The compact between writing and walking is almost as old as literature - a walk is only a step away from a story, and every path tells.
(Robert Macfarlane)
Enjoy our ramblings about walking and the great outdoors. From accounts of our adventures to interesting notes and stories about the special places and things we discover on our walks, plus a few tips to help you enjoy your time outdoors.
We are all familiar with the traditional floral emblems of the countries of the United Kingdom but did you know that each UK County has a flower emblem? In this blog we introduce you to the County Flowers of the Chilterns.
Read MoreTaking a woodland walk among the bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) is a wonder to behold and one which we look forward to with excited anticipation every Spring. For a few weeks from mid-April to early May, the flower of St George transforms our woodlands into ephemeral seas of shimmering blue.
Read MoreMistletoe (Viscum album), the magical sacred plant of the Druids, has become embedded within our folklore, tradition and mythology, particularly at Christmas and New Year. On this festive themed walk we set off to discover more about this special sacred plant and to hopefully find a sprig for ourselves!
Read MoreJoin our Perambulations from the Sofa to celebrate the Chilterns Walking Festival and World Nordic Walking Day. Sit back and enjoy this amazing walk as we take our Nordic walking poles to explore the Ridgeway National Trail and the Chilterns escarpment in Oxfordshire. It’s one of our favourites and you can expect butterflies, orchids and awesome views!
Read MoreFair Maids of February
Late January into February is the time of year when tiny humble snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis or ‘Milkflower of the snow’), symbols of hope and purity, burst in clusters of white blooms from the frozen winter soil. Some of our favourite Snowdrops walks take us to the tiny Norman church of St Botolph, by the Ridgeway National Trail at Swyncombe and famed for its snowdrops and teas!
Read MoreAs we walked through Harpsden Wood one autumn morning the sunlight chanced upon this beautiful Amethyst Deceiver (Laccaria amethystea). Pummelling upward through the leaf litter, this stunning deep violet mushroom makes a magical sight. Poetry to the eyes, and as we crunched down among the leaves for a closer look this mysterious pretty-in-purple got us musing...
Read MoreFour Seasons fill the measure of the year (Keats)
Walking is one of the best ways to explore a country and as the changing seasons unfold across the English countryside each brings its own unique beauty showcasing the land in a different way. The changing seasons also ensure there is plenty of interest on our walks throughout the year.
Read MoreJoin us for an exhilarating walk under the light of the Full Moon and discover the dark side of the Chilterns!
These evening walks take place on, or near, the night of the full moon. We take time to tune into the sights and sounds of the night and may get to see and hear owls, deer, and more. If the weather is kind, we will be guided by the light of the silvery moon and get to marvel at the night sky. Don’t forget to bring a torch!
This fun, engaging course is about learning and developing the correct Nordic walking technique under the expert guidance of a British Nordic Walking instructor (instructor/participant ratio 1:6 max). You will then be able to enjoy the benefits of regular Nordic walking activities as part of an active lifestyle.
This course takes place at either Shiplake or Pinkneys Green and is available as a single 2 hr session - see course dates below (if there are no suitable dates, please get in touch)
Find your way in the great outdoors! This one day workshop is a great introduction to map reading and the navigation skills you need to enjoy a great walk in the countryside without reliance on a phone app.
You will be amazed how much detail there is on an Ordnance Survey map! On this course you will learn how make sense of it all and gain confidence to plan and follow an interesting route along paths and tracks.
The NNAS Bronze Navigator course is suitable for beginners or those with some navigation experience. It is the start of your journey to becoming an experienced navigator.
This introductory level course usually takes place over two days. We also offer a three-day option.
The course usually takes place in the South Oxfordshire Chilterns and Berkshire Downs around Goring and Streatley.
The NNAS Silver Navigator course will build on your existing map reading and navigation skills (acquired at the Bronze level). We introduce more advanced techniques to equip you with the confidence, knowledge and technical skills required to safely navigate away from paths and tracks in easily accessed, open terrain.
This intermediate level course usually takes place over two days. We also offer a three-day option.
The course takes place in the South Oxfordshire Chilterns and Berkshire Downs around Goring and Streatley.
The Night Owl Course is 4 hrs duration. Start/finish times vary depending on time of year. If there are no suitable dates available, please get in touch.
Our Navigation Bites workshops are ideal for those who want to focus on specific aspects of navigation, such as compass work and walking on a bearing, pacing and timing or contours and land features, or perhaps just a confidence booster.
"Dulce et Decorum est" - in the footsteps of Wilfred Owen.
Join us for this walk in the South Oxfordshire countryside and discover one of our most celebrated Great War Poets, Wilfred Owen.
*** This walk is available for PRIVATE BOOKING only. Please contact us to agree walk date before booking. Minimum group size 2 people. ***
Join us ‘Coming Up For Air’ in the Chilterns to discover George Orwell’s ‘golden country’. His childhood in the Oxfordshire countryside around Henley can be seen to have influenced passages in some of his writing. As we walk it is not difficult to find ourselves in both 1984 and his earlier novel Coming Up for Air.
** This walk is available for PRIVATE BOOKING only. Please contact us to agree walk date before booking. Minimum group size 2 people. **
Thames Path 30th Anniversary Relay
2026 marks the 30th Anniversary of the Thames Path National Trail. To celebrate, the Thames Path National Trail Team, in partnership with Drinkable Rivers, is coordinating a Thames Path Relay along the entire length of the Trail – from source to sea. We are delighted that Pipsticks Walks will to be leading three of the Thames Path Relay walks!
These walks are FREE to attend but you MUST BOOK a place.