The Church of England’s first female leader walked almost 90 miles from St Paul Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral ahead of her installation on Wednesday 25 March.
On her way, she called at various churches, cathedrals and abbeys, including a visit to Lesnes Abbey.
The archbishop presented Chris Hawkins, Chair and Treasurer of the Friends of Lesnes Abbey & Woods (FoLAW), with a pewter scallop shell as a gift. The scallop shell is the traditional symbol of pilgrimage and journey.
Dame Sarah was given a brief tour of Lesnes Abbey during her early morning visit, before setting off through Lesnes Abbey Woods to continue her journey.
Discussing the Lesnes leg of the pilgrimage, which got underway with a 6am start from Woolwich, she said: "We began with time for reflection among the ruins of Lesnes Abbey – a place that speaks prayer across the centuries."
Lesnes Abbey is a ruined 12th century abbey surrounded by 88 hectares of ancient woodland, parkland and a prehistoric fossil pit. It is just 10 minutes walk from Abbey Wood Station, and connected to Thamesmead and the Thames Path by the Green Chain Walk.
