The Royal Kentish Women’s Camino – Day 2 Elham to Canterbury 14 miles

The Royal Kentish Women’s Camino – Day 2

Elham to Canterbury  14 miles

Why Camino?

A Camino means “the way” – a pilgrimage walked with intention. Rooted in Christian tradition, pilgrimage historically offered rare freedom for women to travel, seek spiritual renewal, and build community beyond prescribed roles. This is a two day Camino, however you are welcome to join for either or both sections. This is Day 2.

Women have always shaped the Church be that as founders, patrons, spiritual leaders and community builders and yet their stories have often been condensed into footnotes or briefly acknowledged before attention returns to kings and bishops. This Women’s Camino  opened in 2024 and seeks to redress that balance.

There are three anchor churches on this route and they are physical testimony to female spiritual authority in early England:

• Eanswythe as monastic founder.

• Ethelburga as queen and church builder.

• Bertha (whose story concludes on Day Two) as catalyst for the conversion of Kent.

While grounded in Christian heritage, this Camino is open to women of all faiths or none. You may walk for spiritual reflection, mental clarity, physical wellbeing, historical interest, or simply to switch off from everyday pressures.

Overview

Day Two of the Royal Kentish Women’s Camino completes our journey from valley to cathedral city, tracing the wider legacy of the women whose influence helped shape the English Church,though their central role has often been understated in mainstream history.

We begin at 9am in Elham, walking north through village churches at Barham, Kingston, Bishopsbourne and Bridge before joining the Elham Valley Way and North Downs Way.

Our pilgrimage culminates at St Martin’s Church, opened especially for us, before passing the remains of St Augustine’s Abbey and finishing at Canterbury Cathedral for our pilgrim’s welcome and blessing.

Route Details

Leaving Elham, we follow quiet lanes and paths through a series of historic Kentish villages and churches. As we approach Canterbury, we join sections of the Elham Valley Way and North Downs Way before reaching St Martin’s Church.

St Martin’s is central to women’s church history because it was here that Queen Bertha worshipped in the late 6th century. Already Christian when she married the pagan King Æthelberht, Bertha’s faith and influence were pivotal in his eventual conversion. Her quiet persistence laid the groundwork for the arrival of Augustine and the formal establishment of Christianity in Kent.

Yet Bertha’s role is frequently summarised in a sentence, while the wider narrative centres male ecclesiastical leadership. It is also the oldest church in continuous use in the English speaking world with worship taken place here since at least the late 6th century.

After our talk at St Martin’s, we walk past the remains of St Augustine’s Abbey and continue into Canterbury Cathedral for our pilgrims’ finish and blessing.

A short forest bathing session will be included during the day, offering a final moment of grounded stillness before our arrival into the city.

Regular bus routes run between Elham and Canterbury, and Canterbury is well connected by two train lines.

 Date: Monday 7th September
 Time: 9am
 Cost: £15 per person
 Location: Meeting at Elham  (full details in the booking confirmation email)

 Duration: Please allow approx 8 hours including breaks. Please note timings are approximates and this is a full day event.

 Terrain: Woodland, pavements and fields.

 Distance: 14miles / 22km. A few inclines but overall consistent.
 Food & Drink: Please ensure you have all food you will need and enough water for this walk. We’d recommend 1.5L. We will stop for a lunch so please bring some food with you.
 Toilets: There may be toilets along the route but please be prepared for nature breaks (ie a tree!).
 Dogs: Well behaved on lead dogs are more than welcome to this event.

 Walk Leader:  I am a fully trained Lowland Leader with a enhanced DBS (available upon request) and trained in outdoor first aid. I am also trained and qualified in nutrition, wellness and female health. MJ Outdoor Adventures is fully insured. Your safety is our priority.