2-5pm on Sunday 2nd August 2026, from St David’s Ashprington to within sight of St Mary’s, Totnes. Join Sam for a predominantly silent walk through the beautiful Sharpham Estate, with inspirations and reflections drawn from her Taoist and Christian contemplative practice. Booking is essential – please see below & offered on a donation basis – £40 suggested (£20 concessions).
Wild Church takes inspiration from the Celtic Christian practice of peregrinatio – of wandering and wondering in a spirit of open heartedness and curiosity. Similarly, Taoist cloudwandering, known as yunyou (云游), describes the lifestyle of Daoist monks and hermits who travel freely from mountain to mountain without fixed schedules or destinations. This practice reflects core philosophical ideals of non-attachment, inner freedom, and oneness with nature.
Although we will have a destination, our emphasis will be not on ‘getting there’ but rather on opening to the journey and the wild beings we encounter along the Way. We will walk at a relaxed but steady pace with pauses, which will include invitations for reflection and embodied practice, drawing upon Sam’s experience of Christian and Taoist spirituality, combined with contemporary nature connection practices. We will close with a silent ‘wild communion/tea ceremony’.
This particular pilgrimage route moves from the ancient village church of Ashprington, along the River Dart and follows the water back towards a source in Totnes, within sight of the old priory church of St Mary’s. The walk is around 3 miles and includes steep slopes, stiles , narrow paths and uneven terrain, so a reasonable level of fitness is needed. This is a one way guided pilgrimage, with the option to either make your own way from Totnes or wander back to our start point, in conversation with the guide & others.
To book, please contact Sam.