The Journey – 9th to 10th May
What is The Journey?
The Journey [originally named The Pilgrimage] has been organised every year since 2003. It involves walking or cycling over 2 or 3 days from St John’s Church to a cathedral, chapel or a church.
Is the Journey for me?
We hope so! The Journey is a wonderful opportunity to spend time together, to challenge ourselves and encourage one another and to engage with our faith along the way.
The nature of an active weekend will mean there are limitations as to how people can get involved, but if you have a creative idea about how to join us, talk to us and we’ll see what we can do!
Where are we headed this year?
9th to 10th May 2026
We are going to Wychcroft, the Southwark Diocesan Training Centre. It is a Victorian house 22 miles south of London, set in the heart of the Surrey countryside near Bletchingley. Wychcroft House, S Park Ln, Bletchingley, Redhill RH1 4NE wychcroft.org
How can you join us?
Cycle or walk the whole weekend
Set off from St John’s Saturday morning, stay overnight at Bears Wood Scout Camp or a nearby Inn, coach back to St John’s Sunday afternoon with much journeying in-between!
Walk for a whole day
Join us first thing, walk for the day, then go home! Transport to/from St John’s provided. Relevant meals and minibus support are provided for all participants, along with hot drinks and biscuits a plenty.
Other ways to get involved?
Join us for a mile or three, break bread with us during a meal or help us feed the weary travellers! Contact us or indicate what you’d like to do on your booking form and we’ll be in touch.
Information leaflet: Leaflet.pdf
How to book your place
We do all that we can to keep costs at a minimum, but if you would like to join us for a day or more and find the cost to be a barrier, please do contact us. We don’t want cost to be what stops you joining us!
Closing Date is Sunday 5th April, Easter Sunday.
If you have any queries do come and find one of the team after the morning or evening service wearing yellow high viz by the Route Display Board in the Main body of the Church, or you can email us at: thejourney@stjohnsblackheath.co.uk
We really hope you and your friends can join us.
God bless,
The Journey planning team
Rosie, Roger, Janel, Jane, Andrew, Susan and Sarah
History of The Journey
Our very first one was in response to St Johns Church turning 150 years old!
A group from St John’s walked to Canterbury Cathedral over 4 days. It was so popular that it was decided to bring it back in 2005 but with the addition of cycling as well as walking. The Journey has happened every year except in 2020 due to Covid. In 2018 we decided to add a Taster Day in the autumn. This was to give people an ‘taste’ of what happens on the Journey each year.
2003 July 24-27 Canterbury 4 days
2005 April 30-May 2 Cambridge 3 days
2006 April 29-May 1 Rochester 3 days
2007 Guildford 3 days
2008 May 3-5 Bradwell 3 days
2009 May 2-4 St Alban’s 3 days
2010 May 1-3 Penshurst 3 days
2011 April 30-May 2 Windsor 3 days
2012 May 5-7 Chelmsford 3 days
2013 May 3-6 Canterbury 4 days
2014 May 3-4 Lullingstone 2 days
2015 May 2-4 Tollesbury 3 days
2016 April 30-May 2 Guildford 3 days
2017 April 30-May 1 Ware 2 days
2018 May 5-7 Aylesford 3 days
September 8 Trinity Buoy Wharf Taster Day
2019 May 4-6 Bradwell 3 days
September 21 Brunel Museum Taster Day
2021 May 29 OneSpace Taster Day
2022 May 1-2 Rochester 2 days
September 3 Lesnes Abbey Taster Day
2023 May 13-14 Hampton Court 2 days
October 14 Trinity Buoy Wharf Taster Day
2024 April 27-28 Lullingstone 2 days
October 12th Olympic Park Taster Day
2025 May 3-5 Chelmsford Cathedral 3 days
October St Pauls Cathedral Taster Day