3-Day Bereavement Pilgrimage to Bath 2026 - for all grievers

This 3 day journey will bring together bereaved people to connect with and support each other using the power of pilgrimage in nature. Your grief is welcome.

In addition to our bereaved parents pilgrimage, this journey is open to anyone who has experienced bereavement. We will walk as a group of up to 20 pilgrims through the Somerset countryside, encountering all sorts of places and engaging in various pilgrim practices. Our journey concludes on the third day in the companionship of friends and family, who may join us to walk the last small section to the abbey.

"It was an extraordinary 3 days. I found it profound and powerful. To be guided, have companionship and support in the gentle and strong practice of walking with intent meant I was able to explore, learn about, feel and leave behind parts of my grief."

£300 - standard ticket, including all food, Sanctuary accommodation and baggage transfer.

£400 - benefactor ticket; all the above plus a contribution towards a place for someone on low income

£10 - make a donation and submit the name of a loved one for us to carry on your behalf

‍

Get a feel of what to expect from last year's journey:

‍

Our Approach

"I feel like I have moved on from being on autopilot for 11 years to being in the driving seat."

Our pilgrimage is an inner journey as much as an outer one, deeply connected to the land you move through but created as much by each individual pilgrim. We offer a range of pilgrim practices intended to stimulate heart, mind and body. We take you places of awe and places of stillness. We create moments for sharing, and moments of silence. All of this is offered with the pilgrims at its heart; you are free to participate as little or as much as you like, and we are open to adding things you suggest too.

‍

The Journey:

Day 1: 7 miles, Bradford on Avon to Monkton Combe

We meet at Bradford On Avon station before heading to the Anglo-Saxon church of St Lawrence, to set our intentions for the journey ahead. We take the healing waters of a holy well and follow the river, pausing at weirs, exploring labyrinths, and dwelling in nature. Finding peace and stillness along the way, we might dip our toes in the cool water before turning to Monkton Combe for a freshly prepared meal and our nights rest.

Day 2: 8.5 miles, Monkton Combe to Upper Swainswick

Returning to the river, we walk to Warleigh Weir before ascending Bathampton Down for our first spectacular views. Exploring woods, rocks and wildlife, we then cross the watermeadows to encounter Little Solsbury Hill. This iron age hillfort is filled with skylarks, and is the setting for Peter Gabriel's song Solsbury Hill. We then make our way to the church in Upper Swainswick for our night in Sanctuary.

Day 3: 7 miles

From Upper Swainswick we wander to All Saints Woolley, crossing rolling hills to St Mary's Charlcombe with its pretty holy well. From there we explore woodland before meeting up with our (optional) final day companions. We'll cross through the Royal Crescent, before turning to the river for one final time. A silent procession along the river path finishes with a final release to the water. We then make our way to Bath Abbey for our final honouring ceremony. From here pilgrims can choose to stay another night in traditional accommodation or make their way homewards from the nearby bus and train station.

Expect a mix of terrain, from flat solid river paths to very steep hills up and down.

‍

‍Carry My Loved Ones

If you are unable to make this journey but would like us to walk on your behalf, you can submit the name of a lost loved one along with a donation. Names of loved ones will be printed and carried by the group, who will honour their names during moments of remembrance and at the closing of the pilgrimage. The donation enables us to run this pilgrimage on a cost-neutral basis enabling more people to take part.

‍

Your Guides - BPT's historian, naturalist and pilgrim Dawn Champion and Ruth Sidgwick, a pilgrim and experienced grief tender to offer emotional care if needed. They will both offer a nurturing, holding space to support you and lead you along a beautiful, wild route. You will receive support when you need it and space when you don't. You can decide whether or not to participate in any practices they offer.

"Dawn was incredibly skilful, knowledgeable and light touch. Brought her heart whilst also highly professional."

What’s Included:

• Fully guided 3 day journey for anyone who has experienced bereavement, whether that is recently or a while ago.
• Various pilgrim practices, such as periods of deliberate silence; barefoot walking; wildflower foraging; stories, songs and folklore; discovering natural beauty and wild places; opportunities to remember and honour our loved ones.
• Overnight accommodation in Sanctuary and a simple breakfast (see below).
• Baggage transfer
• Evening meals

Sanctuary - adopt the simple life and sleep as a pilgrim. We’ll share a sleepover on the floors of Monkton Combe Village Hall and Upper Swainswick Church, both of which have modern toilets/wash facilities. An airmat, sleeping bag, silk liner and inflatable pillow are provided by the British Pilgrimage Trust, or you can bring your own. You also have the option to make your own arrangements to sleep separately in traditional accommodation nearby with a taxi transfer if you prefer.

Food - a simple breakfast will be provided on Saturday and Sunday, and evening meals on Friday and Saturday. Packed lunches are available to buy in the village stores along the way and we recommend pilgrims bring their own snacks. We’ll arrange food in advance and cater for any dietary requirements. Please ensure you tell us of any dietary requirements on your booking form.

Travel and bags - Pilgrims will need to make their own travel arrangements to Bradford on Avon on Friday and from Bath on Sunday. We will set up a whatsapp group in advance so that people can arrange lift shares with fellow pilgrims. Your bags will be transferred between overnight locations, make sure you bring a day pack for carrying your lunch separate to your overnight things. Bradford on Avon can be reached by train and bus.

What to bring - packed lunch for Day 1, trusty walking boots, day pack with sun protection/waterproofs, water bottle or thermos, something dry to sit on (a carrier bag is fine) and overnight bag with wash bag, travel towel, earplugs, change of comfortable clothes, swimming things if taking a wild swim in the river.

Toilet Facilities - There are toilet facilities roughly mid way through each day’s journey. Your guide will make sure there are additional opportunities for rest breaks in the wild as we go.

‍Who can come? Anyone who has experienced a bereavement. Under 18's must be accompanied by an appropriate adult. If you wish to bring a child under 16, please contact us so we can discuss the journey with you to make sure the experience will be appropriate for you and your child.

Is this religious? This is a faith-neutral pilgrimage including a variety of traditions and practices. We operate a “Bring Your Own Beliefs” policy, where pilgrims can choose when to engage and participate. We ask that all pilgrims respect one another, whatever their beliefs.

Will I be asked to share my feelings with the group?  There will be no compulsory group sharing moments. We do offer a sharing circle each evening, but you don't have to participate, or you might just want to sit and listen. You can choose to be in silence for all or part of the pilgrimage and this will be respected by other group members.

Are there fitness or access limitations? This route involves stiles, some very steep hills, and conditions may be uneven underfoot in places. Pilgrimage is moderately intense; if you find walking all day a challenge, this type of pilgrimage may be an unsuitable activity for you right now. Unfortunately this pilgrimage is not suited for mobility-impaired people or those requiring wheeled access due to the terrain. If you have other access needs please get in touch to discuss how we can best include your individual requirements. Each day has at least one big hill.

Can I bring my dog? Sadly not - we can’t accommodate dogs on our guided pilgrimages. However, if you have a registered assistance dog, they are welcome.

Do you offer concessions? We have a limited number of subsidised places for pilgrims on certain types of income-related Universal Credit, PIP, DLA ESA , JSA etc. Contact us to find out if you qualify.

What's your refund policy? See further detail here.