Built as a summer home by Arts and Crafts architect-designer Ernest Gimson for his brother Sydney, Stoneywell zigzags from its rocky outcrop, amid rhododendrons and heather. Every turn conjures childhood memories of holiday excitement, dashing down the winding steps –– one way to the fort, the other to the woods beyond.
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
Welcome to Stonehenge, one of the wonders of the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe.
Medieval yeoman's house and garden
15th-century half-timbered yeoman's house, featuring a great hall and surrounded by glorious garden, orchard and meadows.
A perfect example of a Wealden Hall-House, it is full of beautiful collections of furniture, wood and metal work.
Wonderful woodland walks over the Otham Valley can begin from here.
14th/15th-century farm buildings, formerly a priest's residence
The priests who lived here served the Chapel of St Nicholas (now destroyed). The Great Hall is open to visitors.
Tynemouth Castle and Priory on the coast of North East England was once one of the largest fortified areas in England. Overlooking the North Sea and the River Tyne, it dominates the headland. With its 2000 year history and beautiful views it is the perfect location for a family fun day out.
The last remaining thatched windmill in England
Built in 1822, this is the last remaining thatched windmill in England - the last survivor of five in the area.
To view the original workings of this fascinating mill come and visit the interior on special Sunday's from 1pm until 5pm.
Windmill interior opening dates for 2015 are 12 April, 10 May, 14 June, 12 July, 9 August and 13 September.
Imposing church built in 1653, with fine panelled interior
Staunton Harold Church rises above a lake whose tranquil waters reflect the beauty of north-west Leicestershire’s gently rolling hills. It is a picture of rural peace and contentment. But you need not look far to find a very different story from England’s most turbulent times.
Arts and Crafts family home with Morris & Co. interiors, set in a beautiful hillside garden
James and Margaret Beale chose an idyllic location with views across the Sussex countryside for their rural retreat. Designed by Philip Webb, the house is one of the finest examples of Arts and Crafts workmanship, with Morris & Co. interiors creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The house is dressed for a weekend stay in 1925, so you can imagine you are a guest of the family.
St Mawes Castle is among the best-preserved of Henry VIII's coastal artillery fortresses, and the most elaborately decorated of them all. One of the chain of forts built between 1539 and 1545 to counter an invasion threat from Catholic France and Spain, it guarded the important anchorage of Carrick Roads, sharing the task with Pendennis Castle on the other side of the Fal estuary.
The Tate organisation is one of the foremost providers of art galleries and experiences for young people in the UK today.
We have four galleries:
Ornate and rare large medieval guildhall
Originally built as a guildhall for a prosperous wool trade, St George's has been used under many guises a corn exchange, a weapons store and finally, a theatre.
The Dean & Chapter of Rochester welcome family groups, school children and students of all ages, abilities, cultural and religious backgrounds to learn about this historic centre of Christian worship.
Rugged coastline and heather moorland steeped in Celtic history
St David's Head is a dramatic headland northwest of St David's and Whitesands beach dominated by the peak of Carn Llidi. Super for sea views and circular coastal walks.
Breathtaking coast, rich in heritage and wildlife
A vast low tide beach and a sea of glowing heather make it hard to believe this area was once an industrial landscape. The enigmatic buildings perched on the cliffs provide a reminder of St Agnes’ tin and copper mining past.
Pretty 17th-century 'Plantation' home with a significant costume collection
Experience the beguiling spirit of this inimitable 17th-century 'Plantation' home, with its walled gardens and parkland, full of tempting waymarked paths. There are ten generations of Lenox-Conyngham family tales to enthrall you, as well as numerous portraits and much furniture to admire and not forgetting Ireland's most-documented ghost: Olivia.
The first lighthouse to use an electric light
A landmark of the White Cliffs, the Victorian lighthouse was built to warn mariners of shifting sands and guide them through the Strait of Dover. A place of innovation and science, the lighthouse was the first to display an electric light anywhere in the world.
A great and ancient Downland estate
Slindon Estate is 1,400 hectares of woodland, downland, farmland, and parkland. With countless historic landscape features and its unspoilt Sussex village, there is something for every visitor.
Ellen Terry's early 16th-century house and cottage gardens
Built in the early 16th-century when Smallhythe was a thriving shipbuilding port, Smallhythe Place was purchased by renowned Victorian actress Ellen Terry in 1899.
Her daughter Edith Craig set up the museum in 1929 which is home to a fascinating personal and theatrical collection which highlights Ellen Terry's extraordinary career and unconventional personal life.
Beautiful medieval house, with rich gardens and estate
This imposing house stands proud at the gateway to the Lake District.
Its rich and beautiful garden includes a pond, lake, a national collection of hardy ferns and a superb limestone rock garden.
The National Dinosaur Museum houses the southern hemisphere's largest permanent display of prehistoric items. The museum's exhibition shows the evolution of life, especially dinosaurs.
The museum is one of the most popular places to visit in the Australian Capital Territory. Each year, 100,000 people come through its doors.
Charmouth is the gateway to the Jurassic Coast, an ancient coastline of dramatic cliffs, fossils and beautiful scenery. Ideal for a family holiday away from brash amusements and expensive visitor attractions - re-discover traditional holiday pastimes, enjoy the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre and look for fossils as well.
Experience one of the country's great gardens
Hidcote is an Arts and Crafts garden in the north Cotswolds, a stone’s throw from Stratford-upon-Avon. Created by the talented American horticulturist, Major Lawrence Johnston its colourful and intricately designed outdoor ‘rooms’ are always full of surprises. It’s a must-see if you’re in the Cotswolds.
When you visit the railway you can enjoy a unique train ride through dramatic limestone scenery, discover fossils and wild flowers, learn about the railway and stare at the vintage rolling stock!
Once the stronghold of the turbulent Mortimer family, Wigmore Castle was later dismantled to prevent its use during the Civil War. Now it is among the most remarkable ruins in England, largely buried up to first floor level by earth and fallen masonry. Yet many of its fortifications survive to full height, including parts of the keep on its towering mound.
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