Pilgrims’ Way Stages: London to Canterbury
The ancient pilgrimage route in England links both Winchester and London to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at the Canterbury Cathedral in Kent, England. Followed by kings and fabled in literature such as The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, the modern route follows the historic Roman road and parallels the North Downs Way. Click here to learn more about the history of The Pilgrims’ Way in England.
One of two prominent starting points, the Pilgrims’ Way from London to Canterbury beigns at Southwark Cathedral and follows 10 stages (as described in Cicerone’s guide book) over 90 miles, with stages broken into lengths of 5 – 14 miles. All times are per Cicerone and do not include stoppage times for breaks, meals, etc. Hikers may choose to combine stages or alter the course to visit key landmarks along the route.
SUGGESTED MAPS / APPS:
Ordnance Survey maps are available for all sections of the Pilgrims’ Way. The Ordnance Survey OS Map app is a good companion to the Cicerone guide book and each stage within the book references the OS maps.
OS MAPS: Explorer OL32, OL33, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 137, 150, 173, 161, 162
OS MAPS: Landranger 185, 186, 187, 188, 178, 189, 179, 177
THE PILGRIM’S WAY STAGES FROM LONDON (90 Miles)
Stage 1 Southwark to Shooters Hill
Start: Southwark Cathedral
Finish: The Bull, Shooters Hill
Distance: 8.5 mi / 13.6 km
Time: 4 hrs
Maps: OS Explorer 173, 161 & 162; Landranger 177
Note: Pilgrims wishing to begin at Southwark Cathedral should contact reception in advance o request a formal send-off by the canon-in-residence. Pilgrim passports are available from the cathedral shop.
Stage 2 Shooters Hill to Dartford
Start: The Bull, Shooters Hill
Finish: Dartford High Street
Distance: 13mi / 21 km
Time: 5.5 hrs
Maps: OS Explorer 162; Landranger 177
Stage 3 Dartford to Otford
Start: Dartford High Street
Finish: Otford Pond
Distance: 11.5 mi / 18.5 km
Time: 5 hrs
Maps: OS Explorer 162 & 147; Landranger 177 & 188
Stage 4 Otford to Wrotham
Start: Otford
Finish: Wrotham Recycling
Distance: 5.75 mi / 9.2 km
Time: 2.5 hrs
Maps: OS Explorer 147; Landranger 188
Stage 5 Wrotham to Halling
Start: Wrotham Recycling
Finish: Lower Halling
Distance: 7.25 mi / 11.6 km
Time: 3.5 hrs
Maps: OS Explorer 147 & 148; Landranger 188 & 178
Stage 6 Halling to Aylesford
Start: Halling
Finish: Aylesford
Distance: 4.75 mi / 7.6 km
Time: 2 hrs
Maps: OS Explorer 147; Landranger 188
Stage 6a Peters Village to Rochester **Side Route**
Start: Peters Village Bridge
Finish: Rochester Cathedral
Distance: 4.5 mi / 7.2 km ((9 mi roundtrip / 14.4 km))
Time: 1.75 hrs ((3.5 hours roundtrip))
Maps: OS Explorer 148; Landranger 178
Stage 7 Aylesford to Harrietsham
Start: Aylesford
Finish: Harrietsham
Distance: 11 mi / 17.7 km
Time: 4.5 hrs
Maps: OS Explorer 148 & 137; Landranger 178 & 189
Stage 8 Harrietsham to Boughton Lees
Start: Harrietsham
Finish: Boughton Lees green (near Wye)
Distance: 11 mi / 17.7 km
Time: 4.5 hrs
Maps: OS Explorer 137; Landranger 189
Stage 9 Boughton Lees to Chilham
Start: Boughton Lees Green
Finish: Chilham
Distance: 6 mi / 9.6 km
Time: 2.25 hrs
Maps: OS Explorer 137; Landranger 189
Stage 10 Chilham to Canterbury
Start: Chilham
Finish: Canterbury
Distance: 7 mi / 11.2 km
Time: 2.5 hrs
Maps: OS Explorer 137 & 150; Landranger 179
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PILGRIMS’ WAY IN ENGLAND
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- Pilgrims’ Way Stages: Winchester to Canterbury
- Pilgrims’ Way Stages: London to Canterbury
Husband. Father. Backpacker. Pilgrim. Author.
After years of section hiking the Florida Trail and Appalachian Trail, I set out in 2019 to complete the Camino de Santiago through Portugal and Spain. The experience changed the direction of my life and I’ve been walking in pilgrimage ever since. My recent journeys include the California Mission Walk and England’s Pilgrims’ Way from London to Canterbury. I’m currently walking sections of the Via Francigena through Europe to Rome.
Follow me on social media or walk virtually alongside me on the Sacred Steps Podcast and in my upcoming book, Sacred Steps: A Pilgrimage Journal.