In an historic first for modern times, Archbishop Sarah, along with her husband Eamonn, walked the 140km route along the Becket Camino from St Paul’s Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral, reflecting her journey from Bishop of London to Archbishop of Canterbury – a profound act of spiritual preparation for her Installation as Archbishop of Canterbury on 25 March 2026.

As I walk this path I will be praying for our Church and our world, and asking God to bless those we meet. Every Christian life is a pilgrimage - a journey with God.
The Most Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury-designate, The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally makes a pastoral visit to the community larder at All Saints Church in Canterbury

The Route: From St Paul’s to Canterbury

Following the footsteps of centuries of faithful pilgrims, Archbishop Sarah’s installation pilgrimage followed stretches of the Thames Path, the Via Britannica and the Augustine Camino. Archbishop Sarah and her husband Eamon, joined Morning and Evening Prayer services at churches, cathedrals and abbeys en route, as well as meeting with other pilgrims and visiting schools and ecumenical organisations.

Map showing the route of Archbishop of Canterbury's Pilgrimage. It is an very old style map written on what looks like parchment.
Photo credit
Lambeth Palace
  • St Paul’s Cathedral
  • Southwark Cathedral
  • Lesnes Abbey
  • Rochester Cathedral
  • Aylesford Priory
  • Shrine of St Jude
  • Chartham Village
  • Canterbury Cathedral

On the final stretch of the journey the pilgrims were joined by David Monteith, Dean of Canterbury, and members of the Cathedral chapter, to walk from the village of Chartham to Canterbury, arriving in time for Evensong on Sunday 22 March.

Heavenly Father,
we give you thanks for sending Archbishop Sarah as a shepherd to guide your people.
Gift her with wisdom and fill her with the Holy Spirit;
help her to listen well, bring people together and serve as Jesus served.
And we pray for ourselves:
strengthen us in faith, and grant us a heart like Christ’s,
gentle, humble and devoted to the truth,
so that we may share the Gospel with joy.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Pilgrimage facts

Do new Archbishops normally do this before their Installations?

It is the first time in modern history that an Archbishop of Canterbury has undertaken a walking pilgrimage of this nature in the lead-up to their Installation.

When is the pilgrimage?

Archbishop Sarah and her fellow pilgrims will embark on a 6-day walking pilgrimage from London to Canterbury on Tuesday 17 March, as part of her spiritual preparation for her Installation service at Canterbury Cathedral. The group will arrive on Sunday 22 March, in time for Evensong at the Cathedral.

Who is going on the pilgrimage?

Archbishop Sarah will be joined by her husband Eamonn,

  • The Revd Richard Braddy, Archbishop Sarah’s Chaplain.
  • Torin Brown, Pilgrim Officer at Canterbury Cathedral.

The group will be joined by other pilgrims along the way, with members of the Pilgrim Trust also joining the departure from St Paul’s Cathedral.

Where does the group leave from?

They will leave from St Paul’s Cathedral, following a short commissioning service. Walking to Canterbury Cathedral, this route reflects Archbishop Sarah’s journey from Bishop of London to Archbishop of Canterbury.

How far are they walking?

140 kilometres.

What is the route?

The group will walk along stretches of the Thames Path, the Via Britannica and the Augustine Camino, joining Morning and Evening Prayer services at churches, cathedrals and abbeys en route. The final stretch of the journey will see the pilgrims joined by David Monteith, Dean of Canterbury Cathedral, and members of the Cathedral chapter, to walk from the village of Chartham to Canterbury, arriving in time for Evensong on Sunday 22 March.

Where will they visit?

Stops will include Southwark Cathedral, Aylesford Priory, the Shrine of St Jude in Faversham, Lesnes Abbey and Rochester Cathedral, as well as the group visiting schools, hospitals and ecumenical organisations.

Can I walk a section of the pilgrimage with the Archbishop?

The pilgrimage is part of Archbishop Sarah’s spiritual preparation ahead of her installation service. She will walk with other pilgrims on sections of the route and meet with people at stops along the way, but it is not a public event.

What is the exact route? Will the pilgrims be walking near my home/church/school?

The full route of the pilgrimage is not being made public but each parish that the Archbishop is walking through has been informed. All of the stopping points have been arranged and there aren’t any opportunities for additional stops or detours.