Along the chalk paths of East Kent, the Way of St Augustine traces the final approach of the missionary who brought Roman Christianity to the Anglo-Saxons. This day's walk from Ramsgate to Canterbury follows the route that Augustine and his monks likely traveled from their coastal landing to the court of King Æthelberht in 597 AD.
📜 History & Significance
Pope Gregory the Great's mission to the English began when Augustine and his companions crossed from Gaul to the shore of Kent. Landing near Ramsgate (tradition says at Ebbsfleet), they made their way to Canterbury where the pagan king awaited them. Within months, Æthelberht had converted, and Augustine was established as the first Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Way of St Augustine commemorates this journey that changed the course of English history. The route passes through landscapes little changed since the 6th century, offering pilgrims a tangible connection to the moment when England rejoined the Christian world.
🥾 Route Overview
The Way of St Augustine covers 23 km from Ramsgate to Canterbury, easily completed in a single day's walk. The route follows public footpaths and quiet lanes through the Kent countryside, with well-placed stops for refreshment.
From Ramsgate, the path passes through Minster-in-Thanet, where Augustine established one of his first monastic communities. The route continues across the fertile farmland of East Kent, with Canterbury's cathedral towers appearing on the horizon in the final miles.
☩ Key Pilgrimage Sites
Minster Abbey in Thanet marks the site of one of Augustine's earliest foundations, where he established a community of monks. Though the current buildings date from later periods, the site's continuity as a place of prayer extends to Augustine's time.
Canterbury Cathedral, the journey's destination and heart of English Christianity, stands where Augustine established his see. The cathedral's crypt contains traces of the original Saxon church, and St Augustine's Abbey nearby preserves the ruins of the monastery he founded.
📚 Further Reading
Curated resources to help you research and plan your pilgrimage on the Way of St Augustine.
