The Way of Saint Martin
Pilgrims looking out over Temple Ewell
Take a self guided slow pilgrimage through the Kent Downs National Landscape. The Way of Saint Martin is a new pilgrimage route from Dover to Canterbury in Kent, United Kingdom. The route is a time-travelling slow pilgrimage split into 6 sections linked with public transport.
Follow in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims who travelled from the Continent to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket on a time travelling pilgrimage linking Saint Martin le Grand in Dover with Saint Martin's church in Canterbury. The guidebook encourages the pilgrim to slow down, view the landscape, discover the heritage and look for unusual objects at each location.
The route was launched at the Kent Pilgrims Festival in September 2022 and Alexandra le Rossignol and Liz Garnett have created a video about the route on YouTube.
Follow in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims who travelled from the Continent to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket on a time travelling pilgrimage linking Saint Martin le Grand in Dover with Saint Martin's church in Canterbury. The guidebook encourages the pilgrim to slow down, view the landscape, discover the heritage and look for unusual objects at each location.
The route was launched at the Kent Pilgrims Festival in September 2022 and Alexandra le Rossignol and Liz Garnett have created a video about the route on YouTube.
 Hag stones from Dover beach
Background to the Route
In 2021 Alex and Liz were asked to develop an art exhibition in response to a pilgrimage route from Dover to Canterbury. Their initial plan was to follow an existing route but it became apparent that there was a need to create a new route which would take in the history, architecture, art and people of the area.  Liz and Alex
The Creators
Liz Garnett and Alexandra le Rossignol are two Kent Creatives inspired by the concept of Slow Pilgrimage. Liz and Alex are available for talks about the route and slow pilgrimage. |
 Saint Edmund's Chapel
Walk 1 - Dover to Kearsney
This section of the route starts on the beach at Dover and heads north to Saint Martin le Grande and the Dover Museum followed by Saint Mary's church, Saint Edmunds chapel and Maison Dieu. The route then picks up the River Dour (one of only 200 chalk streams in the world) and heads north to Kearsney Abbey Gardens via Saint Andrew's church in Buckland and Crabble Mill.  Above Temple Ewell
Walk 2 - Kearsney to Shepherdswell
This section heads up onto the Downs through Temple Ewell and Lydden Temple Ewell Nature Reserve and onto Coldred and Shepherdswell. |
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The Creative Pilgrims
In 2019 Liz and Alex formed a group of Kent Creatives to respond to the Augustine Camino pilgrimage route from Rochester to Ramsgate in Kent. The group then went on to respond to their journey with art and have held four exhibitions in Kent. The artists have explored artforms including: painting, sketching, printmaking, photography, ceramics, poetry, iconography, glassworks and mixed media. The group has gone on to walk and respond to The Way of Saint Martin and is planning further pilgrimages, talks and exhibitions. Further details about the Creative Pilgrims and their art can be found on their website. The group can be followed on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Further details about Liz are available from her website and Alex from Facebook or Instagram. |
 Barfrestone Church
Walk 3 - Shepherdswell to Womenswold
From Shepherdswell the route heads across farmland to the church of Saint Nicholas at Barfrestone and a chance to explore a fascinating building before heading to Womenswold  Barham Downs
Walk 4 - Womenswold to Kingston
This is a more leisurely walk which takes the pilgrim across Barham Downs and into Kingston. |
 Coldred to Shepherdswell
The Route
Here is the GPX file for The Way of Saint Martin LINK. It is recommended that pilgrims also use paper maps. The guidebook includes public transport links and refreshment stops. |
 Cottage at Bishopsbourne
Walk 5 - Kingston to Patrixbourne
This walk follows the intermittent river Nailbourne to Bishopsbourne before heading back up onto the Downs and Patrixbourne. |
The Way of Saint Martin Guidebook
The guidebook is available in bookshops and at book signings as well as online at Amazon. The book encourages the pilgrim to explore the local history and landscape and be inspired by historical figures linked with the area. |
 Canterbury Cathedral
Walk 6 - Patrixbourne to Canterbury
Departing Patrixbourne, this section takes the pilgrim into Canterbury along the Pilgrims Way to Saint Martin's church before heading to Saint Thomas' church and the relics of Saint Thomas Becket and then onto Canterbury Cathedral. |
External Links for the route
The British Pilgrimage Trust
Kent Downs National Landscape
Long Distance Walking Association
Pilgrim Ways
The British Pilgrimage Trust
Kent Downs National Landscape
Long Distance Walking Association
Pilgrim Ways