Walking the Augustine Camino (part 1): Aylesford Priory and Aylesford Village | Emm in London

Early October brought the last week of Summer weather before the Autumn rains set in and proved to be a perfect time to walk the Augustine Camino.  Bookended by the historically important city of Rochester on the River Medway and by the maritime and seaside town of  Ramsgate on the English Channel near the mouth of the River Stour, criss-crossing over the North Downs and through orchards, vineyards and nature reserves, taking in ancient villages, traces of Roman, Norman, medieval and later life, plus the Unesco World Heritage city of Canterbury and its extraordinary cathedral, the camino packs a huge amount of interest and contrast into its 100-odd kilometers.

Walking in the footsteps of more than a thousand years of other earlier pilgrims you can’t help but be moved and impressed by that fascinating and thought-provoking experience and feel some of the energy of history seeping into the present day through the cobblestones of the streets, the Kentish rag and flint and the Caen limestone of the churches, the towering oaks and beeches in the woods and the mossy forest floors, the grassy chalk escarpments. 

Seven days of walking averaging about ten miles per day should be doable for most reasonably active people.  Luckily – lots of handily placed pubs for rest and lunch stops, plus a wide range of accommodation for overnight stays – I stayed in a Priory (Aylesford), a number of pubs, a well-appointed shepherd’s hut, the cathedral lodge (Canterbury) and a very comfortable apartment with a view of willows and asparagus fields. 

Andrew’s guidebook is comprehensive without being too weighty and together with his essential GPX files and his reassuring stickers popping up at just the right hesitant moment should ensure easy navigating.  Whether undertaken as a religious and spiritual quest or just a good walk in lovely countryside the Augustine Camino is a winner.  Feet might get a bit sore sometimes, legs a bit weary but the beauty and significance of this profound landscape casts its enduring spell long after the limbs have recovered.

I organized a group of eight of us to walk on the Saint Augustine Camino under Andrew Kelly‘s
leadership. As a group, most of us had walked on other Camino’s together; for some of us,
this was a fourth Camino. On this Camino, my psyche and soul, opened to this inner place of
prayer and spirit which continues to linger with me, more so than with the other Camino walks.
Having Andrew as a guide, made all the difference. His knowledge of history and art and place
across the Kent country side deepened our appreciation of all that we were seeing in the
countryside as we walked. His guidance and deeply spiritual, caring and humorous self set the
tone as we were crossing the many fields of wheat, barley, oats, fava beans and corn, as well
as the fields that were grazing grounds for cows, sheep, goats, and occasionally chickens. We
walked on straight forward, organized paths, and then sometimes we had to bushwhack our
way through overgrown fields. We also came upon orchards offering us the most delicious
cherries, currants and fabulous raspberries. We always had a delightful pub awaiting us for
lunch in the midst of traversing the countryside of Kent. We loved to linger over our food while
we discussed what was coming up for us in the rhythmic walking on our long mornings of
walking. We had experiences of timelessness during which we stopped thinking about when
we would arrive and how long it would take to reach our destination or calculating how many
miles we had completed. The walking became a meditative experience with surprises along
the way. We found various companions switching out in different pairings as we continued our
walk to our next destination. The experience was punctuated by old churches, with many
layers of architectural styles from the early Roman through the Norman through the Gothic
through the Victorian up to the present. Andrew helped us see and understand the
congregations that have been formed in these churches, and we spent time just settling in to
the sacred spaces and allowing ourselves to be open to the centuries of worshipers whose
spiritual experience and religious imagination manifested in gorgeous carvings, paintings and
stained glass windows.
One major event was evensong at the Canterbury Cathedral, where we were recognized as a
group of pilgrims that was present in the service, and then invited afterwords for a blessing by
the priest. It was very moving, and many of us cried, feeling, indeed, that we were blessed
pilgrims.
We completed this Camino at Ramsgate, and received our certificates of completion in the
church of Saint Augustine, whose history followed us from the very beginning of our Camino at
Rochester Cathedral. We learned all about St Augustine who was sent from Rome by pope
Gregory the great to convert the English. We could see his influence in every church along our
route as Christianity spread from his initial landing in 597 CE. The beauty of the Spirit of Saint
Augustine‘s mission in England was so manifest in this church of Saint Augustine, which is an
active, alive, worshiping congregation. After receiving our certificates, each one of us spoke to
Andrew of the blessing and joy that his presence brought to us through this Camino journey.
Diane Deutsch, Ph.D

Walking from Rochester Cathedral to St Augustine’s in Ramsgate was a journey of a lifetime. Being guided on the Augustine Camino by Andrew Kelly was a great experience, and I don’t know how we would have done it without him. Our pilgrim group were all from the USA, with some knowledge and much interest in the history of the Christian faith in Britain. The worship experiences blessings we were given in churches felt imbued with grace by the people who had prayed in those spaces for centuries. Andrew coordinated all our experiences, and was a geographical and educational guide, ably and warmly assisted by his wife Paula who transported our belongings from place to place every day.

Most of us in our group were retirement age, but Andrew had so carefully segmented and mapped out the pilgrimage that we were comfortable with the distances we walked. The accommodations were comfortable and, occasionally, historic, and the meals at the lodgings and elsewhere were great. We were blessed with astoundingly fine weather: Camelot-like, it only rained at night or when we were in a pub for a lunchtime break!

As an American, a citizen of a young country, I was intrigued by the long histories in all the places we visited—from the 13^th c Carmelite Priory at Aylesford to the Isle of Thanet where Julius Caesar landed more than two thousand years ago and where St Augustine came ashore in the late 6^th c. (Our Cathedral guide in Canterbury said she loved touring Americans around because we said, “Wow!” to any date earlier than the 16^th c.)  

Also as an American, I was wowed by the freedom to walk on paths through all kinds of properties. We walked through wheat, corn, and bean fields, vineyards, pastures with sheep and cattle, using our walking sticks to clear the foliage from in front of us, and helping one another climb over stiles. We walked through cherry and apple orchards, cane of raspberries, fields of black currants. One time we paused in high thistles as we were surrounded by a rhapsody of orange and black butterflies. Another time we fed horses apples out of our hands. I fell in love with the gentle, fertile beauty of Kent.

In recent years I’ve walked two Ways to Santiago (Portugués and Francés) and also the Kumano Kodo in Japan. Each Camino has had its special blessings, and so did this one in England. I came away with much more understanding of the religious and political history of Great Britain, which so influenced my own country, as well as an immense appreciation for the beauty of the land. The pilgrimage on the Augustine Camino was deeply refreshing to body, mind, and soul. Andrew made it all possible, by God’s grace.

The Augustine Camino was a delightful exploration of the Kent countryside and  its setting for the birth and growth of English Christianity. Andrew was a knowledgeable guide who brought to life the history oozing from the villages and towns through which we passed. Nothing was too much trouble for him, and his relaxed and positive approach ensured we enjoyed the pilgrimage to the full and benefited physically, mentally and spiritually. Receiving blessings in Rochester Cathedral and Canterbury Cathedral, and participating in Evensong in Canterbury, Compline at Aylesford and Mass at St Augustine’s in Ramsgate were highlights for me.

The itinerary was interesting and varied, so that one night we were staying in a 13^th century friary, the next in a country pub and another in a comfortable hostel. The landscape between was varied too – hop fields and vineyards, rolling hills and marshes, with a generous sprinkling of picture postcard villages and plenty of country churches.

Although we received less pre-walk information than I’d found on other long distance walks, everything went smoothly – thanks to Andrew’s long experience and also, I suspect, to his wife Paula, who transported bags between several stopovers and no doubt did a lot more behind the scenes. We very much enjoyed the company of Charlie, Andrew & Paula’s son, and hope he’ll go on to enjoy more pilgrimages in the future.

We were blessed with wonderful weather and a really lovely group of pilgrims. I hardly dare hope that these conditions could prevail yet again, but I would love Andrew to design a walk in the footsteps of our local Winchcombe saint, St Kenelm.

Andrew has done a great job mapping out a route for the Augustine Camino.  I thoroughly enjoyed walking through parts of the Kent countryside I had never seen before.  Andrew has a wealth of knowledge and is a wonderful guide.  He and his family make a fantastic team!  Together they made it easy for me to join with other pilgrims in walking this historical and pleasant way.  This walk has also helped nourish my faith and allowed me to make connections with fellow pilgrims.  Thank you!

I thoroughly endorse the testimonial of my friends in September 2021, I am so pleased I got to do the Rochester to Canterbury leg of the journey and would have no hesitation in walking with Andrew in the future. I look forward to the possibility of doing so.

If you are looking for a long distance walk providing a mix of exercise, mental well being, beauty, history, culture, spirituality and laughter, then Andrew’s Camino will be perfect for you.

My friend and I have just completed the first five days of Andrew’s Camino, beginning our pilgrimage at Rochester Cathedral, with a short tour and a blessing, and ending with evensong and a blessing at Canterbury Cathedral, a very moving experience.

Having lived in Medway, Kent, for almost fifty years, the Camino is on my doorstep, but Andrew helped me discover some stunning Kent countryside and beautiful churches previously unknown to me.

I was part of a lovely group of people, who formed a strong bond of companionship as we fell into step on the first day, and progressed through the week in perfect walking weather.

As we walked through the gently rolling landscape of  woodland, crop fields, vineyards, orchards and grazing land, visiting beautiful old churches, picturesque villages, and learning so much from Andrew and each other, I could feel nature helping me find peace and calm in the midst of a busy, hectic life.

Andrew is an amazing leader and guide. With his extensive knowledge of the history of English Christianity, and of the architecture, art and culture of all the religious buildings we visited on our way,  he is a great teacher. He has the gift of knowing when we would like to chat to him, and when we want to walk in quiet contemplation.

With our luggage taken care of, thanks to Paula as well, our accommodation booked in advance, and our lunch stops and evening meal arrangements organised, I had no worries at all, and could simply enjoy feeling the benefits, both physically, and spiritually, of being outdoors, walking through Kent with a lovely group of like minded pilgrims.

As we arrived in the beautiful city of Canterbury, and it was time for my friend and I to leave the pilgrimage, I was already thinking how much I would like to join Andrew and complete the journey to Ramsgate before too long.

An image diary by artist and photographer David Wise, of his pilgrimage along the Augustine Camino in October 2022

“Walking in Kent always comes with happy memories having been born and spending 40 years living and working in the County and immediate family still there.

Being a member of the Long Distance Walking Association (LDWA) I saw the Augustine Camino advertised so purchased the walking guide as appeared to be an ideal fit for my next challenge. It proved this and more and after Andrew had provided the GPX file and other useful information I was ready to go.

I decided to undertake the walk in 4 days which for me in the summer months proved perfect to sample the delights of everything the Camino has to offer.

Day 1 was 15 miles and commenced with a first visit to Rochester Cathedral which was beautiful before setting off from the main west door opposite the castle heading to Aylesford Priory for lunch which was the ideal place to rest and reflect on what was to follow. Then on to Thurnham using the guide to visit the places highlighted for an overnight stay in the Black Horse. Bearsted station is only 2k down the road for day walker’s.

Day 2 started with a cooked breakfast to fuel the body to reach Faversham 20 miles away. More undulating than day 1 with extensive views of the Kent countryside. The churches visited en route were lovely and offered a variety of features to take you on a beautiful trip through history. The Carmelite Shrine at Faversham dedicated to St Jude was by far the days highlight. In staying overnight with family I wandered through the beautiful streets of the market town of Faversham to reach the railway station which is en route.

Day 3 was my shortest walking day of 12 miles and started from Canterbury East railway station for a 15 minute journey back to Faversham. Picking up the Camino directly from the station the route combined panoramic views together with sections through woods to join the North Downs Way at Chartham Hatch for a few miles on the approach to Canterbury. Leaving the NDW I wandered through the gardens of the Hospital of St Nicholas,  Harbledown before visiting the 11th century parish church of St Dunstan which through it’s association with the deaths of Thomas Becket and Thomas More is a perfect match for the Camino. On reaching Canterbury Cathedral a visit to the ticket office to obtain a pilgrimage stamp resulted in free entry to the Cathedral and grounds.

Day 4 my longest day of 22 miles started with a visit to St Thomas’s Catholic Church down Burgate from the Cathedral which houses relics of Thomas Becket. A beautiful example of Gothic Revival architecture. Within the 1st mile I had also passed the statues of Ethelbert and Bertha, the ruins of St Augustines Abbey and St Martin’s Church which the walking guide highlights is the oldest in continuous use in the English-speaking world. A beautiful path through the woods led to Fordwich and a visit to the Church which contains what could be the remains of St Augustines tomb. Other delightful villages and the marsh of Stodmarsh led me to a lunchtime stop at the picnic area just passed the Grove Ferry Inn. More easy and flat walking eventually led to Minster which is well worth spending time to explore the Church and Abbey. After Minster arrived at St Augustines Cross and then onward to the coast and the Viking ship. The beautiful cliff top path and the promenade was the perfect way to arrive at St Augustines Church and the end of my Camino pilgrimage. 

The very best was definitely left to the end as St Augustines Church was spectacular as those of you who undertake the Camino will discover.”

David and Paula from ultramarathon company Camino Ultra recently ran the full 70 miles of the Augustine Camino in 22 hours. Read about it here https://www.caminoultra.com/post/augustine-camino

“We were delighted to find this pilgrimage having completed the last section of the Camino de Santiago some years as a group of friends and determined to repeat our positive group experience here in the UK. Andrew’s varied and enlightening route plan, together with recommended accommodation and personal baggage collection, more than met our brief! Spending our first night at fabulous Aylesford Priory really set the tone, allowing us ample time to explore the amazing art and architecture at this uplifting place.  We also thoroughly enjoyed the contrast between our other overnight stays at two farmhouses and a hotel on the actual Pilgrim’s Way.  Andrew’s helpful daily hints and tips via our very own WhatsApp group set us off on the right foot each day and we certainly felt his guiding presence via his distinctive Augustine Camino stickers at critical points. A blessing from the Canon at Rochester Cathedral set us on our way and the exquisite blessing from Canon Jo at our final destination, Canterbury Cathedral, lifted our hearts.  Thank you for your care and attention, Andrew, and best of luck to other pilgrims on the Augustine Camino!”

“I have often heard of walking a Camino being on people’s ‘bucket lists’, but it was not one of mine.  When my friend asked if I would join her, I thought ‘why not’ I liked walking and it was a great way to get away from the ‘Zoom life’ we have developed during Covid, I enjoy walking and it was a chance to see an area of the UK I have not explored before and spend some quality time with my friend after such a rotten year personally.  So, I took on this journey with no expectations.

The journey was one massive history lesson for me.  Andrew was a fountain of knowledge which added so much interest to what we were seeing, where we were walking and who had trodden these paths over centuries.  

The accommodation was better than expected. There were a few hiccups in being able to get some meals, but this was due to the current situation of the pandemic, so I would recommend carrying a few snacks should you need a regular boost of energy.

Seeing Canterbury Cathedral was a highlight, as well as seeing an alter frontal designed and created by some of my peers from the Royal School of Needlework at the Eve song service making the experience more special.

We were blessed with ideal walking weather, and it was lovely meeting new people, all having different goals in why they were participating, but all with a shared love of walking and getting away from life’s busyness.

Thank you to Andrew for making the journey a memorable one, and to Paula for what she contributed ‘in the background’.  I hope to be able join another time to walk the first half we missed from Rochester.

If you are one like me being a bit hesitant about walking a Camino I would say like Nike,  ‘Just do it!’.

“I walked the Camino as my first long distance walk and what an amazing experience it was. Andrew has organised a route which is beautiful and scenic, whilst being informative historically and religiously.

Andrew is extremely knowledgeable about the history of this beautiful part of England, and he is keen to share this knowledge. It was a great pleasure to be able to be able to follow his route and learn about the history of English Christianity, to see amazing old churches, exceptional countryside and have lots of very good local food.

I would heartily recommend anyone considering the Camino to do it. You will not regret it.”

Augustine Camino 2021 – emeritablog: life after work

“Saint Augustine’s Camino from Rochester Cathedral to St Augustine’s in Ramsgate was such a lovely way to explore the Kent countryside. We went in July 2021 when the weather went from unbelievably hot to storms in one week. So thankful the storms & torrential rain missed us. I learnt so much about the Kent countryside, the land there and the history of St. Augustine & his impact on the spread of Christianity. Highlights were many but the blessing in Canterbury Cathedral was very moving and then evensong especially as there so few people & it was the first week of singing post-covid. There was a wonderful stretch near Boughton where we walked through blackcurrant bushes, up through a small wood then down through wheat fields seeing the church in the distance. So beautiful.  

Andrew was amazing re tips and information. Absolutely recommend using his services. The places we stayed in were great & varied & the tours and info made the trip. It was so helpful knowing where to eat/stop. Aylesford Priory was amazing and so quiet (again due to covid). You do need the gpx file as the path doesn’t always match due to farmers ploughing over footpaths and some paths overgrown.   Thanks Andrew & Paula – we will be back to see the short stretch we missed & the few places not open due to covid e.g. Minster Abbey.”

“Seven of us have just walked the route between Rochester and Canterbury.  We had a great time . There were lots of interesting sites to see on the way including beautiful churches but the best thing for us, coming from London, was the chance to immerse ourselves in the country and tread the route that medieval pilgrims took. The accommodation was comfortable and varied and the gpx file was invaluable as some of the footpaths had disappeared under crops.  Arranging to have our bags transported made all the difference to our enjoyment

Andrew has been great. The trip had to be changed twice because of lockdowns and he did all the extra admin without complaint . His daily bulletins pointed out places of interest on the way.  The high point was arriving at the Cathedral and attending evensong which he also arranged. The Seven Sisters – a name we came up with on the route – thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”

“A friend and I walked the Camino over 7 days which I feel is about the right duration : the walking is not challenging but finding the route can prove so occasionally ! We were very grateful for the app Andrew provided and indeed his support throughout . Our accommodation was comfortable and on most days we found lovely places to eat . A highlight was the ploughman’s at the George and Dragon in Fordwich and breakfast at the Sun Inn . From a spiritual perspective we felt a deep sense of peace at Aylesford Priory and walking across Stodmarsh Nature Reserve : a sublime experience . We recommend the pilgrimage highly whether you are seeking spiritual refreshment or a week of escape from the busyness of the world . Andrew made it happen and we are grateful to him” 

“A belated email of thanks for organising our Camino walk in August. Neil and I had a thoroughly enjoyable time, it definitely enhanced the walk to visit Rochester and Canterbury Cathedral’s, and St Augustine’s shrine in Ramsgate. Many thanks for arranging these for us. Everything went extremely well and your organisation was first-class. The places you chose to stay were great, comfortable and welcoming and spaced just right along the route. Each leg was easily achievable and allowed us to enjoy the route and take advantage of the recommendations in the guidebook. We are also impressed that you kept us so well-informed throughout the journey. We would both very highly recommend you. It was also quite amazing how we managed to bump into each other a number of times with no forward planning. It was very good to meet you and have the opportunity to have said thank you face-to-face.”

“I’ve just completed the Augustine Camino (Sept. 2020) and at first I hesitated to use Andrew’s services as my job is to organise logistics so I did think about the DIY approach BUT I am so pleased I did get him on board and would (and have) recommend using his services to anyone. Andrew is deeply knowledgeable not only about the path walked but also about the nice places to stay, eat, places to visit and I found it a great help to have someone with that knowledge when on the road. Also getting the visits to the cathedral and evensong booked was really useful. The route itself is lovely and varied (and mainly flat!) and I enjoyed walking through this beautiful countryside. I definitely plan to go back to some of the places I visited. Also in this time of C19, I want to say that I’ve found all places I’ve gone (food / lodgings) to be very respectful of guidelines, which is reassuring.”

“I did the Augustine Camino in August 2019, starting over the bank holiday weekend.  Before the actual trip Andrew was very helpful, answering all manner of emails and helping me to get ready.  He gave me a wonderful tour of Rochester Cathedral at the start of the trip and I made it to Canterbury 5 days later (although my boots didn’t!)  This walking pilgrimage is the perfect antidote to modern living: peace and quiet!  There are plenty of churches/sites of interest to see as you go, together with some excellent pub fare and some original places to stay the night.  Aylesford Priory I shall remember for a long time to come. All in all, it’s an excellent mix of culture, history, exercise and the beautiful outdoors with a healthy opportunity to pause and take stock.”

“We had a great time on our pilgrimage, everything was organised perfectly and the accommodation was excellent.  We particularly found the blessing in Canterbury Cathedral crypt very moving.”

“Saint Augustine’s Camino goes from Rochester Cathedral to the shrine of St Augustine in Ramsgate, via Canterbury, a total of 67miles (108 Km) spread over seven days using the suggested stages. Although recently developed, the walk visits places rich in pilgrim history, current centres of contemplation and passes through some stunning Kent countryside. Highlights for me included enjoying a filling breakfast in the medieval pilgrim hall at Aylesford priory, walking alongside reedbeds and waterways alive with frog and bird calls in the Stodmarsh nature reserve, sitting in the deep candle lit silence in Canterbury Cathedral Crypt and seeing the largest vineyard in England being created in the shelter of the North Downs. There’s a guidebook and pilgrim passport available from augustinecamino.co.uk which has colour photos, large scale maps and clear route descriptions that mostly succeed in the difficult task of giving enough information without getting bogged down in detail. The route is almost entirely on public footpaths with some walking on minor roads here and there. In some places these paths are little used and might need a bit of opening up. I used GPS several times while crossing large fields where the path had been ploughed away and for deciding on unmarked woodland paths. There is a GPX file available for download from the excellent British Pilgrimage Trust website, though this differs from the guidebook route in places so it’s a good idea to compare them before setting off. The challenge with most English routes is the lack of pilgrim orientated infrastructure and this is no exception, though there are some budget accommodation options. Unusually there is also the possibility of bag transport, support and pre booking of places to stay available via the website. I enjoyed walking this very much and would like to thank Andrew and Paula Kelly for all their work in developing and supporting the route.”

“We walked the St Augustine Camino over 4 days from Maundy Thursday to Easter Monday 2019 and were blessed with summer weather.  The countryside was outstanding, the cathedrals, churches, priories and abbeys made the pilgrimage more authentic as did accommodation in old taverns and hotels. We appreciated Andrew’s assistance to visit historic places such as the Hospital Church of St Nicholas before reaching Canterbury and the church of St Martin which would otherwise have been closed at the time of our walk. In truly ecumenical spirit we were acknowledged as Christian pilgrims in both Canterbury Cathedral (where we participated in Evensong) and later on in the evening, at Mass in St Thomas Becket Roman Catholic Church.”

“I chose to walk the Augustine Camino in winter, which was still beautiful.  Andrew was a stellar guide and helped to tailor the journey to my interests.  If you can take extra days to sketch or journal, do!  There are many natural, manmade, and spiritual treasures to reflect upon along the route”

“I was lucky to walk the Augustine Camino during 5 crispy spring days. It was a very relaxing walk along this old pilgrimage route, passing through beautiful English countryside. We were guided by Andrew Kelly and his wife Paula’s expertise. I’d recommend it to anyone in need of a change or a break.”

“Thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable, well paced and interesting walk. Excellent company, leadership and booklet. I’m really looking forward to the next one!”

“Walking the St Augustine Camino in early April was a relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable experience. Our journey through the gentle Kent countryside took us across farmland, ancient orchards and tranquil Spring woodlands. Andrew our excellent guide, led us at a leisurely pace and described the places of historical importance along the way. His knowledge of Kentish life over the centuries added another layer of discovery to our walk. Taking part in the walk offers the chance to escape the rigours of modern life for just a few days and also the opportunity to enjoy the experience that a shared walk offers. Our arrival at Canterbury Cathedral with a Pilgrim’s welcome from Canon Clare was a very special end to our 5 day camino.”

“I decided to walk just a day of the Augustine Camino having seen the recent Pilgrimage programme on BBC television. Never having done a walk with anybody except my husband and our dogs, I had an open mind but hoped I would enjoy it. I think April was a good choice as the weather was kind to us – neither too hot nor too cold. It was really lovely to chat to the other pilgrims who were all happy to share their thoughts and reasons for walking the Camino as a group. Some had walked other well-known pilgrim routes and shared some of their experiences. I found the walk to be a nice mix of history, countryside and companionship with like-minded people – I imagine it to be a typical modern day pilgrimage. We did stop at several really interesting local churches and the Shrine of St Jude in Faversham, where we were lucky enough to meet a Carmelite monk. I really enjoyed the experience and at the end wished I could have walked one more day to finish in Canterbury and be greeted by Canon Clare at the Cathedral.  I would love to do either another part of the Camino or perhaps the whole walk next time!”

“For anyone who enjoys walking in beautiful countryside, with sweeping rolling hills, and would like a bit extra in terms of English culture and history, I can enthusiastically recommend this trip. The local beer proved popular as well. Kent is famous for hops and beer making.”

“I went on a group tour with the Augustine Camino that was led by Andrew. It was a FANTASTIC experience. Such beautiful countryside. It was hard to believe we were just an hour or two away from the hustle and bustle of London as we walked through fields, forests, and more. Such great history too. So many highlights, but getting to see where the pilgrims from the 1300s — including Geoffrey Chaucer — stayed was a highlight. The private pilgrim tour of Canterbury Cathedral was quite memorable too. Our guide, Andrew, was perfect. He’s a born tour guide and knows both the trails and the history inside and out. I highly recommend taking a walking trip on the Augustine Camino. Ideally do 5-7 days. Or even just a 2-3 day weekend will really recharge your batteries.”