FAQs

St Wite [pronounced Weeta] is the patron Saint of Dorset. Recognised and honoured by King Alfred the Great in 881, just fifty years after her martyrdom, through the building the first church of St Candida to house her relics. St Wite has remained enshrined in St Candida and the Holy Cross for over a thousand years. Her relics, miraculously surviving the Reformation. We have no written historical records of her ministry but we do have a strong oral history of her life, faith and death told generation after generation by locals and pilgrims alike. 

Find out more about St Wite by reading our history page.

It was the Normans, when they invaded in the mid 11th century that renamed St Wite's Church, St Candida, a Latin name that means 'white' as an act of appropriation during their conquest. Candida is another name for Wite. 

Find out more about St Wite by reading our history page.

There is a growing interest in pilgrimage around the world as people seek to make sense of life and their spirituality. Pilgrimage, simply means a journey undertaken by a pilgrim and a pilgrim is someone seeking deeper meaning and purpose in their life.

St Wite’s Way, as the programme develops over the next couple of years, will offer opportunities to connect with your inner self and your spirituality with other pilgrims.  Through walking, meditation and spiritual exercises using history, storytelling and the creative arts we make our journey together, surrounded by the sacred landscape of West Dorset.

No, you don’t have to have faith to take part in our pilgrimage experience. The walks we curate provide space for reflection and prayer, but you can use that time to meditate on your own thoughts and connect with nature, the world and yourself in your own way. 

We'd say you need a moderate-to-good level of fitness. Our main route is up the highest headland on the south coast – the Golden Cap. It’s a steep and steady climb to the top. Please come prepared. 

There are toilets at the church. There are also toilets in at a local farm shop. After the shop there aren’t any more toilets on the main route until we return to the church. Information about toilets will be published with each experience. 

Each experience is designed to take a day, usually starting around 9.30am finishing around 5.30/6pm. All routes are designed to be circular unless specified. Our main route is a 7 mile/6 hr walk and starts and ends at the Holy Shrine of St Wite in the church of St Candida and the Holy Cross in Whitchurch Canonicorum DT6 6RQ. This route and pilgrimage experience will take us to sacred sites along the Way and up onto Golden Cap, the highest headland on the south coast of England, with the spectacular viewpoint it offers.

Unfortunately the pilgrimage experience is not suitable for dogs. There is often livestock on the routes and a lot of the walk is along cliff edges where it is not safe for dogs. Please don’t bring your dog.

Come prepared for rain and mud with suitable footwear and waterproof clothing. Some of the pilgrimage routes are on country lanes and are likely to involve crossing the A35 on foot so wear suitable clothing to be seen by traffic. Bring a water bottle and a bag to carry your equipment. 

You are encouraged to bring notebooks, drawing or writing equipment, cameras and phones to record your experience. 

A packed lunch will be provided by our local farm shop Felicity's and afternoon tea is provided on our return to the church as part of ticket price. 

We have public liability insurance to cover injury or damage claims, but you are responsible for your own safety for the duration of your experience with us. 

A packed lunch and afternoon tea back at the church are included in your ticket price. Dietary requirements are catered for. 

All you need to bring is any additional snacks you want to keep you energised during your pilgrimage walk. Please bring plenty of water. 

We will still walk if it is raining. But, if the weather is considered too dangerous by the guides we will contact you as soon as we have made the decision to cancel or postpone to another date. 

You may cancel your one day walk booking at any stage by contacting us directly. Admin charges apply for any cancellation within or up to and including 30 days notice: 

• More than 30 event - No fee and a full refund 

• 14-30 days inclusive before the event - full refund less £10 admin fee 

• 24 hours-14 days inclusive before the event - 50% refund less £10 admin fee

• Less than 24 hours before the event - no refund 

If we have to cancel your booking, you will receive a full refund or option to postpone your pilgrimage date, with no admin fee. Please note there are different cancellation terms for residential retreats, please see the retreat booking information to find out more. Thank you