Summer so far and the Olympic Torch is on its way!

Summer has been busy and has seen me travelling all across the South East - over to Brighton, to Hastings, Canterbury, Whitstable, Battle and many more. As well as these tours and my regular Tunbridge Wells tours I have also had some really interesting private tours to keep me busy - including school tours and family history research. It's been very satisfying creating a walk which includes the original home of someone's ancestors and taking people to where their family is buried; especially when some people have travelled from half way around the world to do this. It can be very moving.

As you may have already seen from my website that I'm starting Canterbury Historic Pub Tours and details of the upcoming dates etc can be found under Events/Tours. Walk in the footsteps of Pilgrims, Saints and Kings in beautiful Canterbury. You can always combine your stay with a Historic Pub Tour in the evening plus a day time historic tour around the city with me. Plenty of free time too to enjoy those cafes, the river side and the shopping!

Next week I'm looking forward to a busy week including my first Canterbury Pub Tour on Friday 20th July at 7pm (£10pp. Contact me to book your place). Plus the Olympic Torch starts its tour through Kent in Tunbridge Wells on Tuesday. I shall be there on the historic Pantiles cheering the flame on its way, before offering visitors their own walk around the area at midday. The following weekend is the start of the 30th modern Olympiad in London and in celebration of this and in retrospect of the two previous London games, I will be helping create a Vintage Olympic spirit as part of The Pantiles Vintage Weekend (www.pantilestraders.co.uk).

Tunbridge Wells Life

Exciting news - I am part of team that has launched a new website all about Tunbridge Wells!

We've been working on this site for almost a year now and it's great that we can now reveal the work of all our labours...and of course there is more to come from it. The photos taken on this site will be constantly updated, and eventually you will be able to buy the images too. So, even if you aren't able to come and visit the area, you can still download some fantastic and beautiful photographs. We are also hoping to add the facility to purchase books and leaflets about the area as well.

There are pages for local businesses to advertise on, a catalogue of local events (and my running and upcoming tours) and our accessibility expert, Eve, will be able to let you know about getting out and about in the town if you are in a wheelchair.

We are aiming for this to be for locals and tourists alike the best website to access for information about Tunbridge Wells. It's a work in progress but we have had so much positive feedback so far from everyone who has been on the site.

What is this site, I hear you cry?! Well, it's called Tunbridge Wells Life - and can be found here: www.tunbridgewellslife.co.uk

Enjoy, Explore and meet all the Team! And let me know what you think. 

Tunbridge Wells Tours

The season has started with a bang - some fantastic weather back at the end of March, but rather damp since then, however I'm sure things will hot up for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations and London Olympics!

Tours have been going well with various walks around Kent and Sussex organised for groups as well as individuals - Canterbury and Brighton have been the hot spots for me so far! But I do enjoy travelling further afield to Windsor, Chichester and even Dover to show people around South East England. 

My new tours in Tunbridge Wells itself began this month - I have a new Ale Trail that runs every fortnight throughout summer. They are currently on Tuesday evenings starting at 7pm and we talk about the historic pubs in old Tunbridge Wells - as well as sampling what they have to offer in 3 of the finest! Tickets cost £10 per person and include some free beer!! Contact me to book your place. You don't have to drink beer, or even drink, to come on the tour if history is your thing.

Tunbridge Wells Ale Trail (Photo (c) David Bartholomew)

As well as my regular Monday (11am) and Tuesday Tours (11am and 2pm) - that start at the Tourist Information Centre on The Pantiles and cost £5per person with discounts at Woods Restaurant - you can now also enjoy a Sunday Stroll once a month. My Sunday strolls take in the top of the town, and are perfect for a gentle walk before you enjoy your Sunday Roast! From Burton to biscuits the next Sunday Stroll is May 13th at 11am. Again you can reserve your place if you contact me directly - either ring 07759 226060 or email catherinepitt@hotmail.com - and I can give you more details of where to meet.

Remember if any of these dates and times aren't great for you, and you can organise a group of at least 5 people or more, I can make it a private tour at a date and time that suits you! Maybe as a gift for someone's birthday or anniversary - it's certainly something different!

Happy St David's Day - 1st March

Well, I'm back!! Apologies it's been so long since I've been on my blog updating - planning and organising fantastic tours for 2012 have taken over and I've neglected my blogging duties.

I will soon be able to reveal exciting news re some Tunbridge Wells projects I have running at the moment, as well as other new tours to come around the South East. Remember that I can create tours to your interests, whether it's just for a couple, family, group or corporate team.

I thought I would start my new blog with a lovely sunny picture of a daffodil, especially as the sun has been shining all day here. It was the first time today that I could sit out without a coat on and do some studying outside!! Let's hope the weather hasn't lulled us into a false sense of security!

The Daffodil is significant for today, as it is St David's Day (or Dydd Gwyl Dewi) - St David being the Patron Saint of Wales. St David is said to have been born in Wales in the 5th Century and founded a monastic community at Glyn Rhosin. It is said he died on 1 March 588 CE.

Walking around town today I could see a few daffodils pinned to people's coats and jackets. It's a brave person who dons the leek as well - another emblem, along with the daffodil, often worn by the Welsh (and a rather yummy vegetable too!).

Of course the 1st March heralds the start of Spring here in the UK. Looking forward to the season ahead and sharing it with you!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all my clients and blog readers!

As you may have seen on the website, we at Discover South East England are taking a well deserved break over Christmas and New Year and will be back with you on Tuesday 10th January. In the meantime I hope you all have had a very peaceful Christmas and welcomed in 2012 in style.

It's all very exciting here in the UK as 2012 is the year of many different events and celebrations - Charles Dickens Bicentenary, London Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee to name just a few! I will be bringing you plenty of updates of what is going on and what is planned for any of you visiting the South East of England this year. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Merry Christmas to all!

It's only 3 days until Christmas now, and the Christmas events I have been doing have been great fun. The Pantiles Treasure Hunt draw was yesterday and congratulations to all the winners - the list will be up after the holidays. The last Lantern Lit Tour is tonight, then it's time for Christmas celebrations. I hope that all my clients and readers have had a wonderful 2011 and wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy 2012! I will look forward to welcoming you all to the South East of England next year, just in time for the celebrations of 200 years since Charles Dickens' birth, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the London Olympics, plus much much more. Happy Holidays!

A Festive Tunbridge Wells

Unbelievably, it is just over 2 weeks until Christmas! Everyone has gone shopping crazy and the adverts on TV are shouting deals left, right and centre. Well, what about doing something a bit different? Get away from the crowds and enjoy some family time, and get into the Christmas spirit by taking part in one of the many activities we have taking place this year in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Currently running are The Pantiles' Christmas Treasure Hunts. There is a hunt for children with separate prizes to be won, and the same again for Adults. Over £300 worth of prizes have to be won - if you don't take part, you won't be in with a chance! And for only £1.00 and £2.00 each respectively, a bargain when most prizes are worth upwards of £30.00. You can pick the hunts up at any time (until last day 20 Dec) - all details are on my Events page.

Once you've completed your Pantiles Hunt, there is a Conundrum you can complete as a family for The Camden Road Christmas Market (17 Dec 2011). It's the first year of the Christmas Market here and I was asked to produce a family treasure hunt for this area with historical aspects to this very interesting and overlooked part of Tunbridge Wells. Again a fabulous hamper to be won, with prizes donated from the shops of Lower Camden Road within it! 

If you haven't quite got into the festive mood with the Hunts, then I'd suggest a Lantern Lit Christmas Traditions Tour around The Pantiles. Starting at 4.30pm from outside the Tourist Information Centre, on Thursday's up to Christmas - so the 15th and 22nd are left now, plus Saturday 17th December. For £5.00 per person (children under 10 years old are free) you get to learn about how and why we celebrate Christmas today the way that we do! Come learn about Wren Hunting, Boy Bishops, Stir Up Sunday and Dumb Cake!

And if that hasn't got the kids excited, then there is one Children's Christmas and Storytelling Activity day you can get them booked in on - Sunday 18th December in The Corn Exchange on The Pantiles. At either 10.30am or 2.30pm you can bring your children along to have a Christmas story (written by local children's author Tony Streeter) read to them, and then they can enjoy some activities. Children take home all that they make plus a goodie bag with a chocolate treat in. Booking is essential for this as limited spaces in the Unit -  so please contact me asap, as places going fast. Cost is £3.50 per child (ages 3 years old +) - adult's free! (Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times).

After all that festive fun I think I will be ready to put my feet up, a sherry in hand, and wish everyone all over the world, whether you celebrate Christmas or not, a very happy, healthy and peaceful festive period and New Year!