Pilgrimage overview
Sample Anglican-Episcopal Heritage Pilgrimage
For members of the Episcopal/Anglican family, England cannot but be a place of special significance and pilgrimage. For many years, Lightline has offered pilgrimages that celebrate the great legacy of English spirituality and Christian practice, and which connect pilgrims to some of the foremost places associated with English Christianity.
Each itinerary is tailor-made can reflect the interests of the clergy leading the pilgrimage. Typically, we aim to have pilgrims begin their journey at Canterbury, and other venues and visits have included Oxford, Cambridge, Winchester, Salisbury, Coventry and London. Through Dean Barrington’s extensive network of friends and contacts in the Church of England, we are able to arrange programs and speakers that can bring to life the foundational story of Anglicanism, and help today’s pilgrims understand more of the heritage, and become the more committed disciples of Christ.
Included
- Airfare
- Local Transportation
- Accommodations
- Tour Guide
- Most Meals
- Entrance Fees and Local Taxes
Not Included
- Single Room Supplement
- Gratuities
- Travel Insurance
- Laundry, drinks and any personal items
Day 1
We gather in the evening at Logan Airport for our non-stop flight to London.
Day 2
We land at London’s Heathrow Airport mid-morning, and after clearing immigration and customs formalities we will head on our way to Canterbury, where we should arrive in good time to unpack before those who wish can attend Choral Evensong. After Evensong there will be a welcome drink and our opening dinner.
Day 3
Today will be devoted to a thorough exploration of Canterbury, starting with a pilgrim Eucharist in the cathedral, and a full guided tour. In the afternoon, we will have a walking tour of the city of Canterbury, finishing in ample time for us to attend Evensong.
Day 4
After breakfast, we will explore northern Kent, starting with England’s second cathedral city of Rochester, also beloved of the novelist Charles Dickens. After a break for lunch (not included in the tour price), we will visit the tiny village of Tudeley, where Marc Chagall created all twelve of its stained glass windows.
Day 5
Today we will explore some enchanting towns and buildings in Kent. We begin by driving over Romney Mash to the Cinque Port of Rye. After a chance to explore its lovely streets, we will visit the sometime home of Henry James, before heading on to nearby Winchelsea. After lunch we will visit Sissinghurst, to see the world-renowned garden created by Vita Sackville-West.
Day 6
After breakfast we will have a guided tour of St. Edmundsbury Cathedral, right across the road from where we are staying, before heading to Norwich, where we will spend the rest of the day, both learning about its own wonderful cathedral, and about its most famous Christian, Mother Julian.
Day 7
Today will start with a visit to Ely, dominated by its extraordinary cathedral, famed for its unique 14th-century ‘Lantern’ tower, visible from miles around. In the early afternoon we will come to Cambridge, where we will have a guided tour of the city, culminating in attending Evensong at Kings College Chapel, before returning to Bury for dinner.
Day 8
After an early breakfast, we check out from our hotel in Bury St Edmunds, to head north, stopping late morning in Lincoln, where we will have time to get a quick lunch and visit the cathedral. After this we continue to the far north east of England, to the breathtaking city of Durham, dominated by its remarkable Norman cathedral and castle. Dinner will be included at our hotel this evening.
Day 9
Today we will learn a little about two of the Celtic saints of Northumbria. Our morning will begin in Jarrow, where the Venerable Bede lived as a monk for almost his entire life. Our visit will include the chancel of the parish church, which dates back to Bede’s own era. In the afternoon, we visit the delightful market town of Hexham, where St Wilfrid once ministered at its abbey.
Day 10
Today we will drive north to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, to spend the day at the historic island base of the Celtic mission in Northumbria, founded by St Aidan in the 7th Century. We aim to arrive on the island by mid morning, and will stay there during high tide, giving us an afternoon of tranquility to connect with the Celtic saints. We will have an early dinner on the island (included in the pilgrimage price) before returning to Durham.
Day 11
Our final whole day will be devoted to Durham City itself, with a pilgrim Eucharist in its cathedral and a guided tour of this remarkable building, before free time to enjoy the city and its riverbanks, and indulge in some last-minute shopping. We will have a special dinner this evening to mark the close of our pilgrimage.
Day 12
This morning we will attend the cathedral Eucharist with the city and university community, before a quick lunch and our transfer to Newcastle Airport. From here we fly to Boston via London Heathrow, arriving home at 10:15 pm that evening.
