The Seeds of Love

A Song Pilgrimage

A Pilgrimage to Re-Wild a Song…

Saturday 27th September 2025 - 10am - 4:30pm

Saturday 11th October 2025 - 10am - 4:30pm

5 miles - 10am-4.30 pm

Saturday, September 27th // Saturday, October 11th

Come join us on a guided song pilgrimage through Somerset’s ancient landscape, to discover the healing nature of traditional song and rewild one of the first collected love songs of the Folksong Revival.

‘The Seeds of Love’ is the traditional song that Cecil Sharp collected from John England, the gardener of Hambridge, back in 1903. This song sparked Sharp’s entire song-collecting career, and the national folksong movement that followed.

Our pilgrimage aims to take this song home, to re-wild it in the landscape that bore it. Sharp collected this song and took it to London, arranging and publishing it, dressing it in black tie. So on this pilgrimage, we return the song to the waterways and tree roots from which it was born. 

But as well as singing the song back to the natural landscape, we’ll take time to encounter and understand the song’s original meaning. As well as its melody and historic relevance, this is a song that talks about relationships, the limitations and patterns we create and perpetuate within them.

The aim of our pilgrimage is to learn and sing this song together as a gift to the landscape, culminating in a visit to where the song was collected - the church in the small village Hambridge. 

But the act of singing traditional songs is a transformative one, as these songs explore universal themes that connect us all. We shall also spend time looking at our own responses to the questions the song raises - themes of love, loss and renewal. 

With some gentle reflection and meditation, we’ll share some simple rituals of letting go that which we don’t need, and inviting in that which nourishes our lives and relationships.

About the Pilgrimage Route

We meet on Saturday 27 Sept, at the Sycamore tree on top of Burrow Hill, Somerset. 

From here we journey together into the Somerset countryside, with a song as our guide. The pilgrimage is a loop from Burrow Hill to Hambridge and back, ending at the famous Cider Farm, where under ancient orchards we’ll drink deeply our apple juice pledge for new seeds planted in our lives and souls, and toast the singers who came before and who follow. 

Participants are required to have basic walking fitness and mobility. There are some stiles and narrow bridges. This is an adult-only event. Participants are also asked to be willing to learn a new song - perhaps with harmonies. Further, we hope that you’ll approach the meditation and reflection aspect of this pilgrimage with open hearts and gentle respect for each other. 

What’s Included

Pilgrim participants to recieve: 

  • a hazel pilgrim staff

  • a printed lyric sheet of the song

  • a deep draught of something appley at the end of the day

  • an introduction to British pilgrimage traditions and techniques

  • foraged pilgrim tea

  • reflective guidance in meeting our inner patterns

  • group song circles to learn and offer this beautiful traditional song

  • A 5 mile walking ramble through exquisite landscapes of Somerset.

About your Guides

Your guides are William Parsons - a pilgrim of 20+ yrs experience, founder of the British Pilgrimage Trust and A Walk Around Britain; and Dr. Elsa Field - an internationally acclaimed singer and sound healer who supports women to reclaim their voices for healing & renewal.

FAQS about the Event

How do I get to the meeting point?
We recommend you drive to the meeting point at Burrow Hill (the exact location will be sent to you after booking). Parking is available for free on Saturdays at the Somerset Cider Farm, where we will start and finish our journey. If you are not driving, the nearest train stations are Crewkerne (25 minutes by taxi) and Yeovil Junction (35 minutes by taxi).

Can I bring a dog?
This is a no-dog journey, sorry.

What facilities are available?
Toilet facilities are available at Burrow Hill, at the beginning and end of the day. 

What time does it start & end?
We start at 10am and will aim to finish by approximately 4.30 pm.

Is the route hilly?
This 5-mile route is fairly flat, except for one short, steep hill at the very beginning (Burrow Hill). 

Do I need to be a singer / musician to take part?
No prior musical experience is required to take part in our song pilgrimage events.

What is the group size?
Each pilgrimage day is limited to 12 participants total.

Can I bring a partner or group?
Absolutely. For group bookings of 5 participants or more, please contact us to check there is availability before booking.

Can I book this for another unlisted date?
If neither avaiable date suits you, we can arrange a guided private event.