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Walking the South Downs Way: England's Pleasant Pastures with Dr. Alan Montgomery
Learn with Alan Montgomery

Walking the South Downs Way: England's Pleasant Pastures with Dr. Alan Montgomery

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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

The South Downs Way is a 100-mile long walk across some of England’s most picturesque countryside. Running from the ancient city of Winchester in the west to the Victorian seaside resort of Eastbourne in the east, it follows the South Downs, a ridge of high chalk hills that stretch across the southeast of England. Join a historian on this interactive journey, escape the hustle and bustle of the modern world, and experience some of the UK’s most stunning natural landscapes and fascinating history.
The route of the South Downs Way leads us past ancient forts and burial mounds, above a mysterious chalk hill figure, and by majestic medieval castles and sumptuous stately homes. Famous for their windswept beauty, the Downs have inspired many artists and authors – William Blake celebrated ‘England’s pleasant pastures’ and ‘mountains green’ in his song Jerusalem while living on the Downs, and Charleston Farm, home to the bohemian Bloomsbury Group, can also be visited along the way. We’ll how the path weaves through pretty villages and past historic churches, but also across exposed hilltops that offer expansive views across the south of England. It finishes by the famous white cliffs known as the Seven Sisters, one of the most iconic stretches of the UK’s coastline.
Led by a historian with a love of walking who has made the journey several times, this interactive seminar will lead us along the route of the South Downs Way from west to east and feature many of the most interesting sites along its length. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an insight into the fascinating history, geography, flora and fauna of this magical corner of England.

Alan Montgomery was born and raised in Scotland but has spent most of his adult life in London. Having achieved an MA in Art History at Glasgow University, he worked for many years in the art world at both an international auction house and an antique dealer. In recent years he has returned to academia, achieving an MA in Classical Civilisation in 2011, and has recently completed a Ph.D. in which he analyzed eighteenth-century attitudes towards the ancient Roman world. In addition to his work for Context Travel, Alan also writes catalog essays on Contemporary Art for a leading auctioneer. Elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 2017, his first book, entitled 'Classical Caledonia', was published by Edinburgh University Press in August 2020.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 21 reviews
90%
(19)
10%
(2)
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J
Janet M Cary (Philadelphia, US)
Walking the South Downs Way - England's Pleasant Pastures

I always enjoy presentations by Dr. Montgomery and this was one no exception. I discovered an area of England that I never had heard of and it is now on my must see list. The photos were gorgeous and told interesting tales of the main sites along the trail.

J
J.E. (Frankfurt am Main, DE)
Lovely presentation

Very interesting. He showed a beautiful part of England that was new to me.

J
J.S. (Mt. Pleasant, US)
Fun and Informative

Guest did not leave comment

S
S.S. (Oxford, US)
Walking the South Downs

Dr. Mongomery is a favorite of mine. I always wanted to see the White Cliffs of Dover and thanks to him I have! I loved being exposed to the ancient ruins, the Roman ruins , the fortresses and the quaint villages along the way.

k
kathy d (Denver, US)
South Downs Way

Very much enjoyed this lecture. Can't wait to walk SDW.
Thank you!

123

Customer Reviews

Based on 21 reviews
90%
(19)
10%
(2)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
J
Janet M Cary (Philadelphia, US)
Walking the South Downs Way - England's Pleasant Pastures

I always enjoy presentations by Dr. Montgomery and this was one no exception. I discovered an area of England that I never had heard of and it is now on my must see list. The photos were gorgeous and told interesting tales of the main sites along the trail.

J
J.E. (Frankfurt am Main, DE)
Lovely presentation

Very interesting. He showed a beautiful part of England that was new to me.

J
J.S. (Mt. Pleasant, US)
Fun and Informative

Guest did not leave comment

S
S.S. (Oxford, US)
Walking the South Downs

Dr. Mongomery is a favorite of mine. I always wanted to see the White Cliffs of Dover and thanks to him I have! I loved being exposed to the ancient ruins, the Roman ruins , the fortresses and the quaint villages along the way.

k
kathy d (Denver, US)
South Downs Way

Very much enjoyed this lecture. Can't wait to walk SDW.
Thank you!

123