Spiritual Fourfold London: a William Blake day pilgrimage with Mark Vernon

Discover Blake's Jerusalem in the sacred heart of London, with Mark Vernon, BBC Broadcaster and author of many works including Awake! William Blake and the Power of the Imagination

William Blake placed in our hands the end of a golden string. Wind it into a ball, he promised, and it will lead you to heaven's gate, built in Jerusalem's wall. For Blake, that Jerusalem was London itself. This day pilgrimage will lead to one place he certainly knew the portal to eternity, in Westminster Abbey.

William Blake is much loved and often not well understood. Place was immensely significant to Blake because it is in particular locations that we encounter the genii loci that can participate in the divine vision and so communicate that spirit to us. Like us, Blake lived in a tumultuous era of warfare, discontent, rapid technological change, and a deepening estrangement of humanity from nature. He exposed the dark sides of political fervour and social moralising, while unashamedly celebrating love and liberty. But he also conversed with prophets and angels, and was powerfully, if unconventionally, religious. If we take this seriously—not easy, in secular times—then Blake can help us to unlock the transformative power of imagination, key to his importance in today’s world.

Next year, 2027, is the bicentenary of Blake’s death. This pilgrimage will follow paths William and Catherine Blake trod, visiting places that they lived, and enjoying readings from Blake’s work along the way. The day is a perfect chance to step into the anniversary year and learn from, as well as learn about, one of the great prophets and mystics of the modern age.

This day pilgrimage traces the streets William and Catherine Blake walked, loved and transfigured through visionary sight. Beginning at Tate Britain, we cross Vauxhall Bridge, pass through the Pleasure Gardens Blake satirised, and rest beside the Lambeth lanes where his great prophetic works were written. We pause at Hercules Road, where the Blakes made their home, before crossing Waterloo Bridge to the site where Blake breathed his last, singing hymns, on 11 August 1827. With readings from Blake's poetry along the way, we arrive finally at Westminster Abbey — a place Blake knew intimately — for choral evensong.

A perfect step into his bicentenary year. Come ready to be changed.

About your guide

Mark Vernon is a psychotherapist and writer with a longstanding interest in ancient philosophy and the illumination of inner life. His most recent book is on William Blake, and he has also written on spiritual intelligence, Dante's Divine Comedy, and Christianity as understood by Owen Barfield. He is a psychodynamic psychotherapist in private practice in London, teaches on spiritual writers and traditions with the Temenos Academy, and contributes to BBC Radio 4's Thought for the Day. His academic path ran from physics through theology to a PhD in philosophy, by way of Durham, Oxford, and Warwick, and he was ordained as a priest in the Church of England before turning to writing and psychotherapy.

Timings

The Tate Britain opens at 10am, please go early if you wish to see Blake's work.
Meet your guide on the front steps of the Tate Britain at 10.30am.
The group will disperse for a brief lunch on your own (or with other pilgrims) and a comfort break.
The guided portion of the day finishes at Westminster Abbey at 3pm, where pilgrims are invited to join the Evensong service which usually lasts around 45 minutes. Pilgrims may leave the group at that point if they prefer.

FAQ’s

Travel arrangements - Nearest train stations are: Pimlico Underground, Vauxhall or Victoria for Overground. See tfl.gov.uk for buses and transport planning.

Toilet Facilities - There toilets at the beginning, middle and end of this journey.

Who can come? Anyone over 18 (or under 18 with appropriate adult supervision, bearing in mind the walking distance).

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 like to keep things light and breezy, so there will be no group emotional sharing moments, even though people may be coming for emotional reasons. If you want to share your feelings in personal conversation when walking with others that is up to you, but certainly not compulsory.

Are there fitness or access limitations? This pilgrimage visits accessible buildings and uses regular London pavements, there will be periods of walking at a reasonable pace and periods of standing. It is wheelchair accessible. Please contact us for more details or if you'd like to discuss your individual access needs and accommodating your mobility aids. If you have access needs other than mobility 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 free or 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? This pilgrimage is a fundraiser for registered charity British Pilgrimage Trust. 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

‍