Group: Friends of Ryan & Jess Oliver
Dates: September 27 - October 7, 2026
Price: $5,795 per person (based on double occupancy)
Optional Group Air: Coming November 2025!
Greetings friends,
We want to invite you to participate in a unique pilgrimage to England in late September, early October 2026, to hear the story of Christianity through our own Anglican mothers and fathers. You may have been to England before, but this will be an opportunity to experience England as a spiritual pilgrimage. We will hear the story of how the Gospel made its way into England within just a few hundred years after the Resurrection, and went on to form one of the most expansive missionary rejoins in the history of the Church.
We will discover the story of the Church in England throughout the centuries, walk in the footsteps of pilgrims, and inhabit the same traditions of centuries of Christians throughout the ages. Our journey will have us explore the language and liturgy that uniquely shaped the English Church, from its humble beginnings to its magnificent cathedrals. We will reflect upon the lives of saints who forged daring missions, built monasteries and cathedrals, guided kings and parliaments, and stood bravely in opposition to medieval heresies and corrupt Church leaders. In doing so, we will also explore how the worldwide Anglican Church today continues to stand firm for the Gospel in yet another age of missions.
Along the way, as we explore many of the places that have formed our own Anglican heritage, we will also come to appreciate the England of today, its rich cultural heritage, and its unique blend of traditional and global cuisine, from pints to curries.
Our tour will be managed by our friends at Footstep Ministries. Bishop Paul Donison will be leading and teaching this tour personally, working with Deacon Robert Kincaid. Paul has taught and led countless Anglicans worldwide, and he will weave the message of the Gospel throughout the various ages of England’s history, from the first missionaries, to the establishment of the church, to the Reformation, and beyond. We know you will thoroughly enjoy his expertise, warmth, and good humor as Footstep will arrange all of our details, offering us personal attention all along the way.
Our journey is designed to be educational, inspirational, fun, and filled with great Christian fellowship. Look over our itinerary and imagine yourself in such special places as the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, Magdalene College Oxford where C.S. Lewis taught, Augustine of Canterbury’s Chapel, and Durham Cathedral. Please consider joining us on this exciting pilgrimage.
Grace and peace,
Jess & Ryan Oliver
Questions? Call us at 972-418-6103 or email us at [email protected].
As we journey together through the sacred landscapes of England, you will be guided by two faithful leaders who bring both heart and expertise to this pilgrimage.
Bishop Paul Donison will serve as our teacher and spiritual guide. With his gift of storytelling and his deep love for the Gospel, Bishop Paul will weave the remarkable story of the early church in England into our travels. As we stand in ancient cathedrals and walk the same paths as faithful believers of centuries past, he will help us see not just the stones and history, but the living testimony of God’s work through His people.
Alongside him, Deacon Robert Kincaid will graciously attend to the details that make our journey smooth and enjoyable. From meals to tickets to countless unseen arrangements, Robert’s care ensures that you can set aside distractions and be fully present to what God has for you on this adventure of faith.
Together, Bishop Paul and Deacon Robert will shepherd our group with wisdom, hospitality, and joy, creating space for both learning and spiritual renewal as we explore the rich Christian heritage of England.
Included in Your Tour Price
Accommodations – Carefully selected first-class/superior tourist hotels (double occupancy, private bath) chosen for comfort, location, and local character. Hotel taxes and service charges are included. (Single room upgrade available at additional cost.)
Daily Meals – Meals as indicated in the day-by-day itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner). Expect hot buffet breakfasts, thoughtfully arranged group dinners, and select lunches that highlight regional cuisine.
All Scheduled Land Transportation – Deluxe, air-conditioned motorcoach with professional driver for all group transfers and touring listed in the itinerary.
Sightseeing & Entrance Fees – Admission to all sites, museums, and activities specifically noted in the itinerary.
Hosted Teaching & Spiritual Reflection – Guided devotional moments, Scripture readings, and site talks led by Bishop Paul Donison, helping you connect place, story, and faith.
All Gratuities – Prepaid tips for hotel staff, restaurant service on included meals, local guides, and drivers—so you can relax and simply say “thank you.”
Baggage Handling – 1 piece of luggage per traveler transferred between bus and hotel room.
Headsets / Whisper Devices – Personal audio headsets so you can hear your guide clearly.
Pre-Trip Preparation Materials – Digital travel notes, packing tips, reading plan, and spiritual preparation resources sent in advance.
On-Tour Support – Full-time Footstep Ministries tour host team available throughout the journey for assistance, prayer, and logistical coordination.
International airfare, travel insurance, personal expenses, beverages other than those served with included meals, hotel upgrades, passport fees, incidentals, and any activities labeled “optional” in the itinerary.
Depart USA, arrive LHR
After arriving early we transfer to Oxford, home of the oldest university in the English-speaking world. The overwhelming majority of Christian leaders within England have been trained for ministry between Oxford and its collegiate sister city of Cambridge. After checking in at our hotel we will rest after our long journey until our orientation and opening dinner together. (D)
In the morning we will tour Christ Church College with its magnificent Great Dining Hall, and begin our walk through the history of the faith in England. After lunch in the heart of Oxford, we will discuss C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and the Inklings on our way to Magdalen College where Lewis taught for 29 years. Along the way we will visit the Martyr’s memorial and hear about three of Anglicanism’s key founding leaders: Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer. After dinner we will attend a beautiful Evensong service at Christ Church College. (B / L / D)
This morning we’re off to the village of Stow-on-the-Wold in the Cotswolds, the quintessentially English villages of honey-colored stone, markets, and breath-taking landscapes. We have an encounter with a piece of Tolkien’s Middle Earth and then in the afternoon return to Oxford for a free afternoon strolling through the town. A visit to Blackwell’s, the oldest bookstore in Oxford, is not to be missed! (B / D)
After a morning-long journey into Northern England and a brief stop for lunch, we will arrive in Durham. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this 11th century cathedral is considered the finest Norman building in Europe. Here we hear the stories of Cuthbert, Oswald and Bede. After some free time, evensong, and dinner, we lodge in Durham tonight. (B / D)
This morning we journey north to Lindisfarne where we visit Holy Island, a tidal island off the Northumbrian coast (our schedule to cross the causeway is determined by tide schedule). St. Aidan was sent here as a missionary from Iona and established a monastery here in 630 AD that is now a series of breathtaking ruins. This is considered by religious and non-religious as the most sacred place in all England. After lunch we make our way back to Durham for free time before dinner together in the heart of the town. (B / L / D)
Today we make our long morning trek to London, stopping for a visit to York along the way. We will visit York Minster, the largest medieval church in England and possibly the oldest Christian community in Britain, a staggering example of Gothic architecture. After a quick lunch in York we’ll continue on the road and make our way to London, checking into our hotel at Paddington station in the evening. Dinner is right around the corner as we prepare to embrace the beauty of London. (B / L / D)
On the Lord’s Day we join in Sunday worship at All Souls Langham Place, where John Stott, perhaps England’s greatest preacher and evangelist, served from 1945 until his death in 2011. This active church in the heart of London will give us a picture of a contemporary growing English church. For lunch we will enjoy that British tradition of a Sunday Roast before some free time before catching a comedic slapstick in the West End. (B / L )
Our day begins with a visit to the infamous Tower of London, with a tour by a Beefeater guard including a viewing of the Crown Jewels. Take time to explore the noble and at times gruesome history of the Tower, and understand the prominent place it holds in the British identity. Travelers will then be free for the rest of the day. Suggested activities include Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, and especially a visit to several unique London shops including Fortnum & Mason and Floris,the official royal suppliers for tea and perfume respectively. (B)
The final day of our journey takes us to Canterbury and to tour the Cathedral which has served as the mother church for the English dating back to the 6th century. After a brief lunch in town we will visit St Augustine’s Abbey, the location where Augustine of Canterbury established a missionary church, taking communion together in the ruins. We’ll trace the legacy of the English saints from their first start there to the modern day, and return to London recalling our own place in God’s magnificent story. (B / L / D)
Return to the United States with our faith deepened and our hearts full of the stories of the English saints who have gone before us. (B)
Group Airfare: Roundtrip from IAD, coming November 2025.
Flight times subject to change. Pricing guaranteed with a minimum of 10 travelers. Travelers on the group flights will have a group transfers between airports/hotels.
Here’s everything you need to know about flights and travel plans so your adventure gets off to a smooth start:
Leave the U.S.: September 27, 2026 (overnight flight)
Arrive in London (LHR): September 28, 2026
First group activity: A delicious welcome dinner around 7:00 PM on September 28
We will transfer as a group leaving Heathrow on the 28th of September roughly one hour after the group flights land. Please keep that time in mind if you want to join the group for the transfer to Oxford. The group flight itinerary will be released in November of 2025.
At the end of the standard tour, you'll depart from London on 7 October. Unless you're continuing the journey on your own to Europe, you'll be returning from London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
You’ll want to book a roundtrip itinerary, flying into and out of London (LHR).
Many of our travelers like to come a day or two early to shake off jetlag and ease into the experience.
We’d be happy to book you extra nights at the group hotel at our special group rate—stay tuned for details on how to add an early night or two .
Closer to the trip (about 4 months before departure), we’ll send you a quick email asking for your flight details so we can keep everything running smoothly.
We don't just organize tours.
When you travel with us through the lands of the Scriptures, you’re more than a tourist. You’re a pilgrim! In Israel, you will walk in the footsteps of Jesus. In Greece, you’ll join Paul in his missionary journeys. In Italy, you’ll live Paul’s letters to the Romans through the eyes of medieval and renaissance art.
We do not put you on the tourist treadmill. We don’t rush you through sites. We set our own pace and at each venue, we provide you time to reflect on God’s Word and for worship. We accompany every group, ensuring personal attention all along the way. We view each tour as an opportunity to minister to your life.
In other words, we're different. We are not a "travel company," we're a ministry!
