Talks
The 2026 – 2027 season
A list of this season’s talks appears below; click on an individual entry for more information.
- 06Oct 2026Next talk
Wallace’s Grand Adventure
Mark Stratton · Tuesday 6 October 2026, 8pm
Mark recalls the exploits of the great evolutionary biologist Alfred Russel Wallace, tracing his travels by sea from West Papua in Indonesia to the little-known Maluku Islands.
- 20Oct 2026Next talk
On Thin Ice: A Siberian Winter’s Walk
Charlie Walker · Tuesday 20 October 2026, 8pm
In 2022 Charlie hiked 600km along the frozen surface of a remote Arctic river to reach indigenous peoples - horse breeders, fur trappers and reindeer herders.
- 03Nov 2026Next talk
In the Steps of Eric Shipton
Stephen Venables · Tuesday 3 November 2026, 8pm
Eric Shipton, one of the greatest mountain explorers of the twentieth century, inspired Stephen, the first Briton to climb Everest without supplementary oxygen.
- 17Nov 2026Next talk
The Wonderful World of Natural Navigation
Tristan Gooley · Tuesday 17 November 2026, 8pm
Tristan takes us on solo crossings of the Atlantic in a small yacht and a light aircraft, and reveals how these journeys led to a career searching for signs in nature.
- 01Dec 2026Next talk
Members’ Evening Talks
Club members · Tuesday 1 December 2026, 8pm
Hear from members about their travels and adventures. Talks cover different parts of the world and many forms of travel. Great inspiration for your next trip.
- 15Dec 2026Next talk
The Cave Elephants of Mt. Elgon
Stephen Powles · Tuesday 15 December 2026, 8pm
Mt Elgon is an extinct volcano straddling the Kenya Uganda border. It is home to a unique population of elephants who visit the caves to “mine” the mineral-rich rock.
- 05Jan 2027Next talk
Mountains, Marathons and Movies
Jo Bradshaw · Tuesday 5 January 2027, 8pm
Over the past decade, Jo has completed the Seven Summits, the world’s highest marathon and made films, discovering that the real journey begins long after the summit is reached.
- 19Jan 2027Next talk
The Nine Times I Nearly Died
Benedict Allen · Tuesday 19 January 2027, 8pm
The exciting times of ‘extreme explorer’ Benedict from when he was chased in the Amazon by Pablo Escobar, to his latest venture with the reindeer herders of Mongolia.
- 02Feb 2027Next talk
River Oxus: From Source to Sea
Sophie Ibbotson · Tuesday 2 February 2027, 8pm
Sophie will speak about her search for the river’s source in Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor and her journeys following its course across Central Asia to the Aral Sea.
- 16Feb 2027Next talk
A Journey Through Festivity
Daniel Stables · Tuesday 16 February 2027, 8pm
A journey through the vibrant tapestry of human festivity, with a series of travel narratives exploring the joy, chaos and vibrancy of celebrations across the world.
- 02Mar 2027Next talk
The Slow Road to Tehran
Rebecca Lowe · Tuesday 2 March 2027, 8pm
At the height of the Syrian War, Rebecca set off by bicycle to the Middle East, driven by a desire to learn more about this troubled region and its relationship with the West.
- 16Mar 2027Next talk
Enchanted Islands: A Mediterranean Odyssey
Laura Coffey · Tuesday 16 March 2027, 8pm
Across the ages people have tried to map the fantastical lands that Odysseus visits to actual locations. Inspired by these theories, Laura set out on an odyssey of her own.
- 06Apr 2027Next talk
On A Wing and A Prayer
John Blashford-Snell · Tuesday 6 April 2027, 8pm
The story of the Kota Mama VI expedition seeking a meteorite impact in the Amazon basin and the delivery of a pedal organ to a remote tribe.
- 20Apr 2027Next talk
AGM & The Shrink in the Drink
Andrew Hill-Smith · Tuesday 20 April 2027, 8pm
In 2023, retired psychiatrist Andrew became only the third person to attempt an extraordinary feat: circumnavigating Britain’s entire coastline in a 13-foot dinghy.
These are the main items of the programme, but they may be subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control. Other events will be announced at the meetings and in our newsletters.