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Pilgrimage Gathering 2025
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?
This special Gathering also supports the work of the British Pilgrimage Trust. By joining us — and by giving an optional donation when booking — you help us bring the gift of pilgrimage to many more people.
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 (Guy Hayward, Chair)
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 (Chair), Jeremy Deller, Jennifer Reid
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: Nature Restoration through Pilgrimage
Speakers: Martin Palmer, Jonathan Weekes, Zofia Page (Guy Hayward, Chair)
The focus here is how pilgrimage can help restore nature, speaking with the leaders of three networks: Green Pilgrimage, Sacred Earth Activism and Friends of River Medway. They bring both global and local perspectives on sacred environmental movements, weaving personal insight with reflections on the ecological and emotional journey of walking the land in different ways. We will first have a discussion with the speakers for 45 minutes, then 45 mins to stretch our legs and souls by walking with our intention to the nearby green space of Little Wormwood Scrubs.
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 (Daze Aghaji, Chair)
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, Chair)
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 from Jenn Reid, Guy Hayward, Spitzer Space Telescope and others.
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. If you want to bring a packed lunch, you can, weather-permitting, walk to nearby Little Wormwood Scrubs and have it there.
Lunch Box - £20
Dinner Box - £20
Britain's Pilgrim Places book - £20
The Speakers
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Sponsored by:
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 – Inspired by nature, Embercombe is a place to reconnect with your wild, authentic self—resourcing you to live a passionate, purposeful life in service of a flourishing world for all species.
The Psychedelic Society – Not-for-profit worker co-operative on a mission to create a culture which respects the potential of psychedelics.
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.
Listening to the Land - A new podcast and annual event associated with the Oxford Real Farming Conference, exploring our sacred and relationship with Land.
Date and time
About this event
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79 Barlby Rd London W10 6AZ
More events
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
Pilgrim
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
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
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
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
Sally
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
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
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!
Jo
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
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
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
A fabulous enlightening day. The people, places and fascinating insights - I felt very privileged and grateful.
David
Pilgrim
Guy, I just wanted to say thank for your time and knowledge yesterday. It was an amazing afternoon in spite of the weather. I am sitting here today in quiet contemplation with a deep sense of peace bathing my heart in a warm, fuzzy glow. It is an extraordinary feeling. I think you must have been a troubadour in a previous life! With gratitude.
Jessica
Pilgrim
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What our pilgrims say
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