The Via Francigena in England — Canterbury to Dover

The Via Francigena begins where Archbishop Sigeric began his journey to Rome in 990 AD: at Canterbury Cathedral. The English section is short — just 2–3 days and ~120 km — but it sets the tone of the pilgrimage and gets you to the Channel ferry at Dover.

Canterbury to Dover

From Canterbury Cathedral the route follows the North Downs Way broadly eastward through the Kent countryside — chalk paths, hedgerows, hop fields and pretty villages. The walking is gentle, well-waymarked, and a soft introduction after the long journey to reach Canterbury.

Key points:

• Canterbury: allow a half-day for the Cathedral, St Martin's Church (the oldest church in the English-speaking world) and the medieval city walls. Obtain or stamp your pilgrim credential at the Cathedral.
• The North Downs: rolling chalk downland, orchards and villages like Wye and Chilham. Waymarking follows the North Downs Way, which overlaps the Via Francigena for much of this stretch.
• Dover: the route reaches the iconic White Cliffs and Dover Castle. The ferry (or the Channel Tunnel foot service) carries you across to Calais in France, where the long walk south begins.

Getting to Canterbury

Canterbury is ~1h 15m by train from London St Pancras, or a drive down the M2/A2. The nearest airports are Gatwick and Heathrow; from either, train via London. There's no airport at Canterbury — most international pilgrims fly into London and take the train.

Planning the section

Two comfortable stages (Canterbury → Wye/Chilham → Dover) or one long day if you're fit. B&Bs and inns are the accommodation (£70–110/night). Book the Dover–Calais ferry in advance in summer; foot passenger tickets are ~€20.

What to know

This is the easiest section on the route — no Alpine passes, no long waterless stretches. Its main challenge is logistical: timing the ferry and starting your French stages from Calais. Use the planner to map Canterbury → Dover and then Dover (Calais) onward — the planner handles the Channel crossing as a stage break.

After Dover, the route enters France and the real distance begins. Read the France section guide for what comes next.