8 independent reviews for Winchester to Canterbury Pilgrims way, England
Reviews for Winchester to Canterbury Pilgrims way, England
Julian English review 21 May 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The beautifully worded Pilgrim's Blessing' at the Cathedral's High Altar following Evensong on the evening of my final day's walking.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Familiarize yourself with each day's walk the previous afternoon, go at a gentle pace, drink plenty, and enjoy the serenity of simply following the path.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Hopefully it benefitted in particular the various pubs etc on the way.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very enjoyable and fulfilling thanks to the super diligent organization of Mandy and her team at the tour operator.Sandy Conrad review 30 Oct 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The people I met in the pubs every night were the highlight. The friendliness and welcome was amazing, from servers to owners to locals. I was never lonely!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
I would not do this alone unless navigating skills were good. I thought the trail would be easier to follow, and in spite all the ways Walk Awhile supported me, I felt anxious about being lost quite often. Mandy was amazing, and I knew I would be taken care of, but I would not choose a solitary journey on the North Downs Way again. On the other hand, the tour operator made arrangements for me to arrive at pubs before they opened and ensured that taxis would drop me off closer to the goal if I needed it that day. Excellent service all round.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was a challenging vacation but overall it was rather amazing to be in such a beautiful part of England and see the small villages in Kent and Surrey. I am glad I did it!Read the operator's response here:
We are pleased that Sandy had a good vacation, despite the difficulties in navigating! We always inform customers that the ability to map read is necessary, before they commit to booking. However, perceptions do differ and, although the North Downs Way is well marked, it is part of a network of public footpaths, therefore requiring navigational skills, and use of the recommended OS app.
Lynne Griffin review 31 Aug 2021
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The route was quite overgrown in some places but the views of the scenery were quite spectacular.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
It is a tough walk in terms of distance so don’t underestimate the amount of training you will have to do for it!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The local accommodation was top notch and in this difficult year it was good to be able to put something into local economies.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
The operator was very helpful and approachable. I never felt as though I was going alone despite traveling by myself. The transport of the luggage and occasionally me was seamless. The accommodation was very good and the advice and assistance they gave was 5 star and that is what my review would be.Mike Longdon review 24 Jun 2021
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Getting away from hustle and bustle2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Where there is no onsite catering where you are staying do some research and book your meal in advance.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. We used virtually no forms of motorised transport and presumably our overnight stays helped local employment4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very goodGeoff Levermore review 22 Sep 2021
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
8/10Tricia Hamilton review 11 Sep 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The walking!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Travel very light3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I certainly supported the local communities4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
ExcellentRead the operator's response here:
Thank you Tricia, we were proud to
support you Well done on your
achievement in walking from
Winchester to Canterbury
Steve Van Beek review 3 Jun 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The continual joy of being in natural areas, even if they were agricultural. Everything other than the sounds and the scents was secondary. Not very profound, I realize, but whereas I didn't plan it as a spiritual journey (I would have scoffed if you'd suggested it), it became that. Moreover, while most of the time, I had the paths to myself, I did meet some terrific people both on the paths and at the accommodations along the way.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
I don't know what it was about the pilgrims on the North Downs Ways but they must have being doing penance for capital crimes because every time they saw a hill, they said "the flatland is well and good but let's climb this hill...and then descend again." Thus, what I thought would be a 120-mile trip turned into 158 and more grueling that I anticipated. No complaints, however, as I was afforded more sights but some travelers might be deterred by the lengths of the days. Thus, I think I'd make them aware that there are two options: (a) long and hilly and (b) shorter and flat3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Financially? I don't know. As an American I was astounded by the extent of the footpaths and by the local reception and their desire to (a) preserve the lands and (b) make it accessible to others. I'm not sure that were I a farmer I'd welcome strangers traipsing through my backyard and across my pastures, spooking the cows and sheep and yet they were always welcoming. To my surprise, I read that rather than being bound by ancient laws, the complete footpath system is of recent vintage, dating essentially since WWII. Moreover, the British walk the footpaths themselves...and they are brisk walkers, I discovered.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent. I think that Jack and Mandy of the tour operator did a superb job in setting it up and in checking with me to see that everything was going well. If I had any complaints, it would be that while Surrey maintains the paths, Kent is less diligent. Signs are broken, some are obscured by brush, and thorny vines snag one as he passes. A bit of trail maintenance would go a long way towards improving the experience.Paul Friesen review 6 Jul 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The walking cross country on pilgrimage from Winchester to Canterbury; navigating with the help of my wonderful travel company and locals; on the road conversations; geographical, historical, and religious sites.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Just enjoy it! And if room location in various Inns, hotels, and B&Bs is important to you—mention that to those doing the booking for you.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I believed it benefitted local people as well as myself.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A very good vacation. But only the “Kingdom of God” gets a 5.Holiday Reviews
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