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:

Lullingstone Roman Villa

Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
0

Among the most outstanding Roman villa survivals in Britain, Lullingstone provides a unique all weather school visit.

Set in the attractive surroundings of the Darent Valley in Kent, the villa was begun in about AD 100, and developed to suit the tastes and beliefs of successive wealthy owners, reaching its peak of luxury in the mid-4th century.

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Eyam Treasure Trail

Venue Type: 
Tours
Overall Rating: 
0

A fantastically fun way to get out and explore the historic plague village of Derbyshire. Kids will get an understanding of history whilst solving the mystery of the lost treasure from days gone by. Adults get to share and help them in their learning and fun.

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Little Moreton Hall

Iconic Tudor Manor House
Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
0

‘Logically it should not still be standing up!’

Seeing the tumbling architecture of Little Moreton Hall for the first time, engineers in 1990 could not believe their eyes. Fortunately this timber-framed building, curled around with a scenic moat, has defied logic for over 500 years.

Discover something new

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Housesteads Roman Fort - Hadrian's Wall

Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
0

Set high on a dramatic escarpment of Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site, Housesteads Roman Fort is a fascinating tourist attraction in the north east of England. There are some stunning panoramic views to enjoy from the walls of this ancient fortress.

Imagine how life was for the 800 Roman soldiers based here as you wander the remains of the barrack blocks and the commandant’s house. See if you can find some of the oldest toilets you'll ever see and there's a fascinating museum too, complete with a model of how the fort looked in Roman times.  

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Caerleon Amphitheatre & Barracks

Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
0

Famed in the Middle Ages as ‘King Arthur’s Round Table’, the amphitheatre at Caerleon was built to serve the Roman legionary fortress of Isca around AD 90. 

The arena in Roman times was covered with sand, a surface more suitable than the present smooth grass for the variety of activities and spectacles (sometimes bloody and violent) which took place here. It is interesting to note that the Amphitheatre, completed about the same time as the Colosseum in Rome in 80 AD,  could seat a whole legion - up to six thousand spectators.

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Stockport Air Raid Shelters

Step back in time to 1940s wartime Britain
Venue Type: 
Museums
Overall Rating: 
0

Now open to the public, the shelters, with a network of tunnels almost 1.6km (1 mile) long, once sheltered 6,500 people.

Come and experience life as it was during a 'black out' in wartime Britain and experience the sights and sounds of the home front. 

Opened in 1939, the shelters were the largest purpose-built civilian air raid shelters in the country designed to provide shelter for up to 6,500 people. Don't miss the facility of a 16-seater toilet.

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Auckland Castle Deer House

Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
0

A charming Gothic Revival 'eyecatcher' built in 1760 in the park of the Bishops of Durham. It provided deer with shelter and food, and had grounds for picnics and rooms for enjoying the view.

The Bishops of Durham have kept a residence at Auckland since the Norman period.

Built about 1760 by Richard Trevor, Bishop of Durham from 1752 to 1771, it provided a feeding place and shelter for the deer, and also had rooms in which the bishop and his guests could picnic, enjoy the views of the park and take a rest from hunting.

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Warkworth Castle and Hermitage

Be king or queen for the day in this great Northumbrian stronghold
Venue Type: 
Castles
Overall Rating: 
0
If you are planning a fun family day out in Northumberland then look no further than Warkworth Castle with its magnificent cross-shaped keep crowning a hilltop above the River Coquet.

Once home to the powerful Percy family who now reside in Alnwick Castle, Warkworth was and remains one of the largest and most impressive fortresses in North East England. It was once home to 'Harry Hotspur', hero of many Border ballads and the bane of Scots raiders.

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Florence Court

Beautiful 18th-century house
Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
0

There is something for all the family at this warm and welcoming 18th-century property, the former home of the Earls of Enniskillen. The house enjoys a peaceful setting in west Fermanagh, with a dramatic backdrop of mountains and forests. There are glorious walks to enjoy, as well as fine vistas and play areas. There is even a charming walled garden.

Every aspect of life in this classical Irish house, with its fine interiors and exquisite decoration, are brought to life on fascinating guided tours.

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Letocetum Roman Baths and Museum

Excavated Roman bathhouse, other remains and museum
Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
0

Explore the remains of this once important Roman staging post, including 'mansio' (Roman inn) and bathhouse.

The site is entirely open-air and manned by volunteers, who are happy to provide more detailed information on the site on the last weekend of every month from March to October.

Letocetum is under the guardianship of English Heritage.

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