AN explorer from Winchester, named as one of Britain’s most experienced, is hosting talks of his travels.

John Pilkington, from Culverwell Gardens, will hosting a talk titled ‘China by the back door’ at Hythe Library, near Southampton, on September 23.

John has been named ‘one of Britain’s most experienced explorers’ after he was one of the first modern travellers to retrace almost all of the 4000 miles along Silk Road. He was also one of the first five to walk the Royal Road of the Incas, which spans for 1600 miles.

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Despite his travels the explorer stays true to his Winchester roots, working as a patron of Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group who help refugees and asylum seekers in the Hampshire area. John, ahead of his 73rd birthday, said: “Winchester has been home for most of my life and the city as well as Hampshire have been very kind and generous to me over the years."

The Wintonian has spoken about his experiences to over 1,000 audiences in six different countries, including BBC Radio 4, which earned him several appearances on Pick of the Week. 

Some of John’s solo journeys include six months in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, exploring hidden Himalayan Kingdoms and crossing 500 miles of Western Nepal. The explorer has been hoping to walk in the mountains of northern Japan since 2020. However, Japan closed its borders due to the pandemic and still hasn't reopened them fully, prohibiting independent travel.

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John’s talk at Hythe Library starts at 2.30pm on Friday, September 23. Tickets cost £7.50 and can be purchased from the Library Events Team on 0330 555 1387. 

Mr Pilkington will then continue his talks in November in North Yorkshire and Hastings.

For more information on the events, email John: john@pilk.net or go to pilk.net/lecturedates.html