This summer, from 19–27 July, Friends of the River Medway invite you to walk a unique path: a nine-day pilgrimage along the River Medway, from source to sea.
Part ritual, part ecological action, part creative unfolding — this is a journey that threads together sacred practice, environmental stewardship, art, and community connection. An open invitation to move in reverence with the river, to listen to its stories, and to reimagine our relationship with water and place.
The pilgrimage will weave walking with wonder — a living tapestry of citizen science, riverside ceremony, litter-picking, storytelling, song, folklore, and acts of creativity and care. It is not a march of mourning, but a movement of renewal — shaped by joy, reverence, and collective hope. From practical solutions — like a compost loo on wheels — to poetic gestures of devotion, we walk not to lament what has been lost, but to shape what might yet be.
The journey culminates in a day of celebration on Saturday 26th July in Rochester: a gathering of workshops, shared offerings, and Medway as Our Muse — a community art exhibition honouring the river’s spirit and story.
Whether you feel called to take a few steps, a single day, or the full nine-day journey — you are welcome. Please sign up using by clicking the link to the registration form below.
As part of the pilgrimage, we're hosting a community-led exhibition in Rochester on 26th July inspired by the River Medway: Medway as Our Muse. Everyone is welcome to take part, and submissions are open to all.
To register your artwork, please complete the submission form by clicking the link below.
Art Exhibition Registration Form
We are looking for different volunteers to help us both in the planning and production of the pilgrimage. If you are interested in signing up, please contact us at hello@formedway.org or fill out the volunteer sign up form by clicking the link below.
Until now, the pilgrimage has been entirely volunteer-led. We're now seeking support to cover essential costs — such as First Aid kits and training — and to help sustain the vital work of our Pilgrimage Coordinator. Your contributions will also enable us to hire a videographer and photographer to document this meaningful journey. If you're able, please consider donating through our crowdfunding page (link below).
