A lesson in sustainable travel: the Woodbridge Annuals (1881-1892)
Sarah and Rachel Knight were two sisters, who in the late 19th century cycled from their home in Headingley, all around the UK and as far as Germany and Sweden on what was known as a “sociable tricycle”. They documented their travels in The Woodbridge Annuals: a collection of lovely handwritten and illustrated journals that have recently found their way into the University of Leeds Cultural Collections.
In a time when women's rights were largely restricted and sustainable travel was just “travel”, the written adventures of Sarah and Rachel Knight serve as an insightful, and at points witty, window into the past.
What can we learn from these pioneering women?
The spirit of adventure: cycling as freedom
For the Knight Sisters, cycling was not only a way of getting from A to B but was an immersive experience that allowed them to explore and connect with the world around them. Their many adventures took them all around the UK on trips into the Lake District, Scottish Highlands, and southern England; as well as onto the continent, traveling as far as Scandinavia.
In their adventures they subverted many of the gender norms at the time, all the while maintaining a confident albeit rebellious attitude. In the account of the first tour which took them to the Rhine in Germany, they noted the three main objections to their trip: money, time and the fact they would be ladies alone on the continent. All of which were shortly dismissed as things that could be overcome.
As their adventures took place in the warmer months, the Knight Sisters spent their winters longingly gazing out the window waiting for the first ride of the spring. For them, as for many women, the bicycle became a vehicle of liberation. It was a way of seeing the world.
A more rooted way of traveling
Starting out from their home in Headingley, for the Knight sisters the holiday began the moment they shut the door. The time they spent travelling on their bike was as much part of the relaxation as the time spent pottering around the towns and villages they came across. The slow, immersive nature of their travels allowed for a greater degree of presence, reflected in the sheer detail of the accounts in their journals.
They engaged deeply with the environments and cultures they passed. Regularly documenting interactions with locals and the powerful physical environment around them. The annuals acted as a repository for their thoughts, as well as countless photographs, illustrations, tickets and maps – displaying a more considered evaluation of place.
Lessons for the modern traveller
While they may not have realized it at the time, the Knight sisters' approach to their holidays acts as a sort of blueprint for the ethos of sustainable travel 130 years on. Here are some key takeaways we can learn from these inspiring women:
1. Embrace slow travel
The Knight’s slower form of travel that prioritised the journey as much as the destination allowed them to have a more impactful and connected interaction with the people and environments that make up a place. I’m sure we could all benefit from slowing down and truly connecting with our travel destinations in order to be more mindful and considerate tourists.
2. Opt for more sustainable forms of travel
It goes without saying that cycling is one of the most sustainable forms of travel out there, though it is not for everyone. Even if you can't travel actively, why not try taking the train? You’ll be amazed at how much of a difference it makes: reducing CO2 emissions, integrating the journey as part of your holiday and reducing the whiplash you get from traveling by plane.
3. Take time to document your travels thoughtfully
Documenting your travels is a great way to savour the experience but be sure to do it mindfully. The hunt for the perfect Instagram picture can undermine your sense of presence in the moment. Instead get creative. What skills do you have? How could you make a memorable keepsake? You never know, in 150 years' time someone may be flicking through your holiday journals.
4. If you will it, barriers can be overcome
If there is anything that can be said of Sarah and Rachel Knight, it is that their willpower was unmatched. Pushing the boundaries in women's travel and cycling in the late 1800s, it was their stubborn dedication to cycling and a desire to explore the world that allowed them to sail (or pedal!) past the obstacles they faced. While understandably this is not always possible, if you want to travel sustainably, truly all you need is a positive attitude and to start.
Conclusion: Pedalling toward a sustainable future
You can find the Woodbridge Annuals in the University of Leeds Cultural Collections and can book to see them via their website.
They are not only charming and full of wit, but have within their pages an inspiring story of adventurous women pioneering the way for women’s cycling, and, possibly the key to more sustainable and conscious tourism: slowing down.
As you go on to plan your next summer holiday or weekend away, consider how you could embody the slower pace of the Knight Sisters. What could you do to be more present?
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
We use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework to guide our activity. Our work on the Woodbridge Annuals and Sustainable Travel more generally is linked to the following SDGs:
- Goal 5: Gender equality
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal 13: Climate Action
Find out more about our impact on the SDGs.
