About St Wite's Way
Welcome to St Wite's Way, a pilgrimage experience following in the footsteps of Dorset's Patron Saint, St Wite.
May you know God’s blessing as you join us.
The different pilgrimage experiences
Our pilgrimage experiences are for all who are seeking rest, restoration and renewal, whatever your faith and tradition.
The St Wite's Way pilgrimage can be enjoyed in a number of ways;
As a one day guided walk and experience
As a residential retreat
For upcoming dates, please look at our bookings page below
" I have walked pilgrimage routes before but because this was a guided experience it was a far deeper and richer than anything I have known before. I cannot thank you enough"
- 2024 pilgrim
The guided pilgrimage experience
Our one day guided pilgrimages create a unique space for personal renewal and spiritual encounter. Supported by experienced guides you will have the opportunity to explore what is stirring in your life to find a deeper connection with the spiritual and the natural.
Who is the pilgrimage for?
All who are seeking rest, restoration and renewal, whatever your faith and tradition.
More about the pilgrimage experience
Drawing on the life of St Wite, and her personal embodiment of both courageous action and sacred healing, we will literally follow in her footsteps. The heart of our pilgrimage experience is The Golden Way, which starts and ends at St Wite’s shrine, renowned through the ages as a place of healing and renewal. Although her ministry was rooted in Christian spirituality, the activities and reflections we share are not from any particular tradition. There will be plenty of time, space and encouragement to engage with the pilgrimage in and through your own spiritual way.
The 8 mile/6 hr walk of The Golden Way takes us to sacred sites associated with St Wite and up onto the Golden Cap, the highest headland on the south coast of England.
As we walk, there will be opportunities to stop, reflect and meditate/pray in ‘moments of encounter’ facilitated by our pilgrimage guides.
Advice and recommendations for the pilgrimage
The pilgrimage experience is open to everyone, from whatever background. All are welcome. However, it is more suitable for adults.
St Wite’s Way visits sacred sites with a deep history of spiritual pilgrimage and worship, which will be the foundation for our exercises, reflections and discussion. Please engage however you feel comfortable.
West Dorset is stunningly beautiful and the pilgrimage takes place in an area of outstanding natural beauty. You are encouraged to bring notebooks, drawing, or writing equipment, cameras and phones to record the experience.
The cost
The Golden Way guided pilgrimage walk is £50 per person including packed lunch and afternoon refreshments.
There is a small bursary fund supported by past pilgrims to offer a reduction in the cost for those who need it. If you would like to know more, please contact ask@stwitesway.org
The location
The Golden Way start and end: The Holy Shrine of St Wite in the church of St Candida and the Holy Cross in Whitchurch Canonicorum DT6 6RQ.
“ I cannot recommend the Healing Retreat enough. A beautiful, transformational experience, in the most incredible setting, with wise and insightful leaders .”
-A 2024 residential pilgrim
Guided residential retreats
Come and find rest for your soul walking in the footsteps of St Wite, the patron Saint of Dorset. This combined retreat and pilgrimage creates a unique space for personal renewal and spiritual encounter in one of the most beautiful and sacred landscapes in England. Supported by experienced retreat guides you will have the opportunity to explore what is stirring and moving in your life and to find a deeper connection with the spiritual and the natural.
Who are the retreats for?
All who are seeking to go deeper than a one day experience to find rest, restoration and renewal, whatever your faith and tradition, and a time to pause, listen and look more deeply at what matters in your life.
The tradition of St Wite and the history of the place, with its shrine and well, has a particular emphasis on healing - physical healing, restoring us to our true nature and to a healthy balance in our relationships - with others, the natural world and with God.
More about the pilgrimage retreats
We will draw on the life of St Wite as the focus for the retreat and her personal embodiment of both courageous action and sacred healing. We will literally follow in her footsteps, beginning and ending the pilgrimage at her shrine, renowned through the ages as a place of healing and renewal.
Although her ministry was rooted in Christian spirituality, the activities and reflections we share will not be from any particular tradition and there will be plenty of time, space and encouragement to engage with the pilgrimage in and through your own spiritual way.
"Blessed are those whose strength is in the Lord, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. When they walk through the valley of tears, it will become a place of refreshing springs." Psalm 84
Where we stay
At beautiful Rushay, a quintessential country house in Wootton Fitzpaine. All meals throughout the retreats are included in the cost.
If you want to know more about any aspect of the pilgrimage, before you book, please contact ask@stwitesway.org We would be delighted to assist. Please direct all booking or accommodation enquiries for residential retreats to ask@stwitesway.org. We are here to help.
Top of Golden Cap
St Wite's Well in Spring
Spring time Cow Parsley
Are you interested in joining an upcoming pilgrimage? Get your tickets here.