Does the North Downs Way follow the Pilgrims Way?
In parts! The Pilgrims Way is the alleged route that Pilgrims took from Winchester to Canterbury to pay homage to Thomas Becket, who was murdered at Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. The Pilgrims Way, seen on maps, was interpreted and defined in the Victorian era by the first Governor General of Ordnance Survey. In reality pilgrims would have followed a wide band if paths on the route between the two cathedral cities. Much of the Pilgrims way has now been absorbed into the busy road network around the South East. We suggest that modern day pilgrims follow St Swithuns Way from Winchester to Farnham and the North Downs Way to Canterbury.
