- Location Henley-on-Thames
- Price from £35.00
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Keep the Aspidistra Flying! (In the Footsteps of George Orwell)
Highlights
"If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself."
Join us ‘Coming Up For Air’ in the Chilterns to discover George Orwell’s ‘golden country’. His childhood here in the south Oxfordshire countryside around Henley-on-Thames can be see to have influenced passages in some of his writing and as we walk it is not difficult to find ourselves in both 1984 and his earlier novel Coming Up for Air.
Who is it for?
This full day (11 miles) guided walk is ideal for walkers with a reasonable level of walking experience and fitness. We will introduce some George Orwell insights along the way and welcome you to share your own thoughts and experience of his work, even if just memories of reading 1984 at school!
On this walk we operate a minimum age of 14 years for children who are capable of walking the distance and they must be accompanied by an adult who shall be responsible for them at all times during the walk.
Can I bring my dog?
Sorry, dogs are not permitted on this walk.
Walk Summary:
We start out from Shiplake station along the Thames where Orwell loved to fish, then head up the hill to Binfield Heath and Crowsley Park to discover a ‘listening station’ with echoes of Big Brother. We may pause for a drink at the Bottle & Glass Inn (with Orwell’s approval!) before continuing on through bluebell woods where 1984 hero Winston would go to escape the Thought Police. Finally returning to Shiplake we pass the house where Orwell once lived.
What will it be like?
A shorter (half day) version of the walk can be available on request.
Please ensure that you read the walk description carefully. You should be satisfied that you are sufficiently fit to participate in this walk. Bookings are accepted on the understanding that you, and those you are booking on behalf of, are medically and physically fit to take part in this walk.
Join us ‘Coming Up For Air’ in the Chilterns to discover George Orwell’s ‘golden country’. His childhood here in the south Oxfordshire countryside around Henley-on-Thames can be see to have influenced passages in some of his writing and as we walk it is not difficult to find ourselves in both 1984 and his earlier novel Coming Up for Air.
Who is it for?
This full day (11 miles) guided walk is ideal for walkers with a reasonable level of walking experience and fitness. We will introduce some George Orwell insights along the way and welcome you to share your own thoughts and experience of his work, even if just memories of reading 1984 at school!
On this walk we operate a minimum age of 14 years for children who are capable of walking the distance and they must be accompanied by an adult who shall be responsible for them at all times during the walk.
Can I bring my dog?
Sorry, dogs are not permitted on this walk.
Walk Summary:
We start out from Shiplake station along the Thames where Orwell loved to fish, then head up the hill to Binfield Heath and Crowsley Park to discover a ‘listening station’ with echoes of Big Brother. We may pause for a drink at the Bottle & Glass Inn (with Orwell’s approval!) before continuing on through bluebell woods where 1984 hero Winston would go to escape the Thought Police. Finally returning to Shiplake we pass the house where Orwell once lived.
What will it be like?
- 11 miles (17.5 km)
- Approx 7 hrs
- A fairly strenuous walk at a moderate pace with stops at points of interest along the way
- Mostly good paths and tracks over meadows, fields and through woodland but narrow and uneven in parts and can be muddy.
- Some rural road walking
- Undulating terrain – total ascent/descent 560 ft
A shorter (half day) version of the walk can be available on request.
Please ensure that you read the walk description carefully. You should be satisfied that you are sufficiently fit to participate in this walk. Bookings are accepted on the understanding that you, and those you are booking on behalf of, are medically and physically fit to take part in this walk.
Inclusions
- Other Expert walk leader and insights about George Orwell's 'Golden Country'
What's included
- Warm Clothing Please dress appropriately for a walk in the countryside and having regard to the time of year and weather forecast. We advise wearing a comfortable pair of walking boots/shoes.
- Waterproofs Just in case of rain!
- Food Please bring food and drink to sustain you during the walk. We will plan a picnic stop
- Drink We may plan a drink stop at a local pub.
- Other A small rucksack for personal belongings. Don't forget your camera!
What you'll need
Cancellations
- Custom Policy
Location
Henley-on-Thames