Verso Open Enrollment England – September 2026

Pilgrimage to England

Trip Date:
Sep 24, 2026
- Oct 1, 2026
Group Type
Open
Activity Level
Difficult
Price
From $2,998
Deposit $500
Hosted by
Verso Ministries

Trip Overview

Join Trisha Thien and Verso Ministries on an epic adventure through the English countryside, following the life of J.R.R. Tolkien from September 24 to October 1, 2026. Experience the inspirations that formed Middle-earth as we pray on his writings and themes that reflect eternity. From Birmingham to Oxford, cross paths with other figures in Tolkien’s life, such as St. John Henry Newman and C.S. Lewis. Sit on the grounds that shaped the Shire, hike the paths that inspired the hills of Gondor, walk the streets where the first words were written and Tolkien’s life-long friendships were born. This pilgrimage will lead you into the deep truth that in the adventure of the Catholic faith, not all who wander are lost.

What’s Included?

  • Local, licensed tour guide(s)
  • Transportation on private motorcoach included on Days 2, 3, 5, and 6
  • Train tickets from Oxford to London on Day 7
  • Accommodations in double-occupancy rooms, including taxes (single rooms available on a limited basis)
  • Meals as indicated on itinerary
  • Opportunity for daily Mass
  • Tickets for included activities
  • Audio headset for each pilgrim
  • Verso pilgrimage booklets and pilgrim kits
  • Preparation and follow-up materials
  • Pack & Prep Meeting for all pilgrims to review itinerary, activities, logistical arrangements, and spiritual preparations

Itinerary

September 24, 2026
  • Depart the U.S. on your overnight flight to Birmingham, England.
September 25, 2026
  • Arrive at the Birmingham airport (BHX)
  • Transfer as a group to the hotel
  • Opening Mass at the Oratory of St Philip Neri, founded by St John Henry Newman, with time to venerate his relics
  • Down the street from the Oratory, see Perrott’s Folly and the Edgbaston Waterworks Tower, believed to be the inspiration of the Two Towers in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings
  • Visit the University of Birmingham with time for lunch on campus
  • Continue on to Moseley Bog and Sarehole Mill, with entrance to the Mill Museum
  • Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant
  • Overnight in Birmingham

Accommodations: ibis Budget Birmingham Centre or similar

Meals included: Dinner

September 26, 2026
  • Morning Mass at the Oratory
  • Drive to the Malvern Hills, stopping en route at the Great Malvern Priory
  • Enjoy an afternoon hike in the Hills
  • Overnight in Malvern

Accommodations: The Abbey Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

September 27, 2026
  • Enjoy a day of hiking in the Hills
  • Celebrate Mass outdoors
  • Overnight in Malvern

Accommodations: The Abbey Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

September 28, 2026
  • Drive through the Costwolds countryside to Oxford
  • On your way into Oxford, visit Wolvercote Cemetery and see the tomb of J.R.R. Tolkien
  • Mass at the Oratory of St Aloysius Gonzaga, where J.R.R. Tolkien and Gerard Manley Hopkins attended Mass
  • Dinner at a local restaurant/pub
  • Overnight in Oxford

Accommodations: Best Western Plus Linton Lodge Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

September 29, 2026
  • Start your day with Mass at the Oratory
  • Enjoy a guided tour of Oxford’s colleges and city center
  • Starting at Oxford’s iconic Bodleian Libraries, see the Radcliffe Camera before walking over to Oriel College, where St John Henry Newman taught. Continue on through Christ Church Meadow to Christ Church College, where Harry Potter films were shot and home to Oxford’s Cathedral. Visit Exeter, Merton, and Pembroke – significant colleges in the life of Tolkien
  • End your tour at Magdalen College, where C.S. Lewis taught and Oscar Wilde studied. See its Cloisters and Deer Park, as well as Addison’s Walk
  • After lunch, visit the Kilns, located at the foot of Shotover County Park and site of C.S. Lewis’ home, now a house for students who give tours of Lewis’ rooms to visitors
  • Dinner at a local restaurant/pub
  • Overnight in Oxford

Accommodations: Best Western Plus Linton Lodge Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

September 30, 2026
  • Take the train to London
  • Enjoy a free day in London
  • For lunch, consider walking over to Borough Market, London’s outdoor food market
  • Gather as a group in the late afternoon for a ride on the London Eye
  • Continue on to Westminster Cathedral for a Closing Mass at 5.30pm (public Mass)
  • Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant
  • Overnight in London

Accommodations: Ibis London Earls Court or similar

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

October 1, 2026
  • Self-transfer to the London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and depart on your journey home

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodations

Simple Accommodations

  • Birmingham: ibis Budget Birmingham Centre or similar 3*
  • Malvern: The Abbey Hotel or similar 4*
  • Oxford: Best Western Plus Linton Lodge Hotel or similar 3*
  • London: ibis London Earls Court or similar 3*

Pricing

Package Cost
$2,998

Optional Add-ons

Single room supplement
$876/person
Pre-paid gratuities
TBA
Travel Protection*
Quote provided after registration

Pricing listed per person in double-occupancy rooms and does not include airfare. The number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited.

*Travel protection price is calculated based on a variety of factors and optional plans are provided by Travel Insured International.

Quoted rates may fluctuate based on accommodation selection and availability. Final pricing may adjust based any significant changes in currency exchange rates. Pricing based on a minimum of 20 pilgrims.

Led by

Group Leader
Trisha Thien
South Bend, IN
Trisha has spent most of her life visiting places around the world she has dreamt of experiencing. With a heart for service, relationship, and the Catholic Faith, Trisha’s greatest joy is accompanying others to encounter Christ. She is thrilled to combine her experience in ministry with her passion for traveling to help others journey to the sites where God has made himself known. Trisha is a graduate of Ball State University where she earned a degree in History Education, and has spent the last few years working in different forms of youth ministry across the U.S. She lives in South Bend, IN, where you can mostly find her outdoors with a book in hand or on her way to the local pizza restaurant.

Flights

Pilgrims are responsible for booking their own flights to/from the pilgrimage using the information below regarding airports and designated arrival/departure times. They are also responsible for self-transferring to and from the hotel upon arrival and departure.

  • Arrive by: September 25, 2026
  • Arrival time: 10 am or earlier
  • Arrival airport: Birmingham Airport (BHX)
  • Depart on: October 1, 2026
  • Departure time: Anytime on October 1
  • Departure airport: London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

More Details

  • Verso Pilgrimage Director (if groups are 30+)
  • Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide(s), driver(s), hotel staff, and meals (optional add-on)
  • Round-trip airfare (optional add-on)
  • Passport, visa, or luggage fees
  • Any personal purchases
  • Any meals not indicated on itinerary, as well as beverages at meals
  • Any required COVID tests or vaccinations
  • Recommended travel protection with Cancel for Any Reason coverage
  • Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

Payment Schedule

  • Deposit due upon registration: $500 per person
  • 120 days prior to departure: Final balance

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations of individual pilgrims must be made in writing (email or letter) to Verso Ministries. Cancellations are possible at any time, but refunds are subject to cancellation fees at the rates listed here. Cancellation fees are for individual pilgrims. Any cancellation charges incurred from other suppliers or vendors (flight, lodging, ground transportation, tickets, etc.) may come in addition to the administrative fees listed here. All group flight airline tickets, optional excursions, trip options, pre/post extensions, private transfers, and additional hotel nights are non-refundable 100 days or less prior to departure unless otherwise noted. We highly recommend the purchase of individual travel insurance.

  • Within 2 weeks of deposit: Free cancellation*
  • 14 days after deposit & 91 days or more from departure: Deposit is retained
  • 90-61 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost is non-refundable
  • 60-31 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost is non-refundable
  • 30 days or less prior to departure: 100% of trip cost is non-refundable

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Verso Ministries prepare me for my journey?

We know from experience that preparing for a journey is just as important as the journey itself. From pre-departure spiritual formation emails and webinars hosted by the Verso trip leader, to providing you with a pilgrim kit to bring with you on your journey, we accompany you through the entire process – before, during, and after the pilgrimage – to prepare your mind and heart for what you’ll encounter. And of course, we’re always available by phone or email to answer and assist with any questions you might have.
Read More

Why should I register now?

The sooner you register for the pilgrimage, the better! Pilgrimages can fill up quickly, especially if pilgrims decide to bulk register as a group, so registering as soon as you think you will be able to travel with us guarantees you a spot on open pilgrimages. If you register and find out you can no longer attend, as long as you registered more than 180 days prior to the departure and cancel within 14-days of registering, we will fully refund your deposit. Just send us a written confirmation of your cancellation and we will take care of the rest.
Read More

Should I purchase travel protection?

We recommend that all pilgrims consider purchasing travel protection. We partner with Travel Insured International (TII) to offer travel protection.  According to TII, travel protection helps protect you and those you are traveling with from unforeseen emergencies, which always seem to happen at the worst possible time. In the event of emergencies, both before and during your travels, as well other circumstances, like travel delay, lost baggage, missed connection(s), and much more, travel protection can help. Upon registration you will receive a travel protection quotation from TII. If you have any questions regarding your quotation, please call TII. If you need an updated or new quotation, please contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396.
Read More

Resources

Discover helpful guides and tips to prepare for your pilgrimage and enrich your journey with Verso Ministries.

A metaphor of one of the benefits of going on a pilgrimage, a highway comes into sharp focus through a camera lens.

5 Benefits of Going on a Pilgrimage

5 Tips for Packing Light

Pilgrims walk on the top of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

7 Reasons to go on a Catholic Pilgrimage

What Our Pilgrims Have to Say

Father Kuhn

Jocelyn

You Might Also Be Interested In...

October 13-23, 2026

Pilgrimage to Poland and Lithuania

Vilnius, Warsaw, Krakow
October 19-28, 2026

Pilgrimage to France

Paris, Lisieux, Chartres
August 29 - September 6, 2026

Pilgrimage to El Camino de Santiago

Sarria, Palas de Rei, Santiago de Compostela
Contact Us

Have a Question?

Attend our next Webinar!

Sign up to recieve information about upcoming and on-demand webinars.