Bereavement Pilgrimage for Parents Yorkshire 2026

Yorkshire Bereaved Parents Pilgrimage

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.

We will walk as a group of up to 20 pilgrims through the Yorkshire countryside, encountering all sorts of places and engaging in various pilgrim practices. Our journey concludes on the third day where the river meets the ruins of Bolton Priory.  

"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." - Bereaved Parents Pilgrim

This is our first journey of this type in Yorkshire, get a feel for the experience with this video of our Sussex equivalent:

The Journey:

Day 1: 9 miles

We begin beside the river in Kettlewell, before climbing the ridge to join an ancient track. With majestic views over the valley, we'll find our way through ancient settlements and cairns, breathtaking geological features, and breezy hilltops filled with skylark song, culminating in a lesser known henge. We then walk down to Grassington to find our transfers to the overnight accommodation for personal retreat time, our evening meal and an optional sharing circle.
3 big hills, last one very steep. Stiles and tall stone steps.

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Day 2: 8 miles

We spend the day with the river, taking in weirs, Anglo-Saxon churches and wildlife. Will you choose stepping stones or the suspension bridge? There is an opportunity for a wild swim in the river. We finish at the bridge at Barden before heading to the overnight accommodation.
Undulating or flat paths, some steps and stiles in places. Stepping stones and suspension bridge (stepping stones can be avoided).‍

Day 3: 6.5 miles

Returning to Barden Bridge, our final day continues with the river, on an undulating path through woodland. From views over the Strid to the secluded waterfall at the Valley of Desolation, we conclude with a silent procession to Bolton Abbey ruins for our final honouring ceremony. There will be time at the end to explore the priory ruins and abbey or take refreshment before transfers back to Kettlewell or Skipton.
One big hill, some short but steep rises and steps. Access to waterfall via small rocks.

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 low-cost basis enabling more people to take part.

‍Our Approach

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

Helena Grace and her son Matthew

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 previous pilgrimages 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.

‍Your Guides - BPT's historian, naturalist and pilgrim Dawn Champion plus Nicola Marshall, a bereaved parent herself who now works as a Grief counsellor, Coach and NLP practitioner specialising in helping people work through grief and loss. 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+
• 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 a bunk barn
• Good nourishing meals catering for all dietary requirements (see below).
• Baggage transfer
• Transfers to accommodation.

Food - a simple breakfast will be provided on Saturday and Sunday. Pilgrims will be required to pay for their own packed lunch and dinner. Packed lunches are available to buy in the village stores at each location. We’ll arrange food for the group each evening but pilgrims will be required to pay for their own meal. Please ensure you tell us of any dietary requirements on your booking form.

Travel and bags - We'll coordinate taxi transfers from Skipton train station to the start point in Kettlewell, and from Bolton Priory at the end to Skipton or Kettlewell. We will set up a whatsapp group in advance so that people can arrange lift shares with fellow pilgrims if you want to make your own arrangements. Your bags will be transferred from Kettlewell at the start to accommodation, and to Bolton Priory to meet you at the end. Make sure you bring a day pack for carrying your lunch separate to your overnight things. Please keep your number of bags for transfer to a minimum. You can park in Kettlewell for the duration with a multi-day parking pass.

What to bring - 3 Day pilgrims to bring packed lunch for Day 1, trusty walking boots, day pack with sun protection/waterproofs, insect repellent, 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 for wild swims on day 2 and any creature comforts required overnight

Toilet Facilities - Toilet facilities vary each day. Your guide will make sure there are additional opportunities for rest breaks in the wild as we go, please bring anything you may need for calls of nature with you.

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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 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.

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. We do have a qualified therapist walking with us in case anyone feels they need support during the journey.

Who can come? Parents and Guardians of bereaved of children aged 3 years and up and their siblings. 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 ensure it is appropriate for you and your particular child.

What are the price options? We don’t want to exclude anyone who would benefit from this journey because of their income. If you are on income-related benefits please contact us as we have a limited number of subsidised places available.

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. Unfortunately this pilgrimage is not suited for those requiring wheelchair or scooter access. If you have a different kind of 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.

Got any other questions? We want to make sure you are comfortable so please contact us at hello@britishpilgrimage.org with anything else you'd like to know.

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