Guildford Shakespeare Company co-founder Matt Pinches will walk Shakespeare's 146-mile journey from Stratford-upon-Avon to Shakespeare's Globe in London in aid of the company's New Beginnings fundraising campaign.
The route was mapped by the Shakespeare Way Association in 2006 to follow as closely as possible the route that Shakespeare may have taken. From Stratford, it goes through the Cotswold Hills past Blenheim Palace to Oxford before dipping into the Thames Valley through Marlow and joining the Thames at Kew and then following the river to the Globe.
Pinches said, "I’m so excited to be striding out on this adventure. Not only will I be doing my own bit to raise funds for GSC’s campaign, which the public have been so supportive of, but I will also be fulfilling a long-held ambition to trace the journey Shakespeare once took from his home in Stratford-upon-Avon to his place of work, London Bankside.
"Imagine living and working 9 days' journey from your family and friends. That's what Shakespeare did for 20 years of his life... and at a time when many people possibly never ventured more than 12 miles from home in their whole life."
The Bard Walk is supported by the Guildford branch of Cotswold Outdoor, 96.4 Eagle Radio, Silvertip Films and the B&Bs who are donating a free night’s stay to Pinches along his route.
GSC's New Beginnings Campaign is attempting to raise £25,000 by the end of the year as the first phase of the company's project to find a permanent home. Donations can be made on a fundraising page on the Every Click web site.
Pinches will be filming his journey for a documentary for the company's education department which will be available online and he will also be keeping a blog.