July 19, 2025 10:00 AM - July 27, 2025 7:00 PM
Forest Row (Sussex) to Hoo Peninsula (Kent)
The Pilgrimage is built around our three essential streams – the Practical, the Legal, and the Sacred – all of which play an essential role in restoring the River Medway's health and vitality. As we walk, we’ll clear litter from the riverbanks, host citizen science workshops, and share actionable steps to protect and heal the river – from simple choices like using natural detergents to bold initiatives like our mobile compost toilet; we’ll champion the Rights of the River Medway, urging councils, communities, and individuals to formally recognise and declare that the River has rights; and we'll honour the River, connecting with ancient traditions of reciprocity and reverence while celebrating all that she gives.
Whether you’re inspired to join us for just one step or the entire nine days, you are warmly invited. This is a call to remember what it truly means to be Friends of the River Medway – to listen deeply, learn fully, and stand united – and, in doing so, to reconnect with our role as guardians.
We look forward to walking with the River, and for the River, together.
➡️ Register for free via our Pilgrim Sign Up Form
🌊 For a full breakdown of each day’s path and plans, see the Pilgrim Daily Itinerary
💌 Interested in getting involved? Email hello@formedway.org
📱 Follow us on Instagram for live updates @formedway_
🎁 Give to our Crowdfunder
Each day of the pilgrimage has its own dedicated page, featuring:
Thank you for considering joining the Friends of the River Medway on this pilgrimage from the river’s source to the sea. Whether you’re walking for a single day or the whole journey, you are warmly welcome. Please take a few minutes to read the following information carefully – it contains essential details for your safety, comfort, and enjoyment.
To help with coordination and communication, each day of the pilgrimage has its own WhatsApp group. Links can be found in the Daily Itinerary. These groups will be used for:
A full Packing List is available separately, but key essentials include:
If staying overnight, also bring:
Prepare for all weather conditions and long walking days. We recommend:
If you're joining for just part of the pilgrimage, please plan your return journey in advance. Some locations are remote, with limited or no public transport – especially after dark.
Let someone in the group know your travel plans so we can support safe onward journeys.
Pilgrims are generally responsible for their own meals, unless otherwise stated in the itinerary. On some days, food shops and refill points may be limited or unavailable.
Please ensure you bring:
Shared meals may be offered occasionally – details will be listed in the itinerary.
Accommodation options vary from camping to indoor stays. All details, including contact information, prices, and booking requirements, are included in the Daily Itinerary. Some options require advance booking – please check carefully and make arrangements early. If you run into any issues, reach out to Zofia (details below).
📱 Please save these numbers on your phone and keep a written copy in your bag.
UK Emergency Services:
📞 999 – Police / Ambulance / Fire
📞 101 – Non-emergency Police
📞 111 – Non-urgent NHS advice
Nearby Hospitals:
If you need support at any point during the pilgrimage, please don’t hesitate to get in touch:
Zofia Page – 07713 574 941 – zofiapage@gmail.com
Tristram Stuart – 07960 456 015 – t@tristramstuart.co.uk
Ben Christie – 07957 681 574 – bahchristie@gmail.com
Alec Slater – 07928 945050 – greenswanconsultants@gmail.com
J Julia – 07952 044 846 – jjulia@live.co.uk
🌐 Updates & resources: www.formedway.org
➡ Join our Day 1 WhatsApp Group for Updates
🗺️ Day 1 Route
📍 Meeting Point: Weir Wood Reservoir Sports Club, RH18 5HT | What3Words: ///incomes.servicing.exhales
🛤️ Route: Weir Wood Reservoir, Forest Row → Tablehurst Farm, Forest Row
⏰ Meet Time: 12pm | Departure Time: 16:30
👣 Estimated Walking Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
🏕️ Accommodation (Free): Local homes or hotels. Please contact zofiapage@gmail.com if you need accommodation for that evening.
✅ Reminders & Notes:
➡ Join our Day 2 WhatsApp Group for Updates
🗺️ Day 2 Route
📍 Meeting Point: Football Fields (past the skate park in Forest Row) | What3Words: ///fruits.clocks.casually
🛤️ Route: Tablehurst Farm, Forest Row → Vernons Camping Field, Fordcombe
⏰ Meet Time: 8:45 | Departure Time: 9:00
🍴 Lunch: No Places on Route - Bring Sufficient Water & Food
👣 Estimated Walking Time: 7 hours
🏕️ Accommodation (£10): Vernons Camping Field, Coopers Lane, TN3 0R9
➡ Join our Day 3 WhatsApp Group for Updates
🗺️ Day 3 Route
📍 Meeting Point: Vernons Camping Field | What3Words: ///bulletins.sanded.sketch
🛤️ Route: Vernons Camping Field, Fordcombe → Green Swan Retreat, Tonbridge
⏰ Meet Time: 8:45 | Departure Time: 9:00
🍴 Lunch: Leicester Arms Pub, Penshurst Place, or Bring Picnic
👣 Estimated Walking Time: 6 hours
🏕️ Accommodation (Free): Green Swan Retreat, 5 The Haydens, TN9 1NS
➡ Join our Day 4 WhatsApp Group for Updates
🗺️ Day 4 Route
📍 Meeting Point: Green Swan Retreat | What3Words: ///images.year.stored
🛤️ Route: Green Swan Retreat, Tonbridge → Riverview Campsite, Yalding
⏰ Meet Time: 8:45 | Departure Time: 9:00
🍴 Lunch: Brambridges, or Bring Picnic
👣 Estimated Walking Time: 5 hours
🏕️ Accommodation (£10): Riverview Campsite, Hampstead Ln, Maidstone, ME18 6HH
➡ Join our Day 5 WhatsApp Group for Updates
🗺️ Day 5 Route
📍 Meeting Point: Outside the Boathouse Pub in Yalding (ME18 6HG) | What3Words: ///movement.florists.salads
🛤️ Route: Riverview Campsite, Yalding → The Friars, Aylesford
⏰ Meet Time: 8:45 | Departure Time: 9:00
🍴 Lunch: Bring Picnic
👣 Estimated Walking Time: 7 hours
🏕️ Accommodation (£20-50): The Friars, Aylesford, ME20 7BX
➡ Join our Day 6 WhatsApp Group for Updates
📍 Meeting Point: The Friars, ME20 7BX
⏰ Time: 10:30
🍴 Lunch: The Friars or Bring Picnic
🏕️ Accommodation (£20-50): The Friars, Aylesford, ME20 7BX
➡ Join our Day 7 WhatsApp Group for Updates
🗺️ Day 7 Route
📍 Meeting Point: Outside the Friars Main Entrance | What3Words: ///honestly.corkscrew.drew
🛤️ Route: The Friars, Aylesford → St Francis Church, Strood
⏰ Meet Time: 8:45 | Departure Time: 9:00
🍴 Lunch: The Medway Inn, Wouldham, or Bring Picnic
👣 Estimated Walking Time: 7 hours
🏕️ Accommodation (Free): St Francis Church, Galahad Avenue, Strood, ME2 2YS
➡ Join our Day 8 WhatsApp Group for Updates.
📍 Meeting Point: Outside St Francis Church, Strood (ME2 2YS)
🛤️ Route: St Francis Church, Strood → Rochester Pier → Rochester Castle Gardens → Sun Pier House, Chatham
⏰ Meet Time: 8:45 | Departure Time: 9:00
🍴 Lunch: Bring Picnic
👣 Estimated Walking Time: 2.5 hours
🏕️ Accommodation (Free): St Francis Church, Galahad Avenue, Strood, ME2 2YS
Though this may be the end of the From Source to Sea journey, for us – this represents a new beginning; it is the start of a conversation – one that we hope continues to meander and flow, just like the River.
