An 18th century cottage which was the boyhood home of Francis Asbury, the first American Methodist Bishop. Asbury is virtually unknown in Britain but has his own statue on the Capitol in Washington. He is considered important in the founding of an independent American nation.
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!
Venues with this Activity
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BMAG) first opened in 1885. It is housed in a Grade II* listed city centre landmark building. There are over 40 galleries to explore that display art, applied art, social history, archaeology and ethnography:
Carefully restored, atmospheric 19th-century courtyard of working people's houses
An atmospheric glimpse into the lives of the ordinary people who helped make Birmingham an extraordinary city.
On a fascinating guided tour, step back in time at Birmingham's last surviving court of back to backs; houses built literally back-to-back around a communal courtyard.
The history of Birkenhead goes back beyond Victorian years. The oldest standing building on Merseyside, Birkenhead Priory encapsulates so much of the town's history within a small, enclosed site. Founded in 1150, the monks of this Benedictine monastery looked after travellers for nearly 400 years and supervised the first regulated 'Ferry 'cross the Mersey'.
A gallery full of contemporary craft, displays of historic items, plus events for all ages. Great inspiration for your little art fans as you can hold and touch a number of items. Free to visit.
The gallery has a changing exhibition programme that features some great examples of modern craft such as jewellery, textiles, ceramics, woodwork and more.
Big Pit Amgueddfa Lofaol Cymru
Big Pit is a real coal mine and one of Britain's leading mining museums. With facilities to educate and entertain all ages, Big Pit is an exciting and informative day out.
Underground Tours
A surprise around every corner!
This unique Museum is housed in an unusual 18thC 'Butchers Shambles'.
Situated in the heart of the picturesque Georgian town of Bewdley, the museum offers a friendly welcome and entertaining experience for the whole family.
The Last Working Mill in Yorkshire
Skidby Mill is a working four-sailed tower windmill, the last working mill in Yorkshire. It is set in an acre of land and has magnificent views over the Wolds. The mill is unusual in still having all its original outbuildings around the courtyard. Some of these buildings have been converted to form the Museum of East Riding Rural Life.
Sewerby Hall is a Grade I listed Georgian country house with Regency and Victorian additions set in 50 acres of picturesque park. The Hall contains an important collection of Amy Johnson memorabilia and galleries in which a temporary exhibition programme is displayed.
Goole Community Museum is located on the first floor of the Goole Library building, and explores the history of the historic port town of Goole through permanent displays and a temporary exhibition programme. The museum welcomes visits from schools and community groups, and has a dedicated Education Room in which pupils and visitors can work with the museum collections.
The Beverley Guildhall is a Grade 1 listed building which has had a long and fascinating history. Originally purchased by the Beverley town keepers in 1501, it has been in continuous civic use since then. Today it is run as a historic building and community museum but is still used for ceremonial civic occasions.
The East Riding Treasure House is a heritage centre providing museum, library and archive facilities under one roof, plus access to the adjoining Edwardian exhibition spaces of the Beverley Art Gallery. The Treasure House tower provides splendid views over the rooftops of Beverley.
Learning
Have fun and learn about the history of Berwick-Upon-Tweed as you walk through the alleys of the old town recreated in the Window on Berwick displays. Meet some of its fascinating characters and find out about the old ways of life including the Mayor’s power to sentence to death!
Made famous by John ‘Iron Mad’ Wilkinson, a leading figure in the Industrial Revolution, the once noisy Bersham Ironworks now nestles quietly in the attractive Clywedog Valley, two miles outside Wrexham in north-east Wales.
School history workshops for KS2 - KS3 pupils.
Neo-classical mansion with fine interiors, set in landscape grounds
Get creative in our den building area; join a garden, parkland or architecture tour; and explore the family rooms and see how the servants moved around the house unseen by the family and guests!
The museum contains a well displayed and comprehensive collection tracing the history of the Regiment since its beginnings in 1794.
The Royal Berkshire Medical Museum is part of the Berkshire Medical Heritage Centre which was founded in 1997.
Our aim is to preserve and display items of historical medical interest particularly those with a local connection.
The museum is based in the former USAF hardened command post o the former Bentwaters airfield. We believe this is the only such building open ot the public in hte UK and Europe.
A family home for 500 years
Situated on a plateau above the gorge of the River Severn, this fine stone house has mullioned and transomed windows, a stunning interior with carved oak staircase and decorated plaster ceilings and oak panelling.
Castle built by one of Scotland’s most powerful families, the Crichtons
Built in the 15th century by one of Scotland’s most powerful families, the Crichtons, Blackness was never destined as a peaceful lordly residence; its enduring roles were those of garrison fortress and state prison.
Highlights
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Blackness Castle stands in for Fort William in series one of the TV show Outlander.
Pleasure palace of the royal Stewarts
Built and developed over two centuries by successive Stewart kings of Scotland, Linlithgow Palace was a comfortable and attractive retreat from affairs of state, conveniently placed between Stirling and Edinburgh. Both James V and his daughter Mary Queen of Scots were born here, overlooking the tranquil beauty of the loch and peel (park).
Burial site dating to 3,000 BC
Cairnpapple was used from about 3,000 BC to 1400 BC firstly as a ceremonial site then several centuries later as a burial site.
Cairnpapple Hill is located 5km north of Bathgate, 2km from Torphichen.
Highlights
Glorious gardens surround this baroque mansion with National Portrait Gallery paintings
Inspired by his Grand Tour, John Bourchier created Beningbrough, an Italian Palace nestled between York, Harrogate and Leeds. The impressive rooms are a perfect backdrop for the rich collection of portraits on loan from the National Portrait Gallery, Beningbrough’s long-term partner.
The Ben Uri Collection is the world's most distinguished body of work by artists of European Jewish descent.
Schools
Ben Uri is dedicated to providing inclusive learning programmes for schools, families, communities and adult learners.
The Perfect English Country House?
Begun for Sir John Brownlow in 1685, Belton was certainly designed to impress and across its 300 year history, each generation of the Brownlows left their creative mark.
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