Healing Pilgrimage for Parents - 2 Days to Bath

A restorative journey along rivers, over hills and to the ancient heart of Bath, for parents who have experienced difficult births.

Join author and campaigner Theodora Clarke and BPT's Dawn Champion on a deeply restorative guided pilgrimage created especially for parents who have experienced birth trauma. This sacred journey offers a nurturing space for healing, reflection, and renewal, gently unfolding through the rhythm of walking in nature. Surrounded by serene landscapes and supported by a band of fellow parent pilgrims, each step becomes an invitation to release, reconnect, and restore. Fully guided, this pilgrimage is designed to prioritise your rejuvenation and is child-free. Mums or Dads welcome. Step into the healing power of nature and the quiet strength found in movement and shared experience. Children and partners are welcome to join us for tea at the end of the journey in Bath.

The Journey

Day 1 - 9 miles

Meet at Bradford on Avon train station to drop your overnight bag for transfer. We begin our pilgrimage by setting intentions at the peaceful Anglo Saxon chapel of St Lawrence. Taking the waters of a former holy well, we soon join the River Avon, for a meandering journey of labyrinths, meadows, woods and places of peace and stillness. We'll dip our feet in the river before ascending the gentle hill to Bathampton Down for a nourishing meal and our overnight stay at the University of Bath.

Day 2 - 7 miles

Leaving the university behind , we explore the twisting paths through the woods of Bathampton Downs, an ancient place with hidden groves. Downhill to the watermeadows, we cross the river to take a slow but steady path up to the top of Little Solsbury Hill. The climb is worth it, filled with the song of skylarks, the iron age hillfort has inspired many through the centuries. The hill also has a link to modern music culture; the song ‘Solsbury Hill’ (1977), by Peter Gabriel, records a spiritual experience by the artist on top of the hill. From here, it's gentle a downhill route to the canal path, a peaceful way to enter the city, before finishing at Bath Abbey.

Accommodation - Single rooms are offered at Bath University. Low cost and simple, your room has an en-suite shower, toilet and sink, with shared kitchen facilities. If you prefer to arrange your own accommodation nearby you can leave and rejoin the group by taxi (at pilgrim's own expense).

Food - Pilgrims will need to bring their own packed lunch for Day 1. Evening meal, breakfast and packed lunch on Day 2 is included. Don't forget to tell us about your dietary requirements when booking.

Toilets - There are plenty of toilets along the way. Each day there may be a couple of hours' walking between facilities in places but usually no more than a hour. We recommend bringing some tissue, hand sanitiser, and a small plastic bag for any sudden calls of nature between comfort breaks.

Travel and bags - Pilgrims will need to make their own travel arrangements to Bradford on Avon on Saturday and from Bath on Sunday. We will set up a WhatsApp group in advance so that people can arrange lift shares with fellow pilgrims. Bradford on Avon can be reached by train and bus. Bath has plenty of train and bus connections. If you are driving we recommend you park in Bath and transfer to Bradford On Avon by train, for an easy get away at the end.

Your bags will be transferred to the accommodation and for collection at the end of the journey. Make sure you bring a day pack for carrying your lunch and weather gear separate to your overnight things.

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FAQ’s

‍Who can come? Any parent over 18 who has experienced mental or physical birth trauma.

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? We'll create opportunities for sharing and discussion, but this is not compulsory. You can choose to sit it out or simply sit and listen without pressure or judgement.  

Are there fitness or access limitations? This route involves stiles, steep hills, some walking on quiet roads. In wet weather conditions may be muddy underfoot. 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. This pilgrimage is not accessible for mobility aids 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. 

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 offer some discounted places to pilgrims on certain types of income-related Universal Credit, PIP, DLA ESA , JSA etc. Contact us to find out if you qualify.

What does the price cover? 20% of the ticket fee is VAT. 10% of funds raised are donated to the places we visit along the route. Around 50% of your ticket covers the costs of providing the journey, including research and route surveys. Any remaining funds support our charitable work including thousands for free resources to enable people to make their own journeys. For more details about our charitable activities, please check here.

What is your refund policy? See our full policy on cancellations, postponements and ticket transfers here: https://www.britishpilgrimage.org/resources/guided-pilgrimage-refund-policy

If you would like to make a donation to support a place for someone on low income, please click here. 

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