Pilgrims’ Way Stages: Winchester 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 Winchester to Canterbury follows 15 stages (as described in Cicerone’s guide book) over 133 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:
Google Maps Route from Winchester to Canterbury
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 WINCHESTER (133 Miles)
Stage 1 Winchester to Alresford
Start: Winchester Cathedral
Finish: The Cricketers, Alresford
Distance: 9 mi / 14.4 km
Time: 5 hrs
Maps: OS Explorer OL32; Landranger 185
Note: Pilgrims wishing to begin at St. Swithun’s Shrine in the cathedral should contact reception in advance (Phone: 01962 857200) to ensure free entry and formal send-off by the canon-in-residence. Pilgrim passports are available from the cathedral shop.
Stage 2 Alresford to Alton
Start: The Cricketers, Alresford
Finish: Alton
Distance: 12 mi / 19.3 km
Time: 5 hrs
Maps: OS Explorer OL32 & OL 33; Landranger 185 & 186
Stage 3 Alton to Farnham
Start: Alton
Finish: Farnham
Distance: 11 mi / 17.7 km
Time: 5 hrs
Maps: OS Explorer 144 & 145; Landranger 186
Stage 4 Farnham to Guildford
Start: FarnhamFinish: St. Catherine’s Village, Guildford
Distance: 10.5 mi / 16.8 km
Time: 4 hrs
Maps: OS Explorer 145; Landranger 186
Stage 5 Guildford to Box Hill
Start: St. Catherine’s Village, GuildfordFinish: Westhumble, Box Hill
Distance: 13.5 mi / 21.7 km
Time: 6 hrs
Maps: OS Explorer 145 & 146; Landranger 186 & 187
Stage 6 Box Hill to Merstham
Start: Westhumble, Box Hill
Finish: Quality Street at Merstham
Distance: 9.75 mi / 15.6 km
Time: 3.5 hrs
Maps: OS Explorer 146; Landranger 187
Stage 7 Merstham to Oxted
Start: Quality Street at Merstham
Finish: Chalkpit Lane, Oxted
Distance: 8 mi / 12.8 km
Time: 3 hrs
Maps: OS Explorer 146; Landranger 187
Stage 8 Oxted to Otford
Start: Chalkpit Lane, Oxted
Finish: Otford
Distance: 12 mi / 19.3 km
Time: 5 hrs
Maps: OS Explorer 146 & 147; Landranger 187 & 188
Stage 9 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 10 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 11 Halling to Aylesford
Start: Halling
Finish: Aylesford
Distance: 4.75 mi / 7.6 km
Time: 2 hrs
Maps: OS Explorer 147; Landranger 188
Stage 11a 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 12 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 13 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 14 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 15 Chilham to Canterbury
Start: Chilham
Finish: Canterbury
Distance: 7 mi / 11.2 km
Time: 2.5 hrs
Maps: OS Explorer 137 & 150; Landranger 179
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- Pilgrims’ Way Stages: Winchester to Canterbury
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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.