Rochester

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The GuardianJul 20, 2026

A Canterbury trail: my pilgrimage from the cathedral to the white cliffs of Dover

After exploring the cathedral city, I battled the heatwave while walking to the Kent coast on the Via Francigena Canterbury for Evensong. Is there a more delightful cluster of syllables in the English language? Old English, I should say, as æfensang comes from that tongue, an update on the Latin-derived “vespers”. But whatever you call the service, Canterbury Cathedral does it in style. How bea…

14 things in this story
  • Augustine CaminoTrailHistoric route to Canterbury from Rochester.
  • Elsewhere
  • Canterbury CathedralPlace of worshipCanterbury, United KingdomEvensong service with singing choristers in white and purple.
  • High StreetNeighborhoodCanterbury, United KingdomStatue of Chaucer appears overdressed in robe, cloak, and hat.
  • Pilgrims’ WayTrailWinchester, United KingdomHistoric route to Canterbury from Winchester.
  • Old WayTrailSouthampton, United KingdomHistoric route to Canterbury from Southampton.
  • St Paul’s CathedralPlace of worshipLondon, United KingdomArchbishop Sarah Mullally walked from here ahead of installation.
  • Via FrancigenaTrailCanterbury, United KingdomLinks Canterbury with Rome; waymarked with pilgrim logo.
  • Pilgrim passportPlaceCanterbury, United KingdomStamped at Canterbury Cathedral and Dover museum.
  • North Downs WayTrailCanterbury, United KingdomRoute followed by the Via Francigena.
  • White CliffsSightDover, United KingdomBright and beautiful cliffs seen from Dover.
  • OS mapPlaceCanterbury, United Kingdom
  • Via Francigena appPlaceCanterbury, United Kingdom
  • Dover MuseumMuseumDover, United Kingdom
  • Dame Vera Lynn WayTrailDover, United Kingdom
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