Guided Tour

Guided Tour

What is it? 

A guided tour is the practice of an individual leading a group of people around a point of interest and giving them information about it, which can cover topics such as religious significance, cultural history and how it relates to other locations and events in history. 

What does it involve?

Attending a guided tour basically just involves paying attention! All the work is done for you in finding out the facts and presenting them in an interesting manner; the role of the participant just calls for a level of interest in your surroundings and an eagerness to learn!

Why do it and what are the benefits?

Tour guides can be extremely educational - physically interacting with the place while learning about its history will provide a different kind of academic experience to the classroom by giving the students something more tangible to focus on.

What equipment do we need?

You shouldn't need any equipment for a guided tour, but check beforehand to make sure; some tours involve their participants even further by getting them to write down their own thoughts, or make drawings - so you may need to ensure students have something to write on!

Who is it suitable for?

Guided Tours are suitable for pretty much anybody if you pick the right one - smaller children will find it harder to focus on more complex subjects and will need more visual aids, but if they are engaged correctly they will have a great time! Likewise, teenage students will get bored if the subject isn't engaging enough, so make sure to choose the tour appropriate for the age and interests of the group. 

Costs?

Around £20 or less per person, but it can vary greatly depending on the location of the tour - for example, a minibus tour around a park will cost more than a short walk around a country manor! Make sure to shop around to get an idea of the prices in your area. 

Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)

A guided tour should be suitable for all ages, but students with condtions such has ADHD may have trouble focusing for an extended period of time - make sure to be aware of the specific needs of your group. 

How do we include?

Many guided tours have disabled access for those with limited physical movement, but it would be wise to doublecheck beforehand. Those who are deaf and blind can also be included in guided tours but may need more specialist staff - again, you will need to check with the specific establishments. 

Doing it abroad?

There are points of public interest all around the world, so wherever you can find something well known chances are there will be a guided tour available! Foreign tours may be conducted in another language though, so make sure to confirm the specifications of the tour before booking it. 

Main website: 

This website gives a good overview of places where you can go for a tour guide, but you're best looking at the specific areas around you to find out details!

 

See the list below for venues and providers who deliver this activity:

Menstrie Castle

Venue Type: 
Castles
Overall Rating: 
0

This 400-year-old castle in the former mill town of Menstrie at the foot of the Ochil Hills is part of the Clackmannanshire Tower Trail.

The ground floor houses a fascinating slice of Scottish-Canadian history in a museum dedicated to the founding of Nova Scotia by Sir William Alexander, who was born here in 1577.

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Stoke City Football Club

Venue Type: 
Sports Stadia
Overall Rating: 
0

Ever wanted to see behind the scenes at the home of Stoke City Football Club? Well now you can!

Tours of the Britannia Stadium are available throughout the week and give supporters full access to rooms and suites that most will have never seen before.

They include visits to the first team dressing rooms, executive boxes, the Sir Stanley Matthews Lounge, pitchside (including dugouts) and many other special parts of the stadium.

Tours last approximately 45 minutes, are subject to availability and have to booked two weeks prior to a visit.

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Pollok House

Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
0

A grand country house near Glasgow city centre, Pollok House is Scotland's answer to Downton Abbey and gives a real taste of upstairs/downstairs life in the 1930s.

Children can learn through activity what it was like to live in the House and be a servant in Victorian times. Cost £2 per head (or £1 per child if your school has an educational membership of the Trust).

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Hill of Tarvit Mansion & Kingarrock Hickory Golf

Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
0

Step back to the early 1900s and enjoy a grand day out, Edwardian-style! Play our hickory lawn game and a spot of croquet, try your hand at billiards, outwit your chums in fun parlour games and more.

Hill of Tarvit is one of Scotland's finest Edwardian mansion houses, replete with a splendid collection of antiques, furniture, Chinese porcelain and superb paintings by Sir Henry Raeburn, Allan Ramsay and eminent Dutch artists.

Out of hours opening for school groups is available by prior arrangement.

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Swansea Museum

A fascinating treasure house of Swansea life
Venue Type: 
Museums
Overall Rating: 
0

Swansea Museum is a real treasure house of the ordinary and the extraordinary from Swansea past and present, and is a focus for the future of the city and its people, as well as providing a visitor experience that we hope you find enjoyable. You are able to visit Swansea Museum at four locations - the Museum itself on Oystermouth Road, the Tramshed in Dylan Thomas Square in the Marina, the Museum Stores in Landore and the floating exhibits in the dock by the Tramshed.

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Leith Hill Place

Beauty and genius in the Surrey Hills
Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
0

An atmospheric house set within Leith Hill with panoramic views across the Surrey countryside, Leith Hill Place was the childhood home of one of England's greatest composers, Ralph Vaughan Williams, who gave it to the National Trust in 1944. 

His grandparents, Josiah Wedgwood III and Caroline (née Darwin) moved there in 1847 and his great uncle, the famous naturalist Charles Darwin, conducted experiments in the grounds.

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Inveresk Lodge Garden

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
0

Tucked away behind stone walls in the charming village of Inveresk, this delightful hillside garden offers an oasis of calm and a year-round feast for the senses.

School visits are arranged through the ranger service.

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Oystermouth Castle

Venue Type: 
Castles
Overall Rating: 
0

Oystermouth Castle sits majestically on the hill in Mumbles with stunning views overlooking Swansea Bay.

Come and explore parts of the castle that have been hidden away for centuries, and learn about the castle's exciting history.

Features include ancient graffiti art from the 14th century, private staircases leading from vaults to previous banqueting halls and a 30 foot high glass bridge. Events are held throughout the year, so come along and make a visit to one of Wales' finest castles.

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Burg Nature Reserve

Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
0

Located at the western tip of the Ardmeanach peninsula on the island of Mull, this nature reserce is recognised as a National Scenic Area and a Special Area of Conservation, but is probably best known for being home to MacCulloch's fossil tree. Ranger-led activities to meet curriculum requirements can be organised by arrangement.

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Windsor Castle

Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
0

Windsor Castle, an official residence of The Queen and one of her favourite homes, is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. Since the building of a wooden fortress here at the time of William the Conqueror, the Castle has been transformed over the centuries into a splendid palace, while still retaining much evidence of its turbulent past.

School visits to Windsor Castle offer a wealth of opportunity for learning outside the classroom, development of key skills, and curriculum enrichment.

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A viral video shows a black girl being assaulted by a white woman in a corridor.

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