Pilgrimage Gathering 2025

Event details

Thu

Oct

Thu

Oct

Date to be announced

11:00 am

9:30 pm

Ladbroke Hall

miles

85/60/35

free

Reconnect with our land, stories, ancestry and spirit

Through the day we explore how intentional walking reconnects us with land, spirit, and story. Join folklorists, mystics, historians, and healers as they ask: how do we walk with meaning?

The Agenda

11:00 – 11:20 | Opening Welcome
We open with intentions, grounding, and an overview of the gathering.

11:20 – 12:20 | Panel 1: The History of Pilgrimage
Speakers: Alice Loxton, Luke Sherlock, Daniel Wilson
A sweeping conversation tracing pilgrimage from ancient rites to modern resurgence. Why did our ancestors walk, and why are we walking again today? Pilgrimage as a living compass for times of disconnection.

12:20 – 12:35 | Break

12:35 – 1:20 | Panel 2: Exploring the Archaic Folk Revival
Speakers: Daze Aghaji, Jeremy Deller, Jennifer Reid, Lucy Wright
Across Britain, ancient traditions are being revived — not as nostalgia, but as resistance and re-enchantment. This panel explores the folk revival as a living culture, rooted in ritual, place, and the commons, from punk zines to ritual processions. What might a creative, inclusive folk future look like?

1:20 – 2:20 | Lunch

2:20 – 3:50 | Panel 3: Canal Pilgrimage (Off-site)

Speakers: Martin Palmer, Jonathan Weekes, Zofia Page
We will walk the canal together, nearby Ladbroke Hall, with a discussion of the international Green Pilgrimage and Sacred Earth Activism networks, bringing a global perspective on sacred environmental movements, and stories from a recent pilgrimage along the River Medway, weaving personal insight with reflections on the ecological and emotional journey of walking a river’s full course.

3:50 – 4:05 | Break

4:05 – 5:05 | Panel 4: The Rise of the Cunning Folk
Speakers: India Rakusen, Tabitha Stanmore, The Seed Sistas
As interest in pilgrimage grows, so too does a yearning to reconnect with ancestral wisdom—particularly the magical, medicinal, and spiritual practices once held by the cunning folk, herbalists, wise women and ritual workers of these islands. In this panel, we explore the resurgence of folk healing and folk magic in Britain today: from sacred plant medicine and lunar rituals to the lived history of spellcraft and divination.

5:05 – 5:20 | Break

5:20 – 6:20 | Panel 5: Beyond the Ordinary
Speakers: Rupert Sheldrake, Mac Macartney, Satish Kumar, Guy Hayward
Pilgrimage is a threshold into the unseen — a journey not only through the natural world, but toward spirit and soul. How can walking with intention awaken our deeper awareness, attune us to the more-than-human, open a portal to the mystery and reawaken our inner life?

6:20 – 7:20 | Dinner Break

7:20 – 9:30 | Evening Concert – in collaboration with Broadside Hacks
Featuring reimagined folk songs rooted in the land and its stories, this concert invites us to dance and reflect.

The Location

Ladbroke Hall is an arts and events venue situated in Ladbroke Grove, West London, set in the historic, former Sunbeam Talbot factory.

Tickets

Tickets are limited, and on a first-come, first-serve basis.
‍Click here to secure your place.

All Day - £85
Day only - £60
Evening only - £35

Add ons:
NB most restaurants are a 15-minute walk away from the venue, and you are requested to not bring your own food. You can also eat at Ladbroke Hall's Pollini restaurant.
Lunch Box - £20
Dinner Box - £20
Britain's Pilgrim Places book - £20
‍

The Speakers

**Luke Sherlock** – writer and bookshop owner with a boundless enthusiasm for landscape, heritage and art. Author of *Forgotten Churches: Exploring Englands Hidden Treasures.*

**Alice Loxton** – Historian, presenter and Sunday Times bestselling author who has presented many history documentaries and worked with organisations such as BBC, Sky Arts, Channel 5, Times Radio, Christie's, Sotheby's, The National Gallery and more.

Daniel Wilson is the face of @greatbritisharchitecture on Instagram. A student of architectural history, he started his page as a means to share his passion for Britain’s built heritage. Through his content, which highlights lesser-known architectural and historic gems from rural Scotland to the streets of London, he seeks to engage a broader audience in appreciating the rich architectural heritage of Great Britain. He recently made and covered a pilgrimage to St Davids.

**India Rakusen** is a leading voice as a writer, facilitator, and speaker at the intersections of spirituality, ritual and transformative travel. She made the Radio 4 series, 'Witch'.

**Dr Tabitha Stanmore** – Historian, author, speaker, researcher. Author of "Cunning Folk: Life in the Era of Practical Magic". Tabitha is a postdoctoral researcher on the Leverhulme-funded Seven County Witch Hunt Project at the University of Exeter, and is specialist in medieval and early modern English magic and witchcraft.

**Seed Sistas** – Experts in the study and clinical practice of herbal medicine. Fiona and Kazz are dedicated to natural health, education, and giving a voice to projects that challenge social norms. They work with many charities and organisations including The Eden Project, The School of Social Entrepreneurs, and others.

**Jonathan Weekes** is a passionate advocate for sacred activism, blending spiritual practices with social and environmental justice. As a leader in this movement, he explores how our deep spiritual connection to the earth and each other can inspire tangible action for positive change, focusing on the transformative power of ritual, meditation, and sacred action in addressing the pressing issues of our time. Sacred Earth Activism

**Martin Palmer** is a leading advocate for the Green Pilgrimage Network, an international initiative that explores the intersection of pilgrimage, sustainability, and environmental consciousness. As a renowned expert in religious environmentalism, Martin has worked with communities worldwide to integrate ecological awareness into pilgrimage practices.

**Zofia Page.** Zofia is Zofia Page is involved with **Friends of the River Medway**, an organisation focused on improving the health of the River Medway. She has been working with the group to raise awareness about the importance of river health and its connection to overall well-being an is involved in the River Medway Pilgrimage, which aims to connect people with the river from its source to the sea.

**Daze Aghaji** – is an environmentalist and cultural strategist whose work explores identity, belonging, and our relationship with the Earth. She began in human rights with Amnesty International before co-founding Extinction Rebellion Youth in 2019. Her activism is rooted in grief and love for the planet.

**Jeremy Deller** is a renowned British artist whose work explores the intersections of culture, history, and social movements. He has a unique approach to art-making, which often incorporates collaboration and the exploration of collective memory. Jeremy will offer his insights into the role of art in connecting people to history, place, and ritual.

**Jennifer Reid** – a music historian who performs songs and stories and teaches traditional music and craft workshops. She researches ballads and applies them to modern life, and contributes academically with funded research and artistic projects.

**Dr Lucy Wright** – at the intersection of folklore and activism, and is concerned with exploring folk as an agent for resistance and change. Her decade of work cites research into lesser-known contemporary and female-led folk customs.

**Dr Rupert Sheldrake** – Biologist and author best known for his hypothesis of morphic resonance. At Cambridge University he worked in developmental biology as a Fellow of Clare College. He was Principal Plant Physiologist in Hyderabad, India and was Director of the Perrott-Warrick project for research on unexplained human and animal abilities, funded by Trinity College, Cambridge. Sheldrake has been instrumental in building the British Pilgrimage Trust over the past 10 years, and has many insights to share on what is to come.

**Mac Macartney –** Mac is an international speaker and leadership practitioner with over thirty years’ experience in people and organisation development. Alongside his extensive experience of working with organisations he also founded Embercombe, a social enterprise located in Dartmoor which seeks to explore and promote the profound regeneration of land, society, and people. All of Mac’s work is focused towards the emergence of a just, peaceful, regenerative, and flourishing future for all species.

**Satish Kumar –** Peace-pilgrim, life-long activist and former monk, Satish Kumar has been inspiring global change for over 50 years. He undertook a pilgrimage for peace from India to Moscow, London, Paris and America, with no money and reliance on the kindness of strangers. He is founder of The Resurgence Trust, and educational charity that seeks to inform and inspire a just future for all.

**Dr Guy Hayward** – Co-founder and Director of the British Pilgrimage Trust. Writer, speaker, and pilgrim, has co-authored the book 'Britain’s Pilgrim Places' and has been interviewed about modern pilgrimage for TV, Netflix, Radio 4 and writes for the national media. Hayward completed a Music Psychology PhD at Cambridge on how singing forms community and is one half of comedy singing duo Bounder & Cad and with Rupert Sheldrake also co-founded the Choral Evensong Trust.

What is **Broadside Hacks**? Is it a band? Is it a label? Is it a club? Is it a promoter? It’s all of those things. Simplest to call it a collective, reckons Campbell Baum, its founder. Simplest, as a listener, just to accept Broadside Hacks as a mark of something interesting, of a way of approaching folk music that combines creative freedom with respect for the past. Simplest to understand Broadside Hacks does not mean musicians steeped in the folk clubs, but musicians who have created their own folk club to create their own understanding of the tradition. Simpler than that, it's a group composed of an array of brilliantly talented individual artists – among them Katy J Pearson, Naima Bock and members of Goat Girl, Sorry and caroline.

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Promotional Partners for this event include:
‍Ladbroke Hall – Art gallery, restaurant and centre for events with a conscious focus, with jazz and parties too.
‍Advaya – Spiritual online community exploring holistic practices for personal and collective transformation via online courses and in-person events.
‍Resurgence Trust – Charity promoting ecological awareness, arts, and deep engagement with culture and nature through a magazine, online talks and an annual summer retreat.
‍St Ethelburga’s Centre – Peace-building centre in London fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and social resilience.
Embercombe – Transformative outdoor education organisation inspiring leadership, sustainability, and deep connection to nature.
The Psychedelic Society – Not-for-profit worker co-operative on a mission to create a culture which respects the potential of psychedelics.
‍‍Dark Mountain Project – Network of writers and artists questioning the dominant narratives of our civilisation and exploring new cultural stories.
‍Sacred Earth Activism – Movement combining ecological action with spiritual practice to protect and restore the Earth.
Weird Walk - Creative walking project celebrating curiosity, playfulness, and the unexpected wonders of the landscape through guided and experimental walks.

j.s

Organiser:

The British Pilgrimage Trust

Date and time

Thu

Oct

11:00 am

9:30 pm

About this event

miles

79 Barlby Rd London W10 6AZ

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Date to be announced

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A one day guided pilgrimage experience inspired by the tradition of St Wite, Dorset's patron saint.

Aug

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This is a guided pilgrimage walk from Malmesbury to Kingston upon Thames to celebrate the 1100th anniversary of Athelstan's coronation as the King of Wessex and Mercia. The walk will take place over 11 days, divided into 3 blocks of days, highlighting points with important Anglo-Saxon history.

Aug

Date to be announced

A historic 200 mile cycle ride over the August Bank holiday following the route of the medieval Queen Eleanor Crosses from near Lincoln to Westminster Abbey in London.

This was my first pilgrimage walk but won't be the last. Dawn was an inspiring guide in so many ways - teaching us, entertaining us and caring for us. It was wonderful to get to know new people as we trod in the footsteps of so many unknown walkers who had gone before us. I had a sense of awe at so many points - for the coastal scenery, the birdlife, the ancient trees and for the buildings that had witnessed so much history. And it was such a lovely surprise to be welcomed with tea in Apuldram Church - so very kind. I am very grateful that I could be part of this day.

Heather

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Sat

Mar

The Avebury Pilgrimage was a joyful experience. Guy brought wonder and deep connection to the group experience. The other pilgrims were warm, fun and willing to surrender to this rich experience of movement, landscape, the past and the unseen world all around us. Thank you Guy!

Laura

Sun

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My favourite part was walking in silence and being able to just concentrate on the purpose of my pilgrimage without the noise and baggage of life getting in the way. Abigail was a wonderful guide. She was thoughtful and brought a calm and sense of spiritual purpose to the day. I absolutely loved the walk.

Tamsin

Fri

Dec

Many good moments but two things stand out: Chalice Well and the impromptu singing of a wassail song on the way up Glastonbury Tor, by an apple orchard. It was cold yet rather lovely to do a pilgrimage in the frost. Informed and engaging guide. Friendly and supportive fellow pilgrims. Such a good ethos.

Susan

Fri

Dec

I loved walking through the countryside and the fascinating sights such as the church mill and barrow. The lanterns were lovely too and the Wassail singing and cake were a lovely touch. The arrival at Canterbury was spectacular. It was a lovely day and Dawn is a terrific guide.

Sally

Sat

Dec

Dawn was absolutely brilliant. Brought the group together and was so knowledgeable . Really warm individual and so caring. Just an amazing experience all round. Can't thank you enough for the experience.

Stuart

Pilgrim

Sat

Jan

My favourite part was Dawn singing to us by Kits Coty - sublime when the sun came out for us at the end of the song. Dawn has a lovely sincerity and her singing was wonderful. Also the Canon’s pilgrim’s blessing In Winchester Cathedral was an unexpected and perfect end to the day

Alexandra

Fri

Feb

I enjoyed listening to Guy's singing in the different settings - enhanced the experience and linked us to the past. The whole day was beautifully facilitated with a perfect balance of history overview, time for reflection and walking. It was very special - thank you so much!

Fri

Feb

I signed up on a whim without really knowing what I had signed up to, and it turned out to be the most extraordinary, magical day - starting with Guy's singing in the Chapel and culminating at those fabulous springs. The information, songs, chat and group experience were all wonderful. I can't recommend this pilgrimage highly enough - and I also hugely appreciate all the references in the follow up email. Brilliant. Thank you Guy!!

Amanda

Pilgrim

Wed

Jun

I loved the whole pilgrimage. A day of great connection with people, nature, sacred places, past and present. Also particularly enjoyed Guy's singing which added something special and his commentary. Also the friendliness of fellow pilgrims in the group which was partly enabled by having a buddy and introductory exercise.

Jonathan

Pilgrim

Wed

Jul

Very grateful for the work that’s being done by all who are mapping the routes and sharing their knowledge. All this while I’m still mobile and can join in with day walks ... I asked for the book for my birthday and it has much in it. The Green King though was more my thing, lower key with lots in nature. I am very keen on sacred water sites (following the work of Veda Austin) so would enjoy more of those if possible. One day walks are really fab. Thank you everyone.

Catherine

Pilgrim

Thu

Sep

A fabulous enlightening day. The people, places and fascinating insights - I felt very privileged and grateful.

David

Pilgrim

Sun

Feb

What our pilgrims say

Get started

Pilgrimage Gathering 2025

Reconnect with our land, stories, ancestry and spirit

The Agenda

The Location

Tickets

All Day - £85Day only - £60Evening only - £35

Add ons:NB most restaurants are a 15-minute walk away from the venue, and you are requested to not bring your own food. You can also eat at Ladbroke Hall's Pollini restaurant.Lunch Box - £20Dinner Box - £20Britain's Pilgrim Places book - £20‍

The Speakers

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More events

A one day guided pilgrimage experience inspired by the tradition of St Wite, Dorset's patron saint.

This is a guided pilgrimage walk from Malmesbury to Kingston upon Thames to celebrate the 1100th anniversary of Athelstan's coronation as the King of Wessex and Mercia. The walk will take place over 11 days, divided into 3 blocks of days, highlighting points with important Anglo-Saxon history.

A historic 200 mile cycle ride over the August Bank holiday following the route of the medieval Queen Eleanor Crosses from near Lincoln to Westminster Abbey in London.

What our pilgrims say

All great journeys begin with a single step

All Day - £85
Day only - £60
Evening only - £35

Add ons:
NB most restaurants are a 15-minute walk away from the venue, and you are requested to not bring your own food. You can also eat at Ladbroke Hall's Pollini restaurant.
Lunch Box - £20
Dinner Box - £20
Britain's Pilgrim Places book - £20
‍