Top South East England Culture - page 6

Visit Leeds Castle and Canterbury in one seamless excursion on this day trip from Brighton. Avoid the headaches of driving or hopping between trains and cabs, and travel in comfort first to the magnificent Leeds, once owned by Henry VIII, to enjoy the castle, parkland, gardens, maze, birds of prey displays, and more. From there, it’s on to medieval Canterbury for a guided tour of its landmarks and free time to explore independently.

Four knights walked into Canterbury Cathedral one December evening — not to pray, but to murder an archbishop. This app-based self-guided walking tour takes you through the city shaped by that single act, passing by all three UNESCO World Heritage sites and the medieval streets that connect them. From the spot where Becket fell to the oldest church still in use in the English-speaking world, you'll follow stories of refugee weavers and a poet who wrote one of England's greatest work of literature and died penniless. Fifteen stops over four kilometres, narrated at your own pace — no fixed start time, no group to follow. If you'd rather pause for a riverside lunch than rush between landmarks, this self-guided Canterbury walking tour fits your day, not the other way around. It is perfect for those trying to figure out what to do in Canterbury apart from visiting the cathedral. Over 20,000 travellers have used our self-guided tours, and a full refund guarantee means nothing to lose.

Explore Brighton on a guided walking tour that brings the city’s LGBTQ+ history and culture into focus, without the need to research a route or navigate on your own. Walk through the historic Lanes and along the seafront while learning how Brighton became one of the UK’s most LGBTQ+-friendly cities and a major Pride destination. Along the way, hear stories of early equality pioneers, drag performers, landmark moments such as a same-sex wedding in 1923, and the nightlife that continues to shape the city today.

Join us to experience and explore the wonderful sights and sounds of the New Forest coast line. Our experience guides have extensive knowledge of the history and wildlife of the area. One of the most scenic sections of the New Forest National Park with views across to the Isle of Wight and the famous Needles, the area is teeming with wildlife. Full joining details will be sent out a few days ahead of the tour.

A priceless heirloom. A sudden theft. A legacy hidden in time. As the only descendant of legendary watchmaker Alfred Du Pont, you’ve inherited more than a masterpiece - you’ve inherited a mystery. When your symbolic timepiece is stolen in broad daylight, the chase begins. Explore the historic streets of Oxford in this immersive self-guided quest, where every twist of a corner brings a new clue and every landmark hides a secret. Use your phone to follow the thief’s trail, solve riddles engraved in stone and time, and uncover the truth behind your family’s greatest invention. You’ll journey through the city at your own pace, discovering iconic spots and hidden alleys along the way. What makes this tour unique? It blends the elegance of Oxford’s past with a time-themed mystery, placing you at the center of a thrilling detective story you’ll walk through step by step. Perfect for couples, families, or anyone seeking a memorable day of intrigue and discovery.

This chocolate-themed tour is your shortcut to finding Brighton’s tastiest chocolate spots. Discover local haunts and quirky independent chocolatiers in the historical city center, as well as Hove and Kempton. Along the way, taste delicious sweet treats such as macaroons, chocolate cake, and pralines, and pass by famous landmarks too, such as Brighton Dome, and Brighton Palace Pier.

Step into the shadows of history and embark on an uncomfortable ghost tour as we learn about the events that have sparked the eerie and profound tales of hauntings in Oxford. This tour was researched and designed by two historians who study the history of hauntings and ghost stories, and explores how certain moments live on through oral histories. Our Haunted Oxford tour delves into the structure of stories of the supernatural, revealing the unsettling moments from the past that continue to haunt the present. This unique tour examines haunting through the echoes of gender disparities, oppression, violence, social division, and the powerful grip of memory. Tour lasts 1.5 hours and runs in all weather so please dress appropriately. Dogs welcome.

Explore the ‘uncomfortable’ side of the Ashmolean Museum. This tour highlights the contentious histories within museum spaces, bringing forward discussions about colonial origins, object transferal networks, and requests for repatriation. It encourages critical thinking and engagement with the Ashmolean Museum, its collections, and its displays. Delving into the intricate layers of history behind the exhibits, this tour will provide insight into the imperial connections that led to the development of the first public museum in England. Through the questioning of labels, displays, and exhibits, this tour asks participants: What is the purpose of a museum? All our tours are led by university researchers who have completed our official Uncomfortable Oxford training programme. Our guides combine expert knowledge and performance, ensuring each tour is a fun and educational experience. The tour has been developed in collaboration with the Ashmolean Museum staff and curators.

Get the lowdown on Portsmouth’s lesser-known history, with a tour that focuses on the diabolical side of the city. With a guide who’s both a local Portmuthian and passionate historian, you’ll hear the tales of the villains and characters who brought color to Portsmouth’s streets over the last 900 years. Stops to check out landmarks like the medieval Round Tower complete the experience.

The Isle of Wight, home to a variety of distinctive landscapes, dramatic cliffs, long stunning beaches and great attractions, is a natural playground for all ages! In Portsmouth, learn about the heritage and naval history of the city. • Take a stroll trough Godshill, a quintessential English Village, with its delightful medieval church, charming thatched roofed cottages and traditional tearooms. • Soak up the view on the scenic drive to Alum Bay, known for its multi-coloured sand cliffs and stunning scenery. • Enjoy a panoramic chairlift to the stunning beach (you can also choose to walk) and the many exciting attractions here for all the family. On the beach you get a close up of "The Needles", one of the most photographed groups of rocks in the world. • Get a great photo of Portsmouth's Spinnaker Tower and Historic Dockyard as your ferry departs to, and returns from the Isle of Wight.

Are you looking for a way to see Oxford without joining a tour group? Explore at your own pace with this affordable walking tour. • Discover why Oxford’s time is 5 minutes behind the rest of the country and find out why students are forbidden from jumping into the River Cherwell • Hear from producer Ian Grover, a licensed tour guide who’s produced a number of popular VoiceMap tours • Do it all in 90 minutes or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish • Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it • Use the virtual tour option at home Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code. The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.

This carefully crafted walking tour has been specially developed for visitors who want a quick introduction to the very best that the city has to offer before exploring sites in more detail. If so, this is the tour for you! Lead by Canterbury resident and Cambridge PhD, Dr Anthony Medhurst, you will discover the most fascinating, historic and beautiful locations within the city's historic walls - all within one hour.

Explore the fascinating world of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis on this guided walking tour through Oxford. See iconic locations such as Exeter College, the Sheldonian Theatre, the Bodleian Library, and Magdalen College, where the Inklings met. Discover how these writers inspired and helped one another. Enjoy a visit to Magdalen College, where Lewis spent nearly three decades. This tour provides a unique insight into the lives of these authors and the city that inspired them. - 2.5 hour guided walking tour of Oxford’s literary landmarks - Visit Magdalen College, where Lewis worked from 1925 to 1954 - Suitable for teenagers and adults; private tours are also available for families with young children - Learn from an expert guide about the lives of Tolkien and Lewis and their friendship - Learn how Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) met the young Alice Liddell at Christ Church College and how she inspired him to write Alice in Wonderland! - Avoid the crowds - maximum group 12 people

Escape the city and explore the enchanting Cotswolds on this scenic tour from Oxford. Visit Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water and Burford for a delightful day trip. Highlights: • Discover the beauty of the Cotswolds on a day trip from Oxford • Visit beautiful villages including Bourton-on-the-water, Stow-on-the-Wold and Burford • Have spare time to explore each area at your own leisure • Enjoy return transportation on a luxury, air-conditioned coach

On this fully guided walking tour of Oxford’s must-see top 10 highlights, visitors can discover the treasures of one of the greatest university cities in the world. This tour offers the best opportunity to see the very best of Oxford. Starting from the heart of Oxford's historical centre, your expert local guide offers a wonderful engaging tour through the vibrant historical streets of Oxford visiting both well-known sites and hidden gems where visitors can see, and experience so much more, than they could on their own. Packed full of incredible insights and up-close historical visits, including the Bridge of Sighs, the 14th-century New College, and magnificent Divinity Library, this interactive, three hour tour is the essential guide into Oxford city and England’s fascinating history. Visit Oxford’s Top 10, including Bridge of Sighs, the 13th century New College as well as the magnificent Divinity Library, where many of the Harry Potter moves were filmed.

Explore the highlights of Oxford's two major art collections, at the Ashmolean Museum and Christ Church Picture Gallery, with an art historian and Sotheby’s specialist. Join me on a rich and entertaining journey through the history of European art, from Ancient Greece to French Impressionism. On the way, you’ll discover masterpieces ranging from Uccello's Hunt in the Forest, to Monet’s Sunset at Sea. Half way through, we’ll have a coffee break at Ashmolean’s Rooftop café. We’ll then walk to Christ Church Picture Gallery, part of Christ Church, one Oxford’s most famous colleges, to see masterpieces from their collection of mainly Italian paintings and drawings, including Botticelli's paintings of the Sybils, and Head of Young Woman by Verrocchio, one of the most beautiful drawings that remains from the Florentine Renaissance. During the experience, you'll be introduced to specialist skills, including spotting painting restorations and identifying 15th century paper.

Are you looking for a way to see Oxford’s literary gems without joining a tour group? Explore at your own pace with this affordable walking tour. • See the spots that inspired Lewis Carroll, CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien and the filming locations for Harry Potter and HBO’s His Dark Materials • Hear from producers Jeremy Allen and Graeme Fry, the presenters and producers of the Oxford Lives podcast • Do it all in 90 minutes or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish • Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it • Use the virtual tour option at home Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code. The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.

Explore the university city of Oxford on a tour that showcases its highlights in just a couple of hours. The walking tour introduces you to many of Oxford's famous colleges and university buildings as you stroll around the city with a guide. Get recommendations for things to do and see in the city in your own time, and hear insider tips for Oxford's many restaurants.

Spend three days exploring the West Country with a local guide. Visit Stonehenge and a handful of surrounding villages; taste cheddar cheese in the place it was invented; and explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bath, including its famous Roman baths. You can also choose to visit a local falconry, where you'll have the unique opportunity to fly a hawk.

If you’re short on time but want to see the picturesque village that typify Kent, look no further than this day trip from Dover, Folkestone, Ashford, or Canterbury. With a choice of departure time, the private tour can be tailored to you and your interests. Start with a hotel or port pickup, then travel to the most photo-worthy spots around Kent. Visits to medieval town of Sandwich, coastal town of Deal, and of, course, the UNESCO-listed white Cliffs of Dover are all on the list.

Explore the lives of two of Oxford's greatest writers, and their friendship, with an award-winning guide. On this tour we will follow in the footsteps of JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis. We will see where they studied, taught, lived, worshipped, lectured, wrote and - most importantly - drank with their friends the Inklings. Out of these friendships and conversations emerged Aslan, Gandalf and many other much-loved characters and stories. Both men became extremely famous in their lifetimes, but never gave up their day-jobs of teaching in the English department. We will explore CS Lewis's conversion to Christianity and late-life marriage to Joy Gresham, and hear about Tolkien's student pranks and life-long deep love for trees. We will end at the beautiful college of Magdalen, where Lewis taught for nearly 30 years and the Inklings met every Thursday. If you want to go inside it, you will need to pay the entrance fee, which is £9.50 adults/£8.50 concessions.

Led by a member of the British Mountaineering Council, head out on a scenic hike along the Seven Sisters Cliffs. Along the 10 mile (16 kilometer) route, your guide will take you to places only known to locals, passing sea views, cliffs, rivers, forests, farmland, and downland hills.

This guided walk is easy to moderate depending on your group preference: the length, route and level of difficulty are flexible. A typical walk (moderate) is a 16 km (10 miles) loop starting and finishing in Seaford, 5-6 hours including lunch and refreshment breaks. Other starting/pick-up points are available - to be discussed after booking. All walks feature fabulous views of the Seven Sisters Cliffs, Seaford Head and Cuckmere Haven. Your guide Matt will take you to places only known to locals, including seascapes, stunning white cliffs, rivers, forests, secluded villages, agricultural land and Downland hills. Please wear appropriate clothes and footwear suitable for walking! We can make it easier for those who would prefer to jump on a bus back to Seaford after stopping for lunch, making it accessible and active without being too physically demanding! There are 2 booking options: - For 1 - 4 people (this one) - For 5+ people Please make sure you book the correct ticket type.

Take Windsor at your own pace, spend quality time with a local and get your bearings on your very own private tour of Windsor. A town steeped in royal heritage and set along the picturesque River Thames, Windsor is as charming as it is captivating. From its deep ties to the British monarchy to its eclectic architecture and vibrant modern life, there’s something for everyone to discover in this idyllic town. Join your local expert guide for a 1.5-hour stroll through the main sights of Windsor, walking in the footsteps of kings, queens, and everyday folk. From William the Conqueror’s claim on the town after the Battle of 1066 to Queen Elizabeth II’s long-standing residence at Windsor Castle, history comes to life around every corner. Along the way, you'll not only uncover Windsor’s fascinating past but also gain insight into what it’s like to live and work in this historic town today. Key sights: Windsor Castle Eton College River Thames Thames Street The Crooked House