2023 marks the 300th anniversary of the death of Sir Christopher Wren (1632-1723), Surveyor to King Charles II and widely regarded as Britain’s greatest architect.
The Wren 300 festival is being planned in 2023 to celebrate his extraordinary achievements. It aims to introduce his life and works to a broader audience, inspiring a new generation to explore and value them. Embracing both the sciences and the arts, Wren embodied the intellectual discoveries of his age. Well-known from banknotes and as the architect of St Paul’s Cathedral, the great military hospitals at Chelsea and Greenwich and 52 City churches, he enjoys a public profile shared by few others.
The Worshipful Company Chartered Architects and The Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors are collaborating on behalf of the livery movement to support Wren 300. A number of initiatives are being considered, including the following proposal for livery cycling enthusiasts:
The idea – 40 riders in groups of 10 cyclists, with matching abilities and abilities, will cycle the 125km from Oxford to Cambridge (60km per day). The proposed schedule is as follows:
- Everyone to make their own way out to Oxford with their bikes, rendezvousing at an agreed meeting point with the crew for a bag drop.
- Tour of Oxfords Wren buildings externally.
- Lunch outside Oxford at a pub en route.
- Afternoon’s ride to Milton Keynes / Bletchley, with an overnight stay and an evening meal.
- Breakfast before the ride to Cambridge, with a coffee stop halfway.
- At the end of the ride in Cambridge, cyclists will enjoy a city tour on bikes of key Wren buildings.
- The Crew would again agree a meeting point to hand back any overnight luggage.
- It would then be up to the individual riders to decide on staying over or returning to London.
Based on 40 participating riders, the cost would work out at around £250+vat per person.
If you are interested, please contact the Clerk by emailing [email protected]
