To many, England is a mythical land filled with great heroes like the ancient King Arthur or the modern Winston Churchill; brilliant writers such as Shakespeare, Chaucer and C.S. Lewis; and cherished icons of the past like Stonehenge, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace. England is also home to the worldwide Anglican Communion at Canterbury Cathedral.
There are so many options when traveling to England. Do you wish to serve in the urban sprawl of London or a small parish town? How about hiking the famous Canterbury Trail, or following the footsteps and writings of C.S. Lewis? Is it the quietness of the Holy Island of Lindisfarne or seemingly endless ruins of the past that draw you in? Castles are in abundance and history is a constant companion as you travel to England on your pilgrimage or missions trip.
Overview
- Stay at the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and join hundreds of years of monastic history.
- Visit evensong at Westminster Abbey, England’s most famous religious site.
- The mystery of Stonehenge is as strong today as ever. Wander theses great stones and ponder their meaning.
- Create a journey that follows lives like those of C.S. Lewis or JRR Tolkien.
- Absorb the beauty of the Lake Country that has inspired poets and authors for eons.
Itinerary
Every Wonder Voyage itinerary (mission trip and/or pilgrimage) is personalized to the desires, direction and personality of each group. This itinerary is only a description of the kind of journey we can create for your unique team.
- Day 1 – Stonehenge and Bath
You have landed in the UK. Time for pilgrimage! We’ll head out west this morning, starting with the pre-Christian heritage of Great Britain at the mysterious icon, Stonehenge. Then we move through history to the Roman period in the City of Bath, a world heritage site. We’ll be ready for a rest when we reach our first of three homes while in England. May Christ open our hearts to wonders that will transform us. - Day 2 – Salisbury
New Sarum, better known as Salisbury, has been around since the Saxons. Her crown jewel is the magnificent 11th century Salisbury Cathedral, considered to be one of the most beautiful churches in the world. It even contains one of the oldest copies of the Magna Carta. As we travel through the streets of the town you will get to experience a blending of British history and modern life. May we not only visit churches but learn what it means to be the Church. - Day 3 – Winchester
Winchester was once the capital of Britain. Her cathedral is one of the largest in the world and distinctly Saxon in origin. We will wander the streets laid out by the warrior king, Alfred the Great. Winchester was key in the conversion of the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity and there are traces of that history throughout the town. An interesting thought: are we Christian by choice or by culture? - Day 4 – Cliffs and Castles
We pack up and move to the east coast today, enjoying the English countryside and coastal views. We’ll take some time at the mammoth Cliffs of Dover and see God’s reflection in creation. On our way to Canterbury we’ll visit the geometrical Deal Castle, one of Henry VIII coastal fortifications. Where do we set fortifications up in our hearts against God or other people? - Day 5 – Canterbury
Canterbury has been a major pilgrimage site for over 1000 years. We will begin by partaking Eucharist in the mother church for the Anglican Communion, Canterbury Cathedral. We will hear stories and learn about this work of wonder. After a visit to monastic ruins, you will have free time to explore the quaint town of Canterbury. - Day 6 – London Bound
After an early morning service at one of the oldest churches in Europe, we will head to London and settle in our final home of the pilgrimage. But before that we will take a few hours at the infamous Tower of London, where the Crown Jewels reside (along with a few ghosts). What do we consider the most precious things we possess? - Day 7 – London Wanderings
Our day in London begins at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Get in shape: we are climbing the 560 steps to the top of the tower to get a bird’s eye view of London. You’ll have some free time before we meet at Westminster Cathedral for choral evensong. Tonight we will celebrate over a good meal and we will pass the candle in remembrance of our remarkable week. - Day 8 – A New Pilgrimage
You have traveled throughout southern England, visiting the tombs and castles of kings, druid groves and Roman fortifications, cathedrals and countryside. We have sought the face of God in a foreign land that will forever be bound to our heart. May the end of this pilgrimage be the beginning of a lifetime of sacred journeys.
Legacy Location
Legacy in England
- *This is the base cost of the trip. Your cost may differ depending on housing, activities, etc.
