Overview

The Purpose

Recovery is not a solo activity, nor is it merely a mental one. This retreat is an opportunity for 10 men to walk together for an entire week along ancient paths in rural England, forming bonds, facing challenges, sharing meals and personal experiences.  In the process we will work our way through all seven stages of the Samson Society’s Path, taking time for deliberate work at each stage.  

The Trail and the Inns

Our walk begins in the river valleys west of Salisbury, a lush and watery countryside steeped in history. The trail then leads up onto the chalk downs of the Cranborne Chase, one of England’s ‘areas of outstanding natural beauty.’ From there we descend into Somerset, past castle ruins and majestic views, to the ancient country town of Sherborne.


Along the way, we stay in three historic inns (two nights in each):


The Lamb Inn in Hindon, a gorgeous Wiltshire village on the edge of Fonthill estate, has been a 'public house' since the 12th century. 


The Grosvenor Arms, located in the hilltop market town of Shaftesbury, has been serving guests since medieval times.


The Queens Arms on Corton Denham is an award-winning inn a few miles from the country town of Sherborne, on the Somerset/Dorset border.


The Hosts

Aaron Porter and Nate Larkin, hosts of the Pirate Monk Podcast, have been friends for nearly 20 years.  Aaron is a veteran of pastoral ministry and the creator of Soul Architecture.  Nate is the author of Samson and the Pirate Monks: Calling Men to Authentic Friendship, and is known as a speaker and conference leader.  Together, they have walked the road of recovery with hundreds of men.


Schedule and Itinerary


Stage OneSunday

Arrive at the Lambs Inn, Hindon, in the afternoon. Check in, then rest or explore the village of Hindon. At the fringes of the village are old coaching roads and an abandoned village. You can even walk to the Great Ridge, site of an ancient Roman road. After dinner at the Lamb's Pub, we will convene for introductions and cover Stage One of the Path.


Stage TwoMonday

We take it easy today in order to adjust to the time zone. After a leisurely full English breakfast, we take the local bus that runs through the village to the nearby city of Salisbury, where there is much to see: the incredible Salisbury Cathedral, the Magna Carta, the Close, St. Thomas's Church, and Old Sarum, as well as shops and cafes. Stonehenge is a short taxi ride away. Back at the Inn after dinner, we assign temporary Silases and spend time in personal preparation for Stage Three.


Stage ThreeTuesday

After another full English breakfast, a transfer service carries us to the start-point for the trail. Our walk today is 9.5 miles long. We walk in pairs, following the trail through charming hamlets, past old manor houses and thatched cottages, while sharing with our temporary Silas the Course and Consequences of our attempts to live apart from God. Conversation continues at the ruins of Old Wardour Castle, which was built in the 14th century and partially destroyed during the English Civil War. After dinner at a nearby pub, the transfer service picks us up and takes us to the Grosvenor Arms in Shaftsbury, where our luggage is waiting.


Stage FourWednesday

This is a day devoted to cultivating the Daily Disciplines of prayer, study, and self-examination. After breakfast, a transfer service takes us to the start of today's walk, a 8.5 mile path through the beautiful Dorset countryside and the villages of Compton Abbas, Ashmore, and Tollard Royal. At the top of Melbury Beacon, we pause to journal while enjoying the same 360-degree views that inspired English author Thomas Hardy, Back at the inn, we gather after dinner to share what we have learned.


Stage FiveThursday

Today we intentionally practice collaborative decision-making. Over another massive full English breakfast, we each identify a life decision we need to make. Then, over the course of an 8.5 mile walk through the heart of Wessex, we discuss those decisions with our brothers. There are great views, rolling hills, and two castles on this trail. We stop for lunch in the old market town of Sherborne, decide which castle we are going to visit, and take time to pray at Sherborne Abbey, a former Saxon cathedral founded by St Aldhelm in AD 705. A short walk takes us to our next inn, where our luggage is waiting for us. In the evening, we have follow-up conversations at the pub.


Stage SixFriday

This is a day to contemplate amends. The trail, which begins at the door of the inn, wanders across the Somerset countryside and through the villages of Sutton Montis and South Cadbury, whose churches date from the 13th century. Atop the much older hill fort of Cadbury, possible site of King Arthur’s Camelot, we take time to remember those we have harmed in the past and to consider appropriate amends. This walk is 8.5 miles long.


Stage SevenSaturday

Departure Day. At breakfast we share the ways we have resolved to be of service to others rather than ourselves. Then we take our luggage and our memories to Sherborne station, where we catch the train back to London (or on to Oxford, for those who wish to extend their stay).



What's Included

* Accommodation for 6 nights, bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms.


* A full English breakfast each day.


* Transportation from inn to trail (when necessary).


* Luggage transfers between inns


* A comprehensive Walk and Explore box that includes:


* 2 x sets of local maps with trails clearly marked (on fully waterproof paper)


* 2 x sets of trail cards, one for each day, with clear easy-to-follow written directions. These include local histories and stories.


* Recommended lunchtime stops at country pubs or cafes



Getting There

For international travelers, the best arrival airport is London, Heathrow.  From there you can travel by train, subway, bus, or taxi to Waterloo Station, where a direct train (no changes) will carry you to Tisbury, Wiltshire, the closest train station to the trail’s starting-point.

 

At the end of the walk, the nearest train station will be in Sherborne, Dorset, where the same train line that serves Tisbury will take you back to Waterloo Station.



What's Not Included


* Airfare to and from London Heathrow 


* Train fare from Heathrow to Waterloo Station and back. (The best way to get from Heathrow Airport to Waterloo Underground Station is by train and subway, which costs $7 to $45 each way, depending on what time you travel and whether you buy your ticket in advance. There is no direct train, but services depart from the airport at the T2 & 3 Train Station and arrive at Waterloo station via Paddington station.  The trip, including transfers, takes about 32 minutes.)


* Train fare from Waterloo Station to Tisbury.  (Trains depart from Waterloo hourly at 15 minutes past the hour. The trip takes 1 hour 50 minutes and costs $50 to $100, depending on what time you travel and whether you buy your ticket in advance.)


* Train fare from Sherborne to Waterloo Station.  (Trains depart from Sherborne approximately hourly. The trip takes 2 hour 15 minutes and costs $60 to $120, depending on what time you travel and whether you buy your ticket in advance.)


* Lunches, dinners, and drinks.



What to Pack


* Waterproof walking shoes or boots


* Lots of socks


* Comfortable (small) daypack


* Water bottle


* Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses


* Travel tissues


* Hand sanitizer


* Raincoat or lightweight poncho


* Weatherproof pants


* Layered clothing


* Energy bars


* Smartphone/camera


* Chargers and adapters


* Notebook and pen 




Register

  • You get your own bedroom every night.

  • You get your own room for the first two nights and the last two nights, but for the two nights in the middle you share a room with one other guy.

  • You share a room and a bath with one other guy for the entire trip. (You each have a twin bed.)


Personal Info



$0.00
$0.00
$0.00


Purchase ProtectionRECOMMENDED

Add Purchase Protection for a small fee and get a 100% refund of your registration purchase should you be prevented from attending due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance. (Full Terms)

Why protect your registration purchase? Purchase Protection covers:

Severe Illness and InjurySevere Illness and Injury
COVID-19COVID-19
HospitalizationHospitalization
Death in FamilyDeath in Family
Transportation FailureTransportation Failure
Crime and Home EmergencyCrime and Home Emergency
Employment ObligationsEmployment Obligations
Acts of NatureActs of Nature
Legal ObligationsLegal Obligations

Purchase Protection covers many common unforeseen circumances, but exclusions apply. View full List of qualifying circumstances and exclusions.

* Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Not available for or applicable to events, attendees, or travel outside of the USA. Purchase Protection is a service offered by Purchase Protection LLC. Purchase Protection is not an insurance policy. It is a service that will refund you 100% of your event fees, taxes and dues should you be prevented by unforeseen circumstances from attending the event. Purchase Protection does not apply to, and will not reimburse, merchandise purchases and charitable donations. Purchase Protection fees will be charged as a separate transaction. Any changes made to your purchase will not change the amount covered in this agreement.

Read Full Terms and Conditions


Billing Information

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • American Express
  • Discover
RegFox Event Registration Software