Description text goes hereTotal Distance: Approx 70 miles 

Duration: 10 days 

Daily Distance: 4-12 miles per day 

Terrain: River paths, woodland trails, urban walking routes, marshland, towpaths, and estuary crossings

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate depending on stage

Public Transport: Train and bus access available for many stages

Accommodation: Camping, church halls, community hosting, and pilgrim-friendly stays

Navigation: Printable + mobile route guidance coming soon

The pilgrimage is free to register and open to all participants. While there is no registration fee, pilgrims are responsible for their own personal expenses, including food, accommodation, and travel. Where needed, participants are encouraged to seek personal fundraising or crowdfunding support.

Donations are warmly welcomed, as we rely on them to help make the pilgrimage possible and sustainable. You can donate here.

Accommodation during the pilgrimage will include:

• Campsites

• Church halls

• Community-hosted stays

• Pilgrim-friendly accommodation providers

Each accommodation listing will include:

• Estimated costs

• Booking details

• Accessibility information

Pilgrims are responsible for their own accommodation and related expenses.

Saturday 18 July - Opening Day (Full schedule below)

• 2-5 hours walking (varies by section)

• Meet: 8:30am for core pilgrims (i.e., those joining the whole pilgrimage)

• Opening Ceremony Start: 2pm 

• Accommodation: local homes 

Sunday 19 July

Forest Row to Fordcombe

• 7-8 hours walking

• Meet: 8:30am

• Camping: £10

Monday 20 July

Fordcombe to Tonbridge

• 6 hours walking

• Meet: 8:30am

• Accommodation TBC

Tuesday 21 July

Tonbridge to Yalding

• 5-6 hours walking

• Meet: 8:30am

• Camping: £10

Wednesday 22 July

Yalding to Maidstone

• 4-5 hours walking

• Meet: 8:30am

• Accommodation TBC

Thursday 23 July

Maidstone Engagement Day | Maidstone to Aylesford  (Full schedule below)

• 2 hours walking

• Meet: 8:30am

• Accommodation at The Friars: £20-50

Friday 24 July

Aylesford Rights of Rivers and Councillor Confluence

• Accommodation at The Friars: £20-50 

Saturday 25 July

Aylesford to Rochester

• 7 hours walking

• Meet: 8:30am

• Accommodation TBC

Sunday 26 July

Rochester Engagement Day (Full schedule below)

• Meet 8:30am 

Monday 27 July 

Sail from Rochester to Estuary (Full schedule below)

• Meet 11:30am

Maidstone Engagement Day

Thursday 23 July 2026

A major community gathering focused on river guardianship, creative activity, workshops, and public engagement with the River Medway. This day is open to wider public participation and is designed as a key gathering point within the pilgrimage.

Schedule

• 10-11am: Water ceremony

• 11-12:30pm Litter picking 

• 12:30-1pm: Introduction to citizen science

• 1-3pm: Lunch and natural raft-making

• 3-5pm Walk from Maidstone to Aylesford (accessible and step-free paths)

Rights of Rivers Conference & Councillors’ Confluence 

Friday 24 July 2026 - Aylesford

A dedicated day exploring Rights of Rivers, river guardianship, local governance, and community action. Hosted at The Friars, this gathering brings together community leaders, councillors, and river advocates.

Apply for a Place at the Confluence

• Apply via email: hello@formedway.org

• Subject: “Booking: Rights of Rivers Confluence”

Rochester Celebration Day

Sunday 26 July 2026

A closing gathering in Rochester celebrating the completion of the walking pilgrimage and reflecting on the future of the River Medway. This day focuses on heritage, community, storytelling, and collective action for the river.

Schedule

• 9:30-11am: Litter pick

• 11-1pm: How to care for the river - Youth-led council

• 1-2pm: Picnic lunch

• 2-3pm: Banner making

• 3-5pm: Water ceremony

• 6-7pm: Dinner - Fed by the Medway (pre-booking required, details coming soon)

• 7-9pm: River and pilgrim stories (pre-booking required, details coming soon)
  

Journey the River by Water

Monday 27 July 2026

A small number of places will be available to accompany sections of the River Medway Pilgrimage by sail boat. Places are limited and will be allocated through an application process to help ensure balance, safety, and accessibility.

Boat Journey

• 12pm: Sail from Rochester Pier to the Estuary

• 5-7pm: Dinner and shared reflections

• 7pm: Return home 

• Estimated cost: £70-80

Apply for a Boat Place

• Apply via email: hello@formedway.org

• Subject: “Pilgrimage Sail Boat Booking”

Full stage information and downloadable route packs coming soon.

The pilgrimage includes rural walking, urban routes, estuary environments, and changing weather conditions. Preparation guidance will include:

• Packing lists

• Water, food, and accommodation information

• Safety information

Yes, you can join individual stages, engagement events, or the full pilgrimage.

No. The pilgrimage is open to everyone, regardless of belief or background. It is rooted in walking, ecological connection, and care for the River Medway.

You can indicate which days you plan to join in the registration form. Final details and updates will be shared closer to the start date.

Yes. Participants are free to join and leave at any point during the journey.

The pilgrimage includes a range of walking distances, from shorter urban routes to longer countryside stages. Some days are more demanding, but there will also be easier and more accessible sections.

Shorter and accessibility-friendly sections will be available, and participants are welcome to join only parts of the route that suit them.

Yes, though we recommend choosing shorter stages if you are new to multi-day walking.

A full packing list will be provided in the Pilgrim Preparation Pack. You should expect to bring suitable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, water, food, and basic camping equipment if staying overnight.

Facilities will vary depending on the location and accommodation. Some nights will involve basic camping conditions.

We will have a dedicated driver transporting heavy items such as tents and essential equipment between accommodation points along the route. We are currently seeking funding to cover these costs; however, if additional support is not secured, there may be a contribution of approximately £20-£30 per pilgrim to help cover expenses.

Some sections may allow dogs, though restrictions may apply in sensitive ecological areas, livestock zones, or certain accommodation sites.

Yes. All stages and engagement days are suitable for families, but children must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.

We are working to include accessible sections, particularly on engagement days and shorter urban routes. Accessibility information will be included for each stage.