Byron Society members and guests are invited to attend a visit to the home of the 18th Century Poet William Cowper whose work was much read and critically acclaimed during the lifetime of Lord Byron and beyond. The day will commence with a visit to the home of the poet in Olney situated in the museum itself. This will take the form of coffee and a guided tour at 11 am. The visit will also include a walk around the adjoining garden and summer house where many of Cowpers’s poems were written.
After the museum we will take the short journey (about 1.5 miles) to the attractive village of Weston Underwood where Cowper later resided. At Weston Underwood it is a short walk or trip by car of about half a mile to visit Cowper’s Alcove built by the Throckmorton family as a tribute to the poet. The Alcove overlooks rolling countryside the same today almost as it was in Cowper’s day and which was the inspiration for many of his poems.
After the Alcove we will take lunch at the village pub “The Cowpers Oak” where a two or two course meal is available. Cowper’s house in the village is in the High Street yards from the pub, but it is not open to the public. An inspection of the exterior and indeed the rest of this picturesque village is very worthwhile.
The total cost for the guided tour and two course lunch is £21.95 and £24.95 for the three course option. Payment for the guided tour only, of £6 per head, should be made in advance by no later than 27 June so that numbers can be given to the museum. Payment for the meal can be made on the day.
Olney is on the A509 five miles north of Newport Pagnell and 7 miles from Junction 14 on the M1. It is easily accessible by car. Free public car parks are in the Market Place opposite the museum and the Old Cattle Market adjacent to the museum. The car parks are frequently full, but there is plenty of parking available either in the High Street or in side roads adjoining the Market Square.
Please contact us or email to Alice Deschampsneufs, Director of the Byron Society at thebyronsociety@btconnect.com or by phone to 020 7207 6766.