The Historic Houses, Gardens, and Walks Gay Group
THE WEBSITE FOR GAYS INTERESTED IN VISITING HISTORIC HOUSES AND GARDENS, OR IN WALKING THROUGH THE MORE HISTORIC DISTRICTS IN AND AROUND LONDON AND THE SOUTH EAST
The group aims to bring together gay people who enjoy visiting stately homes, historic houses, and fine country gardens, or who may be interested in architecture or antiques. It has been operating for about six years. In spring, summer and autumn the visits are mainly to stately homes, historic properties, and gardens. In autumn and winter most of these properties are closed, so instead there is a programme mainly of walks through the more historic districts of London.
There is no membership fee, and the emphasis is on informality. If visiting a property, just turn up and pay your entrance fee (though if you are a member of the National Trust, the Historic Houses Association, or the Royal Horticultural Society, you may get in free, depending on the property).
The walks are based on established routes extracted from a variety of sources, ending when possible with a drink in a local pub or coffee shop. There is no charge for the walks, unless we are involved in a walk organised by another organisation.
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PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME FOR 2008/2009
Sunday 7 December 2008 – Millennium Bridge Walk (St Paul’s, Bankside and Southwark). Click here for details.
Sunday 11 January 2009 – Knightsbridge Walk
Sunday 8 February 2009 – From the Tower to Limehouse – a Thames Walk
Sunday 8 March 2009 – Spitalfields Walk
Sunday 5 April 2009 – The Regent’s Canal – A walk from Regent’s Park to Islington
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The Millennium Bridge Walk (St Paul's, Bankside and Southwark) – Sunday 7 December 2008
St Paul’s Cathedral epitomises the wealth and power of the City of London. Regulated for centuries by the Corporation of London, the City was no place for the pursuit of pleasure and licentiousness. It was for this reason that the south bank, around Bankside, developed as a centre for theatres, drinking, and other pleasures of the flesh. Starting at St Paul’s we shall pass, amongst other historic buildings and sights, the College of Arms, The Tate Modern, the Bankside Gallery, Hopton’s Almshouses, the Jerwood Space, the Southwark Playhouse, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the Anchor Pub (from which Samuel Peyps watched the destruction of London by the Great Fire of 1666), a full-size replica of the Golden Hinde, Southwark Cathedral and Borough Market, before finishing at the George Inn, London’s only surviving coaching inn.
Please meet at the exit to St Paul’s tube station (Central Line) at the junction of Cheapside and St Martin’s-le-Grand at 1.0 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION
020 8989 5295 or 07785 773917
email: info@outandabout-london.org
Updated: November 2008