12th June to 15th June 2023 • West Sussex

Folk singer and nature lover Sam Lee invites you on a three-night Pilgrimage to ‘re-wild’ one of Britain’s ancient traditional songs back to the very birds that inspired the folk song.

When does a song need to be rewilded? What does the rare and almost-disappeared Turtle Dove have to do with British folk song tradition? These are questions we will be exploring as we chart the song-line connecting the Turtle Dove’s song source to Sussex’ last colony of this species. This journey will explore the relationship our disappearing ancient songs have with the rapid ecological decline happening right now in the UK.

We will walk amongst herds of deer, longhorn cattle and many rare species that have found sanctuary in this land that time forgot, eventually meeting the small colony of Turtle Doves purring their mystical song in the old oak trees.

We will carry most of our own gear, camp on the land and spend our nights round the fire singing and telling stories.

This journey includes wild-swimming, foraging, drinking spring water, local history, nature connection activities, tree climbing, and singing this stunning song, sharing it with those we encounter on our journey.

We will be carrying and cooking (over a fire) all of our own food.
Your place includes all food and drink (from Tuesday morning onwards) and two or three nights of camping in a mixture of churches (Monday) and tents (Tuesday & Wednesday).

This 20+ mile journey will be on foot and is for competent walkers only but for singers of any ability.

Click here for further information and a list of required kit