Walk With The Thames

Join Us for a Pilgrimage Along the Thames: Honouring Our Living Rivers

‍

We invite you to join us in walking along the River Thames, journeying from Gravesend to Cliffe, in reverence for the river and all that she gifts us. This pilgrimage is part of Em’s wider journey along rivers in the UK, raising awareness for the Rights of Rivers movement and her petition to grant rivers and rias legal personhood in the UK - a vital step toward stronger protection and recognition of rivers as living entities with their own intrinsic value.

‍

In celebration of World Animal Day, participants are encouraged to dress as river creatures - from dragonflies to fish to majestic birds - embodying the life that flows through the river and celebrating the Thames as a living, breathing ecosystem.

‍

While this pilgrimage follows the Thames rather than the Medway, the rivers are intrinsically linked. The Medway flows into the Thames and onward to the sea - and all rivers are connected, forming a network of life and interdependence that stretches far beyond our immediate surroundings. This journey is an opportunity to reflect on that interconnectedness, to honour the waters that sustain us, and to raise collective awareness for the Rights of Rivers everywhere.

‍

The pilgrimage begins at Gravesend Station and concludes at the Eternal Nature Reserve, where participants will gather for an afternoon of inspiration, learning, and celebration. The day will feature thought-provoking talks, hands-on workshops, shared stories, and joyful community activities designed to uplift our collective spirit and deepen our connection to the living river. It’s a chance to come together, celebrate life, and explore practical ways to protect the waterways that sustain us.

‍Event Details:

‍
📍 Where: Gravesend Station → Eternal Nature Reserve, Cliffe
📅 When: 4th October 2025
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
🎭 Dress: As a river animal (costumes encouraged!)

✍️ Support the Cause: Em’s petition to grant rivers and rias legal personhood in the UK is live. It needs 10,000 signatures for a government response and 100,000 for debate in Parliament. Add your name and help protect our rivers here.

Below, you’ll find the full programme and all the practical details to help you prepare. Please take a moment to complete the Emergency Contact Form before the event so we can keep everyone safe.

PROGRAMME

MORNING PILGRIMAGE

‍

• 9:00am – Meet at Gravesend Railway Station. Gather at the station exit. Welcome, introductions, and a short grounding before we set off.
• 9:30am – Begin the Walk.
• Approx. 1:30pm – Arrive at Eternal Lake Nature Reserve.

‍

LUNCH

‍

• 1:30–2:00pm – Lunch. Please bring a packed lunch. Eternal Nature Reserve also has a café if you’d prefer to buy food. Note: Bring plenty of water (2–3L recommended).

‍

AFTERNOON TALKS & WORKSHOPS

‍

• 2:00–2:30pm – Talk 1: Rights of Rivers – Josh Levene.
• A sharp, informative session to frame the global and local issues around recognising rivers as living entities with rights.
• 2:30–3:00pm – Talk 2: Pilgrimage for Change – Voices of Water Foundation and Friends of the River Medway .
• How collective walking and pilgrimage can shape awareness, inspire movements, and help protect rivers.
• 3:00–4:00pm – Art Workshop: Natural Pigments with Nikki Rudd.
• Together we will make art from natural materials (e.g. chalk, earth, berries, charcoal) and river water, creating artwork inspired by the Thames and our walk. This is a chance to embody the day’s themes and take something home that reflects your personal journey.
• 4:00pm – Closing Circle.
• Reflections and farewells. Participants make their onward journey (bus/train/taxi/lift shares: details below).

‍

ROUTE OVERVIEW

We follow the Thames shoreline, based on the Travel Log Lewes and Kentish Thames Walk. This section of the Saxon Shore Way takes us through wild estuary landscapes, rich with history, wildlife, and shifting tidal edges. The route is mostly signed, though sometimes patchy – we’ll walk as a group, with a lead walker and back marker.

‍

1. Start: Gravesend Railway Station (exit)
2. Walk: ~4 hours along the Thames shoreline via the Saxon Shore Way to Eternal Nature Reserve.
3. Finish: Continue 20 minutes further to Cliffe (bus stop next to the Six Bells pub for return to Gravesend).

‍

TRANSPORT

Getting There:

‍

• Trains to Gravesend run regularly from London and Rochester. Check times on National Rail.
• Lifts from Forest Row: join our WhatsApp group to arrange shared travel.

‍

Getting Back:

‍

• Bus from Cliffe to Gravesend: last service at 17:00, arriving ~17:35 at Gravesend.
• Train connections available onward.
• Lifts from Forest Row: join our WhatsApp group to arrange shared travel.

‍

FOOD & WATER

• Please bring a packed lunch and snacks; or Eternal Nature Reserve has a café (for those who prefer to buy food on arrival).
• Bring 2–3L of water – vital, as there are no refill points on the walk.
• Water is available at the reserve.

‍

SAFETY & CARE

• This is a gentle but long riverside walk. Paths may be uneven, muddy, or slippery.
• Please wear sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
• Please bring any personal medication you may need.

‍

CONTACTS

1. Organiser: Zofia Page - 07713574941
2. Whatsapp Group (for travel updates + on-the-day coordination).