AN INVITATION
To escape the noise of the modern world and reclaim your voice in an evolving history of England—on a path carved by travellers for over 1500 years.
ABOUT THE GREAT ENGLISH WAY
The Great English Way CIC is a registered Community Interest Company (COMPANY NUMBER 17169206) dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and protection of the historic 400-mile cultural path between Falmouth and Canterbury. Founded on the principles of our “Pilgrim’s Charter,” we view the English landscape as a shared heritage—a space where history, nature, and the human spirit intersect to foster well-being and community connection. It is currently being mapped and waymarked on public lamposts by founder Alan and his labrador Hari to enable people to follow the path without having to use Smartphones!
The Three H’s: Health, History, and Heritage
The Great English Way is built upon a foundational commitment to the “Three H’s,” ensuring that every step taken on the path contributes to a larger tapestry of well-being:
- Health (Physical & Mental Recovery): We view the path as a space for profound holistic recovery. Walking the Way is a therapeutic process—a “circuit-breaker” for those seeking to overcome the weights of addiction, the trauma of sexual abuse, and the cycles of violence. Through physical endurance, organic plant-based nutrition, and the practice of mindfulness, we facilitate a return to natural vitality, helping individuals process deep-seated trauma and rediscover their internal balance.
- History: The route from Falmouth to Canterbury is a corridor through time. By engaging with the deep historical narratives of the land, pilgrims find a broader perspective on their own lives, understanding that we are part of a story much larger than our immediate circumstances.
- Heritage: This is our shared cultural inheritance. By protecting the path as a “Cultural Artifact,” we ensure that the spirit of the pilgrimage remains a living reality for everyone, regardless of their past.
YOU ASKED FOR IT SO WE NOW HAVE INSTAGRAM!
For Each Section of The Great English Way Alan is Curating a playlist of Cornish songs and musicians to showcase the rich cultural heritage along the path.. Our first playlist is Cornwall where Alan departed Falmouth on 1st May 2026 towards the ancient Capital of Launceston.
The Sanctuary Network
Our vision is to establish a series of Sanctuaries along the route. These hubs are designed to support walkers and local communities through three core pillars:
- Hospitality & Refuge: Providing a warm bed and a safe environment for reflection, rest, learning, sharing stories. This will always be available for anyone who holds a Great English Way passport and is in need of a safe space for whatever reason.
- Sustainable Nutrition: Maintaining Kitchen Gardens and working with local suppliers to provide wholesome, organic meals.
- Renewable Innovation: Utilizing solar cooking and off-grid power to minimize our environmental footprint.
It is our intention to learn from the Camino de Santiago model and develop ultra low cost shared accommodation, with a pilgrim meal for between £10 and £15 per night through either tented accommodation, or by redeveloping and restoring buildings along the path to achieve this goal. It is fair to say that in England, millions of pounds of investment has been mostly made in path maintenance, and legal wranglings, and little or no hospitality infrastructure, and where there is, it is hugely expensive and not often on the path.. we aim to change all that by creating a new model and creating investment opportunities in our hospitality program of 21 building rest stops and showcasing the best in English Hospitality, because we love being hospitable not because we just want to make a profit. More soon.
The Stewards & Scholars Program
At the heart of our mission is the Stewards & Scholars of the Path initiative. This program provides vocational training and mentorship for unemployed individuals, disadvantaged youth, and those seeking a way out of criminality and anti-social behavior.
By participating in the daily operations of our Sanctuaries—from gardening to hospitality—our “Stewards” develop practical life skills, discipline, and a renewed sense of purpose. The Way offers a restorative environment where individuals can move beyond their past labels, learning to become guardians of the path and, in turn, guardians of their own future.
The Founder: Alan Macmillan Orr
The Great English Way was conceived by Alan Macmillan Orr, an author and philosopher with a lifelong inquiry into the relationship between human consciousness and the natural world. In his seminal work, The Natural Mind – Waking Up, he explored how our environment shapes our thoughts, advocating for a return to an authentic, integrated way of being.
Alan’s work is centered on personal human evolution. He invites participants to move beyond “the conditioned mind”—the layers of societal pressure and past trauma—to rediscover their own unfiltered voice. This is supported by:
- The Sail Trader Initiative: A blueprint for a truly ethical economy using wind-powered transport (the Ariana) to bypass polluting global systems.
- Ethical & Plant-Based Sovereignty: Ensuring every supplier adheres to a strict code of land preservation and fair wages, prioritizing a lifestyle of compassion.
Alan invites you to join him on this path—to explore the landscape of your mind, rediscover the sanctity of the small, and embrace the unbound journey of personal growth.
Documenting the Story: Ariana Film Company
In partnership with the Ariana Film Company Ltd, we document the growth of the route and the success of our community programs. The film company captures the journey of those reclaiming their lives on the path, ensuring these stories of transformation are preserved as a cultural artifact for generations to come.
THE PILGRIM’S CHARTER
Our Tenfold Commitment to the Land, the Community, and the Path
1. Leave it Better Than You Found It We don’t just carry our own trash; we pick up what others have left behind. We treat the path as our own home, recognizing that clearing the land of “human noise” (waste) helps us clear our own minds of “mental noise.”
2. Respect People’s Privacy We stay on the marked paths and respect all “Private” signs. We remember that we are guests passing through someone else’s backyard, and we treat their home with the respect it deserves.
3. Look After the Animals We are careful around livestock and wildlife. We keep dogs on leads, close every gate behind us, and never disturb the animals that live here. Protecting the vulnerable is part of our journey.
4. Buy Local We support the people who live along the route. Whether it’s a village shop, a local cafe, or a farm stall, we put our money back into the small communities that keep the path alive.
5. Keep it Quiet We respect the peace of the countryside. We keep our voices down and our impact light, making sure the quiet of the trail is there for everyone to enjoy.
6. Look Out for Each Other No one walks alone unless they want to. We stay aware of the group, carry enough supplies, and make sure that nobody is left behind or put at risk.
7. Tell the Truth We keep an honest record of our journey. We share our experiences truthfully, helping to build a real history of the walk for those who come after us.
8. Leave Labels at the Start On this path, everyone is equal. We leave our backgrounds, past mistakes, and outside labels behind, treating every person we meet with the same level of dignity.
9. Report Problems We act as the eyes and ears of the path. If we see a broken gate, a blocked way, or an animal in trouble, we report it to the right people so the Way stays safe for everyone.
10. Walk for the Next Person We know that how we behave today determines if pilgrims are welcome tomorrow. We walk in a way that ensures the next generation is always invited back.
BREAKING NEWS:
THE CREATION OF THE PATH WILL BEGIN ON 1ST MAY 2026 WITH ALAN AND HIS SIDEKICK HARI THE LABRADOR AT PENDENNIS CASTLE , FALMOUTH,
We will be stopping at the following towns and cities
STOPPING AT THE FOLLOWING TOWNS AND CITIES – FALMOUTH, TRURO, ST COLUMB MAJOR, BOLEVENTOR, LAUNCESTON, OKEHAMPTON, EXETER, HONITON, AXMINSTER, BRIDPORT, BLANDFORD FORUM, SALISBURY, WINCHESTER ALTON, FARNHAM, GUILDFORD, REIGATE, WROTHAM, THURNHAM, CHILHAM, AND CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL…
We hope to chat with you along the way and film/record the voices and people of the path to create a digital cultural archive of the Soul of England.
To arrange an personal interview please contact Alan here
The Great English Way: More Than Just a Walk.
What is this?
The Great English Way is a 22-day journey from the edge of Cornwall to the heart of Canterbury. But it isn’t your typical hiking trail. It’s a way to step out of the daily grind—away from the bills, the screen time, and the feeling that you’re just a cog in the machine—and back into the real world.
Why is it different?
We call this a “Cultural Artifact” because it’s a living story that you become a part of.
- The Sound: Instead of generic radio, we’ve built a soundtrack for every mile. You’ll hear everything from local sea shanties and church choirs to the modern electronic beats that were born in these hills. It’s the sound of England’s soul, past and present.
- The Stories: You aren’t walking alone. We’ve brought along the “ghosts” of the people who shaped this country—from kings to scientists—to tell you the stories of the land as you cross it.
- The People: This path is for everyone. It’s for the “sanctuary seekers”—anyone looking for a bit of peace, a bit of truth, or just a chance to clear their head.
The “Ledger” vs. The Path
The world usually tries to turn us into numbers—tax codes, credit scores, and data points. We call that “The Ledger.” On this walk, the Ledger is closed. Nobody cares what you do for a living or how much is in your bank account. On the Great English Way, you’re just a human being with 22 days of road ahead of you.
Join Us
You don’t need a special permit or a fancy kit to be a part of this. You just need to be curious. Whether you’re walking the actual cliffs or just exploring the music and stories from your sofa, you’re part of the “Ariana” crew now.
Put your boots on, turn up the music, and let’s see where the road takes us.
See you on The Great English Way!
Interactive Map
use the interactive map to find places of interest, places of worship, accommodation, hospitality… click to go to the full screen version. A stage by Stage OS Map with GPX download is also available here