To find out more

Ideally a trip to the Antarctic would be a wonderful way to enter into William’s experiences (and, by cruise ship standards, not always impossibly priced). More realistically there are several British places worth a visit.

The Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge is the best research and educational institution of its kind in the world. With an extensive library and many polar artefacts and rare photographs, it provides a fabulous resource at popular and academic levels. William’s diaries and letters are housed here, along with his expedition mittens (but note that viewing such fragile items is only by appointment). You can keep in touch by becoming a Friend of SPRI

The Wilson Museum and Art Gallery in Cheltenham (Edward Wilsons' birthplace) has a collection of paintings, photographs and other memorabilia relating to Edward, and a small Antarctic display. Well worth a visit if you live in the area. There is also online material available. Like William, Edward Wilson was on both Scott's expeditions.

In Dundee, where the Discovery was built, it is possible to visit the ship which has been restored and is now part of an exhibition at Discovery Point, part of the Dundee Heritage Centre. You can even arrange to have a meal in the ship’s Ward Room. It also has an excellent collection of items associated with the Discovery and Antarctica (including William's kit bag) at Discovery Online Collection.

In Cardiff, The Museum of Wales has a collection of material relating particularly to the Terra Nova expedition and there is a memorial plaque on the house where he lived.

In addition, a visit to Hambledon in Hampshire provides an opportunity to see Minna Bluff, the house William named after a strategic mountain spur in Antarctica, walk down Lashly Meadow and visit the church where he sang in the choir and rang the bells (the position of his grave is recorded but not marked in any way). The school he attended can still be viewed in the village