Guildford Travel Club Presents

Love, Life and Loss on Britain’s Pilgrim Paths

17th March 2026

Phoebe Smith

The Speaker
 

Sent on assignment to walk the most famous pilgrimage in the world – the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain, Phoebe somehow lost her way. Having spent a lifetime exploring unfamiliar places, she quit her dream job, ended her long-term relationship, and headed home to North Wales to discover the point to… everything.

Over several years she became obsessed with the UK's spiritual pathways, following holy trails all over the country from Iona to Cornwall, Yorkshire to Bedfordshire - yet she is not a religious person. For her these pilgrimages were not only about exploring the UK and its histories but about exploring herself and her own personal history. From losing her mother as a teenager, to surviving toxic relationships, an eating disorder and depression -  and harnessing the power of nature to find her way back to herself.

In this talk she recounts the complex nature of pilgrimages in Britain and skilfully weaves together her own story with that of countless travellers past and present. Will you come and wander with her?

Find out more about Phoebe on her website.


Caption 1
Caption 2