Practical Resources

In England and Wales you need very little, Scotland may need more preparation. The main message is to travel light. This means take money not stuff. There are shops and pubs in most villages, buy your food at these as and when they appear.

The second message is feet. Wear trainers or sandals you know as you are less likely to get blisters, wear boots if you really know them, boots can be merciless on long walks. Take blister packs, they are excellent, and plasters.

Put your stuff in a good rucksack, one close to your body and with a belt you can pull tight round your hips, this type of pack makes heavy weight light (but remember, you are not going to carry heavy weight). Wrap your clothes and sleeping bag in a bin bag to keep them dry. Women should aim to keep their gear, including water (1kg for 1 litre) below 6 kgs. Men no more than 9 kgs.

Wear comfortable clothes, I walk in a longish skirt, sandals and hat in the summer but get terribly stung and prickled, English countryside can be almost impenetrable with stingers, cleavers and brambles, trousers are better.

If you are staying in Churches you will need

  • A bed roll, a cheap roly one or "‘self inflating’ mats are truly excellent – a couple of puffs has them fully inflated, yet they are tiny and light to carry – and that extra cm or two between you and the floor is so worth it".

  • sleeping bag, lightweight of course, wrap in bin bag

  • camping pillow,

  • PJs + bed socks (keep these socks sacrosanct for sleeping bag only), PJs and socks means you don't need a bed sheet

  • flip flops to wear in evening in church stopover

  • small torch

  • back lit E-reader - don't worry if you haven't got one, you will be too tired to read anyway

  • 1 litre camping water bottle

  • emergency nuts, raisins, chocolate

  • phone, notebook, pencil (works in wet), purse for money/card

  • first aid: plasters, vaseline, tweezers, aspirin, water purifier tabs for emergencies, or better, a life straw (<60g weight) for purifying water, sun cream (keep near to hand), blister packs, nail scissors

  • maps, in waterproof holder, compass.

  • An added weight you may want to take is a small pair of secateurs. The English countryside is often very overgrown in the summer. You can pick up a stick en route.

  • clothes - difficult, is it going to be hot or cold? Definitely water proofs, cheap light weight leggings and mac in a sac, also always, whatever the weather, a woolly hat. In summer lightweight coat and summer hat. Take minimal change, maybe one shirt, one pair of socks, 2 nics.

  • sunglasses

  • camping towel, you will wash in streams without soap unless you treat yourself to a B and B, when they will have soap and towel anyway. Toothbrush, always brush teeth before sleep, paste not necessary. Loo roll

If you are travelling wild, without staying in churches you will also need

  • a light weight tent 1.5kg max, that is waterproof - or hammock + tarp and pegs about the same weight.

NOTHING ELSE


Advice Before Sleeping in the Church (from experienced pilgrim)

When preparing to sleep in a church, take time to walk round it all first. Check for drafts from windows and doors, but don't move things. Consider doing a bit of cleaning whilst you are there it is a welcome treat for the church!

Be aware of fauna – there may well be bats flying above you or the odd mouse in attendance…

Be aware that churches can be surprisingly noisy, and earplugs might be useful. In particular beware the church clock striking the hours (or, if really unfortunate the quarters, too) – it may be that churchwarden can turn it off for the night…