River Aeron Food & Farming Pilgrimage

Join us for a special pilgrimage hosted by the British Pilgrimage Trust, Holden Farm Dairy and the Sustainable Food Trust, centred around the beautiful landscape of the River Aeron and the Holden Farm (Bwlchwernen Fawr) that precedes a weekend Sustainable Food Trust conference at Holden Farm.
This two-day journey (2 x 5-mile walks) offers an inspiring experience through stunning Welsh landscapes from source-to-sea, grounding yourself with the land and sustainable agriculture before the conference starts proper. Your guides will be Dr Guy Hayward of the British Pilgrimage Trust, and Patrick Holden, founder of the Sustainable Food Trust, who was also Director of Soil Association (1995-2010). In establishing the beacon farms network, the subject of the conference, Patrick has drawn inspiration from the then Prince of Wales vision, which includes the King's leadership both of the Beacon Farms idea at Highgrove and his Harmony project.
Guy will lead on connecting you with the mythos of the land, singing local songs, and embodied practices of land connection, and Patrick will be describing the land from an agricultural perspective that he sees as we walk.
Thursday 10th - 1-6pm (5 miles)
From the Source to Bwlchwernen Fawr
- Start: Poets of Mynydd Bach Monument, near Trefenter (source of River Aeron) - begin your pilgrimage at this serene and historic site with sweeping views of Ceredigion, steeped in literary and cultural significance.
- Llyn Eiddwen - Reflect at this peaceful upland lake.
- Bontnewydd Church - Pause at this charming rural church.
- End: Blaenpennal - Conclude your first day's journey in the village of Blaenpennal. Transport to Bwlchwernen Fawr will be provided.
Late afternoon/evening - Explore and enjoy the Holden Farm, Bwlchwernen Fawr, and feel the rootedness of the farm.
Friday 11th - 10-4pm (5 miles)
From Blaencamel Organic Farm to Aberaeron
- Start: Blaencamel Organic Farm - Begin the second day by experiencing firsthand Blaencamel’s pioneering organic farming methods and tasting freshly grown produce.
- Follow the River Aeron - Follow the river to Llanerchaeron, where St Non's Church offers a pause and perhaps a chance to sing some Welsh classic hymns together.
- End: at the mouth of the Aeron in the town of Aberaeron. Transport to Bwlchwernen Fawr will be provided.
***
Accommodation and food
Accommodation options – rooms are available at Bwlchwernen Fawr on both Wednesday and Thursday night at a cost of £80 per person, per night bed and breakfast
Food – a communal supper can be available at affordable rates if interest and numbers allow. A simple packed lunch will be provided by Holden Farm each day.






Date and time
About this event
SA48 8PS
More events
What our pilgrims say
.webp)