Friends of the River Medway
River Pilgrimages
What if river pilgrimages could help heal the landscapes we belong to?
In 2025, we set out to explore that question. Over nine days, we walked the length of the River Medway — from her source to where she converges with the Thames, and flows onward to sea.
And what emerged was a woven tapestry.
9
Days from source to sea
40–50
Pilgrims walking together
From Source to Sea — 2025 Pilgrimage
The 2025 journey
Walking with the River
We monitored the river's health, collected data, and cleared her banks. We held a gathering for farmers and landowners, leading to the expansion of a growing Upper Medway cluster that continues to meet regularly. We organised a conference with leading legal experts to discuss the Rights of Rivers, bringing councillors from across the catchment together for the first time.
We ran an art exhibition with The Medway as Our Muse. We honoured the Medway through ceremony and song, drawing upon ancient traditions to give thanks to all the gifts she provided.
And we remembered: what it means to be in relationship with a river.
"The time has come to set out for sacred ground [...] that will stir our sense of wonder."Phil Cousineau, The Art of Pilgrimage
2025 Pilgrimage
Past Event
From source to sea
This is the full itinerary from our inaugural 2025 pilgrimage — shared here as a record of the journey and a guide for what future pilgrimages may look like. Our next walk takes place 17–26 July. Sign up here →
Saturday 19 July 2025 — Day 1
Official Opening — Weir Wood to Forest Row
Meeting Point
Weir Wood Reservoir Sports Club, RH18 5HT
What3Words: ///incomes.servicing.exhales
What3Words: ///incomes.servicing.exhales
Route
Weir Wood Reservoir, Forest Row → Tablehurst Farm, Forest Row
View Day 1 route map →
View Day 1 route map →
Accommodation
Local homes or hotels (free). Contact us if you need a place to stay.
Food
Lunch available at Weir Wood Reservoir Café. Dinner at Tablehurst Farm from 18:00.
Day Schedule
12:00Official Opening of the Pilgrimage
12:00–15:00Activities at Weir Wood Reservoir — natural crafts, free paddling and sailing taster sessions
13:00Talk: How Can We Care for the River? with Sarah Butler, co-founder of Ripple Effect
14:00Water Wisdom Art with Niki Rudd
15:00The Power of Pilgrimage with Guy Hayward
15:30Becoming a Friend of the River Medway with Zofia Page
16:00Gentle walk to Tablehurst Farm
18:00Dinner at Tablehurst Farm
20:00Folkadelix at the Village Club (optional)
Reminders
Wear suitable walking shoes and clothes
Bring water and snacks
Join the Day 1 WhatsApp Group for real-time updates
Sunday 20 July 2025 — Day 2
Forest Row to Fordcombe
Meeting Point
Football Fields past the skate park in Forest Row
What3Words: ///fruits.clocks.casually
What3Words: ///fruits.clocks.casually
Route
Tablehurst Farm, Forest Row → Vernons Camping Field, Fordcombe
View Day 2 route map →
View Day 2 route map →
Accommodation
Vernons Camping Field, Coopers Lane, TN3 0R9 — £10/person. Bring tent, sleeping bag, and mat.
Food
No places on route — bring sufficient water (3–4 litres) and food. Donation-based dinner at Vernons: email [email protected] subject 'Dinner Day 2'.
Day Schedule
9:00Start walk from Forest Row to Fordcombe
12:00Ceremony of Recognition at the Confluence of the River Grom — What3Words: ///enormous.newsreel.twinkled
16:00Arrive at Vernons Camping Field
18:00Communal meal
Reminders
No water refill points on route — bring 3–4 litres minimum
Join the Day 2 WhatsApp Group for updates
Monday 21 July 2025 — Day 3
Fordcombe to Tonbridge
Route
Vernons Camping Field → Green Swan Retreat, Tonbridge (5 The Haydens, TN9 1NS)
View Day 3 route map →
View Day 3 route map →
Accommodation
Green Swan Retreat (free). Email [email protected] subject 'Day 3 Accommodation' to reserve.
Lunch
Leicester Arms Pub, Penshurst Place — or bring a picnic.
Day Schedule
9:00Start walk from Fordcombe to Tonbridge
10:00Ceremony of Recognition at the Confluence of the River Eden — What3Words: ///taps.extend.repay
15:00Arrive at Green Swan Retreat
18:00Communal meal
Reminders
Join the Day 3 WhatsApp Group for updates
Tuesday 22 July 2025 — Day 4
Tonbridge to Yalding
Route
Green Swan Retreat → Riverview Campsite, Yalding (Hampstead Ln, ME18 6HH)
View Day 4 route map →
View Day 4 route map →
Accommodation
Riverview Campsite £10/person. Email the campsite directly — mention 'River Medway Pilgrimage' for a discount.
Day Schedule
9:00Start walk from Tonbridge to Yalding
10:30–11:00Ceremony of Recognition at the Confluence of the River Bourne at Bow Bridge
16:00Ceremony of Recognition at the Confluence of the River Beult and River Teise
16:30Arrive at Riverview Campsite
18:00Dinner at The Boat House, Yalding — or cook at the campsite
Reminders
Join the Day 4 WhatsApp Group for updates
Wednesday 23 July 2025 — Day 5
Yalding to Aylesford
Route
Riverview Campsite → The Friars, Aylesford (ME20 7BX)
View Day 5 route map →
View Day 5 route map →
Accommodation
The Friars — 'The Sanctuary' for pilgrims £20/person (limited spaces). Email The Friars directly — mention 'River Medway Pilgrimage'. Standard rooms £40–50/person.
Day Schedule
9:00Start walk from Yalding to Aylesford
9:30–10:00Ceremony at the Confluence of the Wateringbury Stream at Bow Bridge
11:30–12:00Ceremony at the Confluence of the River Loose at Tovil
13:00Ceremony at the Confluence of the River Len at Maidstone
18:00Dinner at The Friars (must be booked in advance — email The Friars directly to book)
Reminders
Join the Day 5 WhatsApp Group for updates
Thursday 24 July 2025 — Day 6
Rights of Rivers Conference — The Friars, Aylesford
Day Schedule
11:00–12:30Introductory Talk: The Rights of Rivers approach to river protection
12:30–13:30Lunch (not included — purchase at The Friars Café or bring your own)
13:30–15:00Plenary: Initiatives in the Medway Catchment
15:15–16:30Curated Conversation: Reflections and Views Around a Declaration of the Rights of the River Medway. All voices welcome.
17:00–18:00Declaration: Opportunity for personal and institutional Declaration of the Rights of the River Medway
18:00–20:00Informal dinner and drinks (not included) — curated conversation with farmers and landowners of the Medway Catchment
Friday 25 July 2025 — Day 7
Aylesford to Strood
Route
The Friars, Aylesford → St Francis Church, Strood (Galahad Avenue, ME2 2YS)
View Day 7 route map →
View Day 7 route map →
Accommodation
St Francis Church — bring a sleeping bag and mat. We will be sleeping on the church floor.
Day Schedule
9:00Start walk from Aylesford to Strood
17:00Arrive at Rochester Cathedral
17:30Evening Song at Rochester Cathedral
EveningPilgrim Blessing at Rochester Cathedral (TBC) — then onward to St Francis Church, Strood
Reminders
Lunch at The Medway Inn, Wouldham — or bring a picnic
Rochester and Strood offer a wide variety of restaurants for dinner
Join the Day 7 WhatsApp Group for updates
Saturday 26 July 2025 — Day 8
River Celebration Day — Strood to Chatham
Route
St Francis Church, Strood → Rochester Pier → Rochester Castle Gardens → Sun Pier House, Chatham
Day Schedule
9:00Start walk to Rochester Pier
9:30–9:45Litter Pick Safety Briefing — email [email protected] to register
9:45–10:45Litter Pick on the Foreshore — Rochester Pier
11:00–12:00Workshop: How Can We Care for the River? with Sarah Butler, co-founder of Ripple Effect — Esplanade Gardens
12:00–13:00Picnic Lunch — Rochester Castle Gardens
13:00–15:00A Gift for the River: Water Ceremony with J Julia and Ellen Kittredge — Rochester Castle Gardens
16:00The Medway as Our Muse Art Exhibition Opens — Sun Pier House, Chatham
16:00–17:00Medway Tales: Listening as the River — University of Greenwich Researchers — Free ticket →
18:00–18:30Reflections on the Pilgrimage with FoRM — Free ticket →
18:30–20:30Fed by the Medway: Donation-based dinner using food from the Medway Basin — Campesina Catering. 100 meals only — book your place →
Reminders
For the litter pick: bring wellies, waterproof clothing, and a change of clothes
Medway Tales workshop has limited spaces — book early
Join the Day 8 WhatsApp Group for updates
Though this may be the end of the From Source to Sea journey, for us this represents a new beginning — the start of a conversation that we hope continues to meander and flow, just like the River.
Walk with us
Join us on the next pilgrimage
17–26 July. Free to join. All welcome. Registration required.