Bereavement Pilgrimage for Parents Sussex 2026

Losing a child is the most devastating thing a parent can experience. This 3 day journey will bring together bereaved parents to connect with and support each other using the power of pilgrimage in nature. Your grief is welcome.

It is the first of several bereavement journeys we are delivering across the country this year. We will walk as a group of up to 20 pilgrims through the Sussex countryside, encountering all sorts of places and engaging in various pilgrim practices. Our journey concludes on the third day in a procession to the sea.

"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."

‍Our Approach

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

The vision for a bereaved parents’ pilgrimage came from Helena Grace, following the death of her son Matthew aged 23. Based on her own search for healing, she wanted to create a place where grief could be experienced in community and be held by the magnificence and healing powers of nature. She wanted these pilgrimages to revive healthy grieving traditions, where parent’s loss could be shared and dignified and their children honoured and remembered in love. Find out more about 2024's pilgrimage here.

Since our pilot with Helena and Ipse Wilderness in 2024, the British Pilgrimage Trust has been working to develop these further, incorporating suggestions from pilgrims and other expertise. 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.

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The Journey:

Day 1: 8.5 miles

We begin in the ruins of Lewes Priory, setting our intentions for the journey ahead. Passing through the town we head for the hills, experiencing the silence of Bible Bottom valley and the heights of Mount Caburn, a site of prehistoric ritual and burial. From there we spend time in the architectural splendour of Glynde, before crossing country through farmland to Firle, where we rest for the night in Sanctuary at St Peters Church.

Day 2: 10 miles

Rising to Firle Beacon, we’ll take in views of countryside and sea before returning to the valley and spectacular murals of the Bloomsbury Group in Berwick, celebrating turning seasons and cycle of life. Crossing the river at Alfriston, we’ll ascend to the ancient tumuli above the Long Man of Wilmington, before following the footsteps of pilgrims to the remarkable ancient yew at the former priory. Returning to Alfriston we take Sanctuary overnight at the Old Chapel Centre.

Day 3: 8.5 miles

Beginning in The Tye, we take the longer path to wander through woodland and historic villages and emerge over the oxbows. At Exceat, we follow the flow of water down Cuckmere Haven to meet the sea, release our intentions and end our pilgrimage honouring our loved ones, witnessed by the Seven Sisters. We encourage pilgrims to take an optional dip or paddle in the sea to mark the transition and new beginning. When ready, pilgrims return to Exceat to make their journeys home.

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 carried by the group, who will honour them during moments of remembrance and at the closing of the pilgrimage. The donation enables us to run this pilgrimage on a low-cost basis enabling more people to take part.

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Your Guides - BPT's historian, naturalist and pilgrim Dawn Champion plus Helena Grace as a pilgrimage supporter 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 parents grieving children age 3+ with companions on final day
• 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

Sanctuary - adopt the simple life and sleep as a pilgrim. We’ll share a sleepover on the floors of St Peters Firle and the Old Chapel Centre, 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 if you prefer. Firle has several options from the Ram Inn and some AirBnB's, Alfriston offers lots of traditional accommodation within a very short walking distance of our stopping place.

Food - fully included this year. A simple breakfast and packed lunches will be provided on Saturday and Sunday, dinner on Friday and Saturday is prepared by Lewes Community Kitchen. 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 Lewes on Friday and from Exceat 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. Lewes can be reached by train and bus. Exceat connects to Brighton and Eastbourne by bus.

What to bring - 3 Day pilgrims to bring packed lunch for Day 1, trusty walking boots, day pack with sun protection/waterproofs, insect repellant and suncream, water bottle or thermos, something dry to sit on (a carrier bag is fine) overnight bag with wash bag, travel towel, earplugs, change of comfortable clothes, swimming things if taking a dip in the sea on Day 3. Cuckmere Haven is a stony beach so if you have beach shoes you might want those too.

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.

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FAQ’s

Is this religious? This is not a faith-based pilgrimage and is open to everyone, of any or no faith. We adopt a Bring Your Own Beliefs ethos, and expect pilgrims to respect each other. You are free to engage with places and practices as you wish. We visit a variety of pilgrim places including ancient trees, wild water, hilltops, ancient monuments and historic churches. We do not lead group prayers or formal worship but give pilgrims time and space in all these places of peace for contemplation, meditation or other personal practices as you prefer.

Will I be asked to share my feelings with the group? There will be no compulsory group sharing moments. We offer sharing circles in the evening, where you can choose to share, simply listen to others or sit it out. We also offer optional themed conversation prompts each day. You can even choose to be in silence for all or part of the walk and this will be respected by other group members.

Is this therapy? This pilgrimage is not formal therapy, rather an informal journey surrounded by a mutually supportive group who have shared your lived experience. You will be guided through a range of pilgrimage practices which have therapeutic benefits, but there is no formal therapy or counselling involved.

Who can come? Days 1-3: Parents and Guardians of bereaved of children aged 3 years and up and their siblings. Under 16's may come with an appropriate supervising adult, bearing in mind the walking distance each day. If you'd like to bring an Under 16 for the full 3-Day pilgrimage please contact us to discuss the journey in more detail, to make sure it is appropriate for them.

Do you offer concessions? We have a limited number of subsidised places for pilgrims who receive income-related benefits, such as JSA, UC, DLA etc. Contact us to check your eligibility.

Are there fitness or access limitations? Pilgrimage is a moderate activity. If you struggle to walk all day or up steep hills, this type of pilgrimage may be an unsuitable activity for you right now. There are always plenty of escape points en route. But we will walk slowly, and start early, giving us time to walk the distance. This route includes some steep hills and stiles, and we walk at a moderate pace (around 2mph). Unfortunately this pilgrimage is not suited for those requiring wheelchair or scooter access. If you have a mobility impairment please contact us so we can discuss your particular access requirements.

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.