Canterbury Pilgrims Tour including Franciscan Gardens with Wild With Wheels

The Putting Down Routes team and Wild With Wheels are delighted to invite you to celebrate the YHA festival of walking with us.

We will be following in the footsteps of Pilgrims in Canterbury. We will learn about the North Downs Way National Trail. As well as an accessible guided tour of the beautiful Franciscan Gardens, which was created in medieval times as a sanctuary for Franciscan Monks and has seen a variety of uses since. We combine heritage with nature as we connect with the unique architecture, pilgrims stories and biodiversity in the City of Canterbury.

Add in a tour of the YHA Canterbury at the end of the walk, complete with free refreshments and cake.

Event Theme:

🌳 Countryside Walk

🍃 Nature Walk

🏰 History Walk

🎒 Pilgrim History Walk

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

⏰ What is the duration of this event? The walk ends at The Beaney at 2:30pm. You are then welcome to join the North Downs Way team and Black Girls Hike for complimentary refreshments. There is also an opportunity afterwards to visit the YHA in Canterbury with others in the group. Otherwise you are welcome to continue exploring Canterbury's sites of interest at your leisure.

📏 What is the distance of the walk? Town centre walk of approx 1–2 miles. Depending on the abilities of the group. Pace is determined on the day by the participants.  There will be opportunities to stop to take photo's, admire the surroundings or observe items of nature or heritage along the way.

🧭 Where is the meeting point? The meeting point will be shared with attendees prior to the event.

👩🏿 Who can attend this walk? Is this walk open for all to attend? Is this walk for a particular community of people, if so, who? Are family and friends able to attend these walks? This walk is open to everybody and is family friendly. This walk is accessible for all to attend. Suitable for all wheeled equipment and walking aids. Also suitable for all Physical, Sensory and Neurodiverse Disabilities or Impairments. 

👩‍🦽 Is this walk suitable for those using wheeled mobility aids? Or for those with buggies? ALL of our walks are wheel friendly. (Buggies, Rollators, Wheelchairs, Power Chairs, Mobility scooters, Trikes etc). If there are any tricky spots then our support walkers will assist to navigate over, around any obstacles.

🦯 Is this walk suitable for those with those with other physical, learning, or mental health needs? -Yes, suitable for all physical, learning, and mental health needs. Support and carers welcome. Equipment can be provided for those with visual or hearing impairments (please let us know in advance). Wheeled Equipment or Seated Rollators are recommended for ambulatory participants who may struggle with the distance. https://www.lendocare.com/wheelchair-hire-canterbury

🚸 What ages is this suitable for? All ages and abilities welcome.

🚂 Is this walk accessible via public transport? Yes, you can get a train to Canterbury East and West station. Plus local buses run to the town centre. Please note the meeting point for those arriving by vehicle and for those who require a Disabled Parking spot.

🅿 Is there parking? Disabled Blue Badge parking at Orange Street carpark Canterbury. Entrance off of Best Lane CT1 2JB. Details: . Many other alternative car parks for non disabled close by, please see https://www.canterbury.gov.uk/parking-and-roads/find-somewhere-park

🎒 What do I need to bring? Please make sure you bring some water or refreshments. Please also bring any Medic*tion you require, as well as leaving contact details of your next of kin in a pocket in case of emergency. For wheeled users, please ensure your batteries are fully charged, and that you have a blanket or waterproof just in case.

🏞 What is the terrain like on this walk? The terrain is flat with tarmac surface, some pavements and may be crossing some cobble stones.

🚽 Are there toilets nearby? There are toilets at Canterbury West Station, there is an accessible toilet at Orange Street car park, as well as Changing Places Toilet at The Beaney. There are also toilets at Toddlers Cove where we will be passing on the route.

🐕 Is this walk dog-friendly? Support pets and well-behaved dogs welcome. Dogs need to be kept on leads throughout the walk.

☕ Is there somewhere to get refreshments? Please bring a bottle of water or a drink.  We will be visiting The Beaney after the walk where refreshments are provided courtesy of North Downs Way National Trail. There are also lots of refreshment opportunities within Canterbury itself.

🪑 Is there seating options along the route? Restricted seating opportunities. We can offer the seated Rollator, seated tripod walking stick, camping type chairs or seat pads if needed. Please let us know before the event.

🙏 Is there an opportunity to break for prayer if needed? We accommodate any additional needs to take a break for prayer, meditation, and mindfulness. If specific prayer times need to be observed, this should be communicated to the walk leader and we can suggest a suitable location en route if needed.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

📷 Photos or videos are taken during the event for promotional and marketing purposes across the Kent Downs National Landscape, Aspiring Cross-Channel UNESCO Global Geopark, North Downs Way National Trail and Wild With Wheels. Please notify the walk leader of your preferences and complete the consent form here.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This event is part of the North Downs Way National Trail and Kent Downs National Landscape’s Putting Down Routes Project.

The Putting Down Routes project seeks to encourage new audiences from under-represented communities to the North Downs Way National Trail, as well as upgrading and enhancing parts of the trail so they are more accessible to a wider range of people.

The project aims to position the North Downs Way National Trail as a safe, inclusive and accessible destination where all are welcome.

Putting Down Routes is a collaborative project between the Kent Downs National Landscape and the North Downs Way National Trail, working with partners Black Girls Hike and Wild With Wheels. Putting Downs Routes is funded through The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Defra’s Farming in Protected Landscapes.

Host or Publisher North Downs Way National Trail