Top East Midlands Half-day Tours

Discover Nottingham, a vibrant, forward-thinking city deeply rooted in its fascinating past. Starting and ending at the Old Market Square, this roughly circular route takes you past iconic landmarks including the Park Tunnel and historic Nottingham Castle. You'll uncover a pub uniquely carved into a cliff face and explore a mysterious sandstone tunnel deep beneath the city streets. Nottingham is famed for its subterranean wonders, expect descents into underground features, including steps and a large tunnel to walk through. Along the way, your guide Helen shares insider tips and local haunts, so you'll always know the best spots to pause and soak in the atmosphere. This is a self-guided outdoor walking tour. Most stops are exterior visits, for the few attractions offering indoor entry, you're welcome to visit independently at your own expense.

Explore Nottingham's rich history while visiting 5 of its finest historic pubs. This tour takes you through the city’s charming streets, revealing fascinating tales of Robin Hood, medieval knights, and local legends. Each pub holds a unique story, from one with a canal running through it to another possibly being the oldest in Britain, complete with caves beneath. Enjoy a complimentary drink at each of the four pubs you visit, making it a delightful way to savor Nottingham's vibrant pub culture while soaking in its historical ambiance. - Visit five authentic historic pubs, each with a unique character - Enjoy a free drink at each stop, including local ales and soft drinks - Sightseeing highlights include tales of Robin Hood and local history - Duration of 4-5 hours, with convenient meeting points available

Our Private Oakham Pub Tour isn’t just a pub tour but also visits some of the oldest and most characterful parts of the market town of Oakham and we will see castles, churches, market squares, and all sorts of other history along the way.  A drink for each person in each pub is included in the tour price though of course, soft and sometimes hot drinks are available if preferred. We normally meet outside Oakham Railway Station which is easy for day-trippers from London (also Nottingham, Peterborough, and Leicester) but this tour is also perfect for anyone staying in one of the lovely hotels in Rutland, all just a short taxi ride away.  If you’re staying in Oakham itself, I can meet you at your hotel.

This private walking tour explores two of the most beautiful little market towns in Britain that are only a few miles apart but which are entirely different in how they look and feel. We will spend around 3 hours in lovely Oakham before hopping 10 minutes on the train (or by car if you prefer) to Stamford. Oakham is the county town of Rutland. Our smallest county with gorgeous countryside all around and with a well-deserved reputation for its quality food and drink and artisan shops. Oakham also has a unique Great Hall in the castle, old buttercross & market & much more. Stamford is perhaps the finest Georgian-era town in Britain. You might not have been there before but you’ll likely recognise it from its many appearances onscreen. Stamford’s narrow alleyways and hidden courtyards are home to all manner of specialty shops, fine jewelers & designer boutiques. It also has a Friday Market and a buzzing High Street. Not forgetting the great history and architecture. It's heaven!

Just over an hour from London by train ( I do the journey daily), Leicester is rich in history, sport and culture. Remember the discovery of King Richard III under a carpark in Leicester. In this tour we will visit the spot where he had lain buried for 527 years as well as visiting his majestic resting place in Leicester Cathedral where he was re-interred in the presence of royals and descendants of those who fought with him at the Battle of Bosworth. On our private walking tour of Leicester we will also visit the beautiful old Guildhall and see the old Jewry Wall Bathhouse which dates from Roman times and visit other spots that were important in the life and death of King Richard III Leicester also played host to the English Civil War. Whilst not much of the castle remains now it has an important past. You can still see the loopholes the Parliamentary defenders made to shoot out at the Royalists outside. We will also explore the ‘modern’ Georgian streets in the centre of the city.

This private walking tour explores two of the most beautiful little market towns in Britain that are only a few miles apart but which are entirely different in how they look and feel. We will spend around 3 hours in lovely Stamford before hopping 10 minutes on the train (or by car if you prefer) to Stamford. Stamford is perhaps the finest Georgian-era town in Britain. You might not have been there before but you’ll likely recognise it from its many appearances onscreen. Stamford’s narrow alleyways and hidden courtyards are home to all manner of specialty shops, fine jewelers & designer boutiques. It also has a Friday Market and a buzzing High Street. Not forgetting the great history and architecture. It's heaven! Oakham is the county town of Rutland. Our smallest county with gorgeous countryside all around and with a well-deserved reputation for its quality food and drink and artisan shops. Oakham also has a unique Great Hall in the castle, old buttercross & market & much more.

Stamford is a real hidden jewel of England. It has unique mix of history and fabulous Georgian architecture along with some terrific old shopping streets. Maybe that is why Sir Walter Scott declared Stamford to be “the finest stone town in England”. With over 600 listed buildings of gorgeous limestone including five of the most spectacular medieval churches anyway it is perhaps not a surprise that it is often voted amongst the best places to live and also home to best high street in Britain.  Next to Burghley House, known around the world for its Horsetrials and depicted in all sorts of big TV and cinema shows. Burghley is one of the largest & grandest surviving houses of the 16thC & amongst the very finest examples of the great Elizabethan houses.  We will explore all over the house in the service areas & upstairs for all the magnificent rooms and corridors all richly decorated with fabulous works of art. Finally we can explore the gardens and landscaped estate.

The beautiful town of Stamford is on the old coaching route between London, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh and as such is the natural home for some wonderfully characterful pubs and inns that would have been a hive of activity in days gone by. Today Stamford is said to be the finest stone city in Britain, there are less horse and carts and more ambling visitors and shoppers exploring all the nooks and crannies. The pub tour is a great alternative way to see this marvelous old town whilst learning its history as we visit some of its most historic old pubs with a drink included in each one (drinks not compulsory).

Lincoln is the capital city of Lincolnshire and one of the most picturesque and historic cities anywhere. Lincoln is one of the most beautiful and surprising hidden gems in the UK with a modern history going back to Roman times.  Our Private Walking Tour is a great way to discover this beautiful old city as we visit and explore all the big sights and a few hidden gems. We ill go at whatever pace suits you best and visit the fantastic Cathedral, old Castle with its Magna Carta, the High Bridge and the Guildhall. We will also walk through some of the most charming old shopping streets you will ever see so perhaps you might want to sample some local delicacies such as Lincolnshire sausages or maybe some Lincoln plum bread.

This tour is great for anyone making a day trip from London. We would meet you outside Peterborough Station (45 minutes from London) or indeed from anywhere else you might be travelling.  A few minutes away is the wonderful old Guildhall. Built originally in 1671 it has served as both a market and a townhall. A farmers market is still held here regularly along with many over events in the square. A short stroll away is the really rather wonderful Peterborough Cathedral which we shall explore inside. We can then get the train a short distance to either the beautiful Georgian Town of Stamford or the county town of Rutland, Oakham or both of them for a full day out. Pick which option is best for you.

Turning the streets of Nottingham Into an Adventure Playground! Get a unique perspective of the city centre on this self-guided, interactive treasure hunt. It's the best way to explore the city! On your adventure, unlock a hidden trail by finding clues, solving puzzles and completing challenges, earning points along the way. During your Quest, discover the city's highlights, explore hidden gems, learn some fun facts about the places you visit and see things that most people just pass by. As the activity is all self-guided through the GQA app, you can start your Quest when you want (must be played during daylight hours), there are no set starting/ending times. No groups to follow. You can go at your own pace, stopping for longer in one location, taking a break or having a snack in one of the many cafes and pubs along the trail OR you can make it a race and try to get to the top of the city leaderboard! Instant acess with nothing to print from home. Will you conquer the Quest?

Rutland is England’s smallest and some might say its prettiest county. One thing is for certain, Rutland lives up to its motto, Multum in Parvo or ‘much in little’. In this private tour you will just want this beautiful little place has to offer. Explore the market towns and rolling countryside and its famous Rutland Water. Visit castles, churches and walk down beautiful streets and lanes. Perhaps treat yourself to something nice. Rutland is well known for being foodie paradise (Pork Pie and Stilton for me if you're asking). One thing you won’t help but notice is the beautiful rolling countryside in Rutland which combined with its perfect picturesque villages has been labelled the new Cotswolds we will find out why. This is a private tour just for you by car with a certain level of walking at each spot. I know where I'd like to take you but it's all easy going and we can go with the flow, wherever that takes us. There truly is Much In Little.