Quaker Journey 2027

Travel from the United States to Manchester, England and overnight at the four-star Clayton Hotel (adjacent to the airport) or other lodging. Early arrivals generally go into the city together from the hotel for sightseeing and/or dinner and an evening stroll.

We take a charter coach from The Clayton Hotel to our home for the week, the Victorian-era Glenthorne Quaker Conference Centre and Guest House, in the charming village of Grasmere that William Wordsworth called The loveliest spot that man hath ever found.

Afternoon options include a packed Glenthorne lunch, afternoon tea, rest, local exploration, and other activities.​​​​​​ We then orient ourselves to Glenthorne and our week together and enjoy nurturing new connections during the first of our three-course dinners. 

The Vision

• Pendle Hill: Ascend to the summit (optional) to behold the "views of a great people to be gathered" and to worship in community.
• Saint Andrew’s Church: See the Sedbergh church where George Fox challenged the Anglican establishment, calling for a direct experience of faith.

The Gathering

• Fox’s Pulpit/Firbank Fell: Stand upon the windswept "Fox’s Pulpit" rock where a three-hour sermon gathered a thousand people into a movement.
• Brigflatts Meeting House: Step into one of the world's most beloved Quaker spaces. Built in 1675, it is renowned for its profound simplicity and the "radiance" of its ancient woodwork.

• Historic Meeting House Trail: Trace the evolution of the Society of Friends through a series of sacred spaces, each with its own story of endurance:

  • Airton Meeting House: A 17th-century gem in the heart of the beautiful Malhamdale.
  • Colthouse Meeting House: A secluded sanctuary once frequented by William Wordsworth.
  • Lancaster Meeting House: 
  • Preston Patrick Meeting House: The spiritual home of the "Seekers."
  • Swarthmoor Meeting House: Built with funds gifted by George Fox himself.

The Movement

• Swarthmoor Hall: Immerse yourself in the Fell family estate, including the 17th-century gardens, the historic kitchen, and the Great Hall where Margaret Fell and George Fox organized the global mission.
• Lancaster Castle/Prison: Walk the sobering grounds where Fox, Fell, and many other early Friends suffered imprisonment for their testimonies.

Everyday Joy

We balance our deep history with the "sacrament of the everyday." Enjoy a stroll through the cobblestone streets of Hawkshead Village and perhaps a tour of the Wensleydale Creamery—sampling the legendary Yorkshire cheeses famously loved by Wallace and Gromit.

Itinerary Reflection

The power of '1652 Country' lies not just in its modern beauty, but in its ability to speak to us today, as British historian and Quaker Roy Stephenson (our 2013 and 2018 guide and a guest for 2024, 2026, and 2027) explains in this 2010 article.

Choose Your Own Adventure

Thursday and Saturday are yours to follow your own leading. Whether you seek the solitude of a mountain tarn, the history of a poet’s desk, or the simple joy of a Grasmere gingerbread, the Lake District offers a sanctuary for every spirit. All sites are accessible via local transport, biking, or on foot.

For the Literary & Artistic Soul

• The Wordsworth Circuit: Visit Dove Cottage, Rydal Mount, or Allan Bank to see the homes where William Wordsworth composed his most famous fells-inspired poetry. Don't miss the Wordsworth Museum and his peaceful resting place at St. Oswald’s Church.
• Beatrix Potter’s Hilltop: Explore the farmhouse and gardens that inspired the beloved world of Peter Rabbit.
• The Arts & Crafts Movement: Visit the Blackwell Arts and Crafts House or the Heaton Cooper Studio, a celebrated gallery and shop for local landscape art.
• Brantwood: The home of John Ruskin, the Victorian artist and social reformer whose radical ideas on labor and beauty still echo in Quaker values today.

For the Active Explorer

• The High Peaks: Take a rigorous hike up Helm Crag (the "Lion and the Lamb") or one of the many surrounding fells for panoramic views of the "1652 Country."
• Water & Wood: Embark on a cruise across Windermere, England’s largest lake, or take a peaceful walk to Easedale Tarn, a hidden mountain lake perfect for reflection.
• On Two Wheels: Rent a bike to navigate the winding lanes and hidden valleys of the countryside at your own pace.

For the History & Storyseeker

• Ancient Echoes: Visit the Castlerigg Stone Circle, a site of mystery older than Stonehenge, or the ruins of the Roman fort Galava.
• Taffy Thomas’s Garden: Spend time in the garden of Britain’s first storyteller laureate for a masterclass in the oral tradition.
• Mosedale Meeting House: Enjoy the quiet of the Mosedale Meeting House and Coffee Shop, a perfect example of Quaker hospitality.
• The Pencil Museum: Take the local bus north to Keswick, home to the quirky and fascinating Cumberland Pencil Museum.

Local Delights & Simple Joys

• Grasmere Gingerbread: Follow the scent of spice to Sarah Nelson’s Gingerbread Shop, a local landmark since 1854.
• The All Creatures Tour: For fans of James Herriot, take a driving tour through the landscapes that inspired All Creatures Great and Small.
• The Bay: Head south for a restorative visit to the vast sands of Morecambe Bay.

Resources for Discernment

• Rick Steves' 2012 Lake District Program: From Dove Cottage to an ancient stone circle, get a 20-minute visual overview of our "home" for the week.
• 10 Reasons Why You Should Visit the Lake District: Enjoy stunning photography of the fells and valleys we will call our own.

Please note itinerary details are subject to change.

We'll have various opportunities for reflection and sharing, for small-group walks, for shop and pub visits, and for other optional activities.

The itinerary incorporates some walking and an optional climb up Pendle Hill; if you have questions about mobility expectations, please contact the trip organizers at ExtendedLearning@cfsnc.org.

We host a pre-trip community-building and informational meeting to which all participants are invited. We also hope interest warrants at least one post-trip potluck open to all travelers. We're glad to include anyone at a distance via video-conferencing.

Please wait for participation confirmation from us before making any travel reservations.

International Travel

• Flights: Each person is responsible for arranging and paying for individual travel to and from England. Most participants fly directly into Manchester Airport (MAN). 
• Timing: England is five hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. We strongly encourage arriving the day before (Sunday) and staying at the Clayton Hotel to ensure you are rested and ready for our Monday morning start (we gladly make group reservations for all interested).
• Extensions: Some participants choose to extend their pilgrimage by traveling elsewhere in Europe before and/or after our time in the Lake District.

The Manchester-to-Grasmere Shuttle

We have arranged for one group shuttle (included in your registration) on the Monday morning starting our week.

• Pickup Location: Clayton Hotel near the Manchester Airport
  • If you plan to ride the shuttle from Manchester Airport, you must arrive before our 10:00-10:30 am departure on Monday morning.
• Possible Secondary Stop: Oxenholme Lake District rail station for those arriving by train.
• Destination: Glenthorne Quaker Conference Centre and Guest House, Grasmere

Alternative Transport

If the group shuttle does not align with your plans, you may also:

• Rail: Fly into other UK cities (like London, Edinburgh, or Glasgow) and take the train to the Oxenholme station, which is the gateway to the Lake District, and take a bus or taxi to Glenthorne.
• Drive: Rent a car at your port of entry and drive to Grasmere.
• Public Transit: Utilize the excellent local bus and rail networks within Cumbria.

The Grasmere-to-Manchester Shuttle

We have arranged for one group shuttle (included in your registration) on the Monday morning concluding our week.

• Pickup Location: Glenthorne Quaker Conference Centre and Guest House, Grasmere
• Possible Secondary Stop: Oxenholme Lake District rail station for those departing by train
• Destination: Manchester Airport
• The 10:00 AM Rule: If you plan to ride the shuttle to Manchester Airport, please don't plan an outbound flight before 10:00 am.

A Growing Circle of Friends

The Quaker Journey grew from a seed planted by the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM), which for decades has sponsored pilgrimages to England. For the Carolina Friends School staff who participated, the experience was more than a trip—it was a deep spiritual grounding that shaped their lives and work back home.

The Local Leading (2012–2013)

In Spring 2012, CFS staff members Cesanne Berry, Charlie Layman, and Natasha Shannon felt a leading to bring this experience to our local Quaker communities. Supported by Lynn Drake (Chapel Hill Friends Meeting) and Nikki Vangsnes (Durham Friends Meeting), and with the generous mentorship of PYM, we organized our first pilgrimage. In August 2013, 26 travelers--meeting members and current and retired CFS staff--experienced an unforgettable week in the Lake District. You can read more about that inaugural journey in this We & Thee article.

Expanding the Vision (2018–2026)

The transformative power of 2013 led Anthony L. Clay (now Director of CFS' the Institute for Teaching and Learning), Nikki Vangsnes, and Lynn Pickles (a Lake District native) to organize a second iteration in July 2018. Nearly 30 travelers gathered with British historian and guide Roy Stephenson for a week of immersion in Cumbria.

The call for this experience reached far beyond North Carolina as seekers from eight states coast to coast joined us in June 2024. F/friends from seven states journeyed to 1652 Country for our August 2026 journey.

Looking Forward (2027-2028)

The significance of these past journeys leads us to plan additional pilgrimages:

• 21-28 June 2027 (especially for Greensboro-area Quakers)
• 18-25 June or 17-24 September 2028 (TBD)

The circle continues to grow—won't you join us?

Anthony L. Clay
Carolina Friends School

A historian by training and a seeker by nature, Anthony serves as the founding head of the Institute for Teaching and Learning at Carolina Friends School. His leadership is rooted in a deep commitment to "transformational learning." He has spent three decades exploring the intersection of history, culture, and social justice, bringing his background as a teacher of U.S. history and politics into the "living classroom" of the bus and the trail.

An Arkansas native, Anthony earned baccalaureate degrees magna cum laude in History and International Relations from American University and an M.A. in History from Emory University, where he received Phi Beta Kappa honors. Since 2002, he has served the CFS community in various capacities—including Director of Advancement and Director of Extended Learning—and is the parent of CFS alumni who were nurtured by the same Quaker values that guide his work today.

Brenda Esch
New Garden Friends Meeting

Brenda is the pastoral minister at New Garden Friends Meeting. She's passionate about supporting individuals on their spiritual journeys and deepening connections within the Meeting and among its neighbors, near and far.

Prior to returning to Greensboro, Brenda was Head of School at Friends School of Wilmington (NC) from 2012 to 2023. She is currently a trustee at Pendle Hill, a Quaker study, retreat, and conference center in Wallingford, Pennsylvania.

Brenda earned a B.A. in Religious Studies with a related field of English at Guilford College and an M.Ed. in School Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, she completed coursework in pastoral care at the Earlham School of Religion.

A longtime Friend and daughter of Quaker leaders Keith and Virginia Esch, Brenda grew up at West Richmond (Indiana) Friends Meeting and attended New Garden while a Guilford student. Her adult children, Annie and Ryland, both live in Pennsylvania. Brenda loves live music and is an avid walker, often accompanied by her pup Bixby.

Lynn Pickles
Carolina Friends School

Lynn has always been passionate about teaching math, writing, and cultural geography, and feels very much at home at CFS as she was born in Nelson, Lancashire, in the shadows of Pendle Hill, a cornerstone place in the history of the Quaker movement. She and her husband John have a son, Leon, and they enjoy traveling whenever the opportunity presents itself. 

Lynn grew up working in her parents’ fish, fruit, and vegetable shop in the 1950s and her formal post-secondary education took place at St Martin’s College in Lancaster, England, after which she taught in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa for four years. She and her husband came to the U.S., to State College, Pennsylvania, in 1978 where Lynn worked as a Special Education Teacher and as a Young Adult and Children’s Librarian for the County.

She undertook a second Education / Math degree and a Masters Degree in International Affairs and Linguistics at Ohio University, prior to moving to Morgantown, West Virginia. There, she started an alternative elementary school with a group of parents.  Lynn later moved to The Lexington School, in Lexington, Kentucky, and then to the Duke School in Durham before working in Lower School Forest Class at Carolina Friends School. Now retired after almost 50 years of working with children, she has come full circle and is looking forward to taking you to Pendle Hill and tracing George Fox's 1652 itinerary.

The 2027 cost is $2,650 for double occupancy. We see many comparable themed, group trips to England, Italy, and other European destinations for $4,000, $5,000 and more dollars, plus transportation. We're glad to offer this experience for considerably less. 

Single rooms are available at a $160 supplement per person for the entire week.

The trip fee includes:

• all lodging and meals at Glenthorne Quaker Conference Centre and Guest House
• round-trip ground transportation via air-conditioned coach between Manchester and Glenthorne
• all ground transportation between Glenthorne and itinerary stops
• entry fees for all site visits
• honoraria for all guides and guest speakers
• chauffeur, Glenthorne staff, and other gratuities
• the services of three trip organizers and of knowledgeable British Quaker guides

The trip fee does not include:

• airfare
• alcohol with meals
• free day, evening, and other optional activities
• trip/travel insurance
• incidental purchases

A minimum $900 deposit is due at the time of application.

The balance will be due the week of 15 February.

We're glad to work with you on an alternative payment schedule. 

The $900 trip deposit is non-refundable unless we reach capacity and are then able to fill your space. After 15 February, the full trip tuition is non-refundable unless we're at capacity and can fill your space.

We encourage you to consider purchasing travel insurance to cover air travel and other expenses in unforeseen circumstances.

We have some tuition assistance funds available to support Carolina Friends staff members and other participants.

If you're in a position to do so, even a modest tax-deductible gift added to the overall tuition amount can increase our program funds and expand access. Thanks for your consideration!

Registration is open using this Google form!

If you'd like us to keep you updated on our transformational travel-learning and wellness programs (including the Quaker Journey 2028), please complete this brief notification form.