From London to Canterbury via Watling Street
Route map for Chaucer’s Pilgrim’s Way Overview by Andy Bull on plotaroute.com
1 Chaucer’s Pilgrims’ Way
Chaucer’s Pilgrims’ Way: in 7 stages
68.9miles
Stage 1: Southwark to Lesnes Abbey 12 miles
Stage 2: Lesnes Abbey to Dartford 8.3 miles
Stage 3: Dartford to Cobham 10.3 miles
Stage 4: Cobham to Rainham 10.9 miles
Stage 5: Rainham to Sittingbourne 7.9 miles
Stage 6: Sittingbourne to Faversham 10.3 miles
Stage 7: Faversham to Canterbury 9.5 miles
Download maps of the route and follow them on your phone
Should you choose to follow the route outlined below, please be aware of the following disclaimer
You discharge the author, and Amberley, or any associated individual concerned, of all liability for any injuries caused by or in any way related to your decision to walk any of these routes.
Stage 1 Southwark to Lesnes Abbey
Stage 2: Lesnes Abbey to Dartford
Stage 3: Dartford to Cobham
Stage 4: Cobham to Rainham
Stage 5: Rainham to Sittingbourne
Stage 6: Sittingbourne to Faversham
Stage 7: Faversham to Canterbury
Other routes from Southwark to Canterbury
The British Pilgrimage Trust has a downloadable map for a path, called the Canterbury-Becket Way, that runs from Southwark to Dartford, then diverts to Kemsing, where it joins the Winchester to Canterbury North Downs Pilgrims Way [link to that page here]
How to get downloadable maps from the British Pilgrimage Trust
Set up an account – basic accounts are free
Go to this page:
https://www.britishpilgrimage.org/portfolio/pilgrims-way-to-canterbury
Click on ‘Download route file’ Fill in the details requested and then click on ‘Send the gpx file to my email’
I suggest you open the email on your phone.
You will need to have a gpx reader set up in order to open the gpx file.
I use the OS (Ordnance Survey) app, but others are available
When you are asked which application to use to open the file, scroll down the list until you get to the OS app, or an alternative you have downloaded.
Select it and then click on ‘Import’
The map will now open in that application
Public Transport
Compare public transport options on Rome2Rio
Rail: Southwark is served by London Underground stations Monument (District) across Blackfriars Bridge to the north of the start, and Shoreditch (Jubilee)
Along the route there are rail stations at many points. South Eastern serves Greenwich, Abbey Wood, Erith, Dartford, Sole Street (close to Cobham), Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham, Rainham, Newington, Sittingbourne, Faversham, Canterbury
Bus: TfL
Kent County Council traveline
Taxi: London Black Cabs
Dartford Bridge Cars
Rochester Rochester Taxis
Sittingbourne Sittingbourne taxis
Faversham Dolphin Taxis
Canterbury Canterbury Taxis
Where to eat and stay
Southwark Premier Inn food, drink, accommodation
Southwark The George food, drink
Greenwich Visit Greenwich food, drink, accommodation guide
Greenwich Premier Inn food, drink, accommodation
Greenwich The Gate Clock food, drink
Dartford Royal Victoria and Bull food, drink, accommodation
Cobham Leather Bottle food, drink, accommodation
Rochester Travelodge food, drink, accommodation
Rainham Premier Inn food, drink, accommodation
Newington Bull Inn food, drink,
Sittingbourne Golden Hope food, drink, accommodation
Red Lion food, drink
Faversham Sun Inn food, drink, accommodation
Canterbury
House of Agnes accommodation
Premier Inn food, drink, accommodation
Canterbury Cathedral Lodge Hotel food, drink, accommodation
Refectory Kitchen food, drink
Wilding Eatery food, drink
The Parrot food, drink
Pilgrim places
Southwark Southwark Cathedral
Greenwich St Alfege
Abbey Wood
Erith St John the Baptist
Dartford Holy Trinity
Rochester Rochester Cathedral
Newington St Mary the Virgin
Sittingbourne St Michael
Ospringe Maison Dieu
Faversham Shrine of St Jude
Harbledown
St Nicholas’s Hospital They say: ‘Please respect the privacy of the residents of the alms houses. Visitors can walk around the open-air areas of the hospital, but must apply for permission to enter the church.’
Canterbury St Dunstan’s