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!
Our Museum opened on 28th September 2013, part of the new Trebur House development at the corner of Cross Street and Chapel Lane in Wadebridge.
We have a large collection of photographs of Wadebridge and district and are gathering additional artefacts for our collection, including a number of items actually manufactured in Wadebridge.
Stuart House is a late medieval town house restored by the Stuart House Trust as an arts and heritage centre.
The garden to the rear of the House has been laid out as a 17th century Gentleman's Garden.
The House is used for arts and crafts exhibitions and sales, refreshments, lectures, music recitals and heritage exhibitions.
Still home to the St Aubyn family as well as a small community, this iconic rocky island is crowned by a medieval church and castle - with the oldest buildings dating from the 12th century.
Immerse yourself in history, wonder at the architecture and discover the legend of Jack the Giant Killer.
The Museum is located in the heart of the old St Ives fishing community of Downlong.
Formerly the building housed a Pilchard Curing Cellar, Bible Christian Chapel then a laundry and cinema.
The Centre occupies the recently restored Old School building and documents the rich history of its area and of St Hilary Church. This sits in a stunning location which time forgot and has a unique collection of Newlyn-school paintings from the 1920's, formed by the then vicar, Bernard Walke.
An award-winning volunteer-run Museum comprising information, artefacts and curios relating to the Parish of St. Agnes.
Saltash Heritage was formed in 1986 by the late Cornelius 'Corny' Hearl and a group of like minded local people who wanted to see the formation of a permanent museum for Saltash, and aims to collect, promote and research local history in Saltash and surrounding parishes and to maintain a museum in Saltash.
'The Royal Cornwall Museum is an essential place to come to if you are fascinated by Cornwall' Kurt Jackson, artist
If you want to see an unwrapped Egyptian mummy, explorers medicine chest and a wide range of Cornish and British art then head to the Royal Cornwall Museum.
Redruth Old Cornwall Society Museum is part of Cornwall Gold and is located on New Portreath Rd, between Redruth and Portreath.
The Mining Section
The mining section contains a number of mine lamps including some carbide lamps which produce and burn acetylene (C2H2). These were used in the tin mining industry from about 1900.
The Mineral Collection
Porthmeor Studios is a complex of artists' studios, built on top of eighteenth century pilchard cellars below. It is the oldest, possibly the only such complex in Britain and is unique in its combined heritage of fishing and art.
A small Museum located right on the harbourside of the beautiful fishing village of Polperro. The Museum contains a fascinating insight into the history of fishing and smuggling from the late 18th Century to date. It houses a remarkable photographic record dating from around 1860.
Newquay Heritage Archive & Museum provides a number of themed exhibitions relating to Newquay and Districts historical past. We have a archive of historical information for researchers.
There is also an annual exhibition at DairyLand Farm World.
Perranzabuloue, meaning 'Perran in the sands', is one of the largest parishes in Cornwall. The biggest centre of population is Perranporth where the Museum is located. Come and see how the area has developed, from its earliest beginnings; the arrival of St Piran; the growth of fishing, farming and mining; the development and closure of the railway; to the tourist resort it has become today.
This museum of curiosities is housed in Penryn's old Market House. Penryn has been a thriving port even before its neighbour Falmouth had sprung up. The town was mentioned in the Doomsday book in 1086 and has a rich and varied history.
The museum houses a wealth of heritage and showcases the characters and objects that make up Penryn's past.
ARTIST ROOMS: ROBERT THERRIEN
Solo exhibition by American artist Robert Therrien, who is internationally renowned for transforming everyday objects into monumental sculptures that evoke the wonder of childhood.
The Engine Room
For almost 120 years, Newlyn Art Gallery has been bringing the best in contemporary art to audiences in the south west.
The multi-award winning National Maritime Museum Cornwall has 15 galleries, over five floors beautifully illustrating the past, present and future of this island nation. Silver winner of UK Heritage Attraction of the Year at the 2013 British Travel Awards, the Museum features a number of stunning exhibitions dedicated to the sea, boats and Cornwall.
The Caradon mining area is a magnet for industrial heritage enthusiasts. The remains of engine houses on the south eastern edge of Bodmin Moor tell of 19th century mines producing copper, tin and other minerals. The mines circle the dramatic Cheesewring quarry which eats into the dark grey granite of Stowes Hill.
This Grade 11 listed cottage is managed by the Tamar Protection Society and is the oldest building in Saltash, dating from around 1480. The cottage is furnished with period furniture which is on loan from the Victoria and Albert Museum and private collections which, along with utensils on display give the interior a truly atmospheric feel.
Located on the left-hand side of Mevagissey's fabulous inner fishing harbour the Mevagissey Museum is the area's top attraction and is free for all.
The Museum houses a number of collections of local interest and is its self housed in a old building dating back to 1745 when it was used for the construction and repair of smuggling vessels.
Lostwithiel was founded in the twelfth century by the Norman lords who lived in Restormel Castle. The town prospered as the centre for the administration, testing and export of tin.
Lostwithiel grew in importance becoming the county town of Cornwall and home to the county's most significant port.
The purpose of the Grampound with Creed Heritage Project is to tell the story of the countless individuals who have made their mark on this place since ancient times and to ensure that this knowledge is recorded and passed on to future generations.
The history of the parish is illustrated with displays depicting Farming through the Ages, the Fishing Industry, Education, Domesday Book entries, the Manors, World Wars, Coastguards, Churches, Chapels and much more. Illustrated by photographs, tithe maps, documents, parish records and other artefacts.
Fowey museum may be a small one room affair, housed in one of the oldest buildings in the town dating back to the 15th century, but it is packed to the ceiling with interesting artifacts illustrating some of the rich and varied history of this harbour town and its inhabitants.
Some of the displays are changed every year so that we can commemorate local events.
This is not your usual type of museum and it certainly isn’t a large grey building with all the exhibits neatly arranged on shelf after shelf in glass cabinets - ask any of our visitors!
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.