The Archbishop of Canterbury’s Pilgrimage Stop at Lesnes Abbey Woods 

We were honoured to meet The Most Reverend & Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally, and her fellow pilgrims early this morning at Lesnes Abbey, as part of their pilgrimage along the 140km route along the Becket Camino from St Paul’s Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral.  Whilst meeting fellow pilgrims, visiting churches, cathedrals, abbeys and schools on route, the pilgrimage will help The Archbishop to reflect on her journey from Bishop of London to Archbishop of Canterbury – a profound act of spiritual preparation before her Installation as Archbishop of Canterbury on 25 March 2026. 

The Archbishop was welcomed by Cllr Leaf, Leader of Bexley Council and the Chris Hawkins Chair & Treasurer of Friends of Lesnes Abbey & Woods (FoLAW).  They presented her with a Lesnes Abbey Pilgrims badge, a book about Lesnes Abbey Woods and were able to stamp the Archbishop’s and entourage’s Pilgrim Passports with the Lesnes Abbey’s Pilgrim Stamp.   

 The Archbishop presented the Chair of FoLAW and the Leader a beautiful pewter scallop shell gift.  The scallop shell is the traditional symbol of pilgrimage and journey. 

The Archbishop was briefly shown around Lesnes Abbey before leaving through the woods on her journey to Canterbury.  We wish her well and thank her for taking the time to stop at Lesnes Abbey. For more information about her pilgrimage please click here