What’s on

WITH footpaths criss-crossing the Chilterns, you’re never too far from an enjoyable ramble.

Pub walks, riverside rambles and circular routes about, with several long-distance paths like the Beeches Way or Thames Path providing an additional challenge.

Check out Pete’s Walks for a cross-section of Chilterns paths, while the Chiltern Society has a range of free downloadable walks on its website.

TEENAGERS can grow to love the great outdoors too but may find woodland walks a little tame.

More ambitious outdoor adventures might be organised through the Scouts, Guiding and Boys’ Brigade movements, as well as cadet forces and specialist outdoor centres, if the family find camping, hiking and other pursuits a little too adventurous.

From mountain biking, sailing and skiing to climbing,pot-holing and abseiling, there’s no shortage of sports and activities to choose from, with challenges ranging from day trips to summer camps, treks and expeditions – or why not test the water with a bushcraft or wilderness living experience closer to home?

TAKE a virtual tour of London’s first disused deep tube station, King William Street.

Closed in 1900, this was the original but short-lived northern terminus of the City and South London Railway, which was the first deep-level underground railway in the world. The CSLR, which originally ran from King William Street to Stockwell now form part of the Bank Branch of the Northern line.

Currently, this fascinating station is being used as part of the major Bank station extension project

Zoom in for this special behind the scenes virtual tour to see what the disused station looks like today and find out how it is being used during the Bank station extension project.

Virtual tours will be held on various Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays until October 31.

TAKE a virtual tour of a closed Tube station located between Knightsbridge and South Kensington on the Piccadilly line.

Brompton Road was closed in 1934 after the Piccadilly line was extended along with stations such as Down Street and York Road as they were only lightly used, with some services passing through without stopping.

Zoom in for this special behind the scenes digital tour to learn about its time as a Second World War bunker and see what the disused station looks like today.

There will also be a Q&A session afterwards, where you’ll get the chance to ask our expert guides all about the station.

Virtual tours will be held on various Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays until October 31.

THE nights may be drawing in, but younger children in particular are still only too keen to get their wellies on and get outside in search of adventure. 

There are dozens of great events and destinations listed on our What’s On pages – and if money’s tight, our article about outdoors activities might just give you a few ideas for free options.

The Chilterns boasts an outstanding array of parks, woods and walks for all the family, so arm yourself with a couple of nature guides, pack and picnic and find out more about the local wildlife.

There are plenty of free museums on our patch too which can help bring the past to life, along with local nature reserves and more challenging circular rambles that allow older teenagers to get back to nature.

THE Chilterns may be a fair distance from the sea, but that’s no excuse for not getting down to the waterside for a ramble this month.

With the Thames rushing down to London from Oxford and the slightly more sedate Grand Union Canal linking Paddington Basin in West London with Aylesbury, Milton Keynes and Birmingham, there’s no shortage of towpaths and cosy canalside cafes to explore.

Out in Berkshire, the Kennet & Avon Canal strikes west for a hundred miles from Reading, towards Newbury and Hungerford on its way to Bath and Bristol.

For wintry walks and an escape from traffic, the network provides a glorious break from office routine, with a stroll promising the opportunity to spot birds and wildlife, study industrial landmarks or just become a lazy “gongoozler” watching canal life from the towpath.

On its way through Reading, Henley, Windsor and Hampton Court, the Thames offers countless different vistas, while a canalside ramble can also leave you feeling happier and healthier.

Visit the Canal & River Trust website for maps and downloadable regional guides, as well as tips about nature spotting and details of open days and special events.

EVEN if the weather’s too grim to get out and about, it may still spark your creative side.

Many local artists draw inspiration for the local landscape and natural world – look back at the calendar entries for the Bucks and Oxfordshire art weeks in May and June to see the range of subject matter.

Animals, birds, landscapes – what inspires you most? It’s time to get drawing or painting…or have a read about how art can change lives, as it did for local artist Sue Graham.

JOIN bushcraft expert David Willis in the woods to connect you and your family more closely with nature.

Now available for single households, the experience is all about having fun in the woods; learning about campfires, and keeping safe, baking bread, foraging in the woods, crafts and games that will help connect your family more closely with nature.

One of a range of personalised courses based in woodland at Little Chalfont which can be organised by arrangement with David.

WE normally only feature specific events on What’s On pages which have a direct wildlife or nature theme, but are blessed in the Chilterns to have a vibrant network of local theatres offering a first-class programme of live events.

Many of the venues offer a mix of theatre, music and even arts and crafts, combining gallery spaces with community cafes, educational classes and special half-term and school holiday entertainment and courses.

Among our favourites is the Norden Farm Centre in Maidenhead, a thriving arts centre built on the site of an ancient farm which hosts 150 events a season and opens seven days a week.

Other popular local venues include the Swan in High Wycombe, Elgiva in Chesham, Kenton in Henley (the fourth oldest in the country), the Aylesbury Waterside, the Hexagon and Progress Theatre in Reading, the MIlton Keynes Theatre , Watford Palace Theatre, and Colosseum, Abbey and Maltings Arts Theatre in St Albans, Grove in Dunstable and Watersmeet in Rickmansworth – to name some of the best-known ones.

ENJOY outdoors Halloween family fun in the woods with Under the Canopy Forest School.

Learn the famous Thriller routine with professional choreographer Scott Coldwell and find ghosts, skeletons and other spooky ‘things’ in the Forbidden Forest Scavenger Hunt.

Gather round the witches’ cauldron to toast marshmallows, with Halloween crafts and games including pumpkin carving and donut bobbing!

Session times 1-3pm for little ones, 4-6pm and 7-9pm (bring torches/head torches to light your way!)

See the website for details.