Tour Enquiries

While my website is still under construction, remember you can enquire about a talk or a tour via my email address:
info@discoversoutheastengland.co.uk  or catherine@discoversoutheastengland.co.uk

I am qualified to undertake site, walking and coach tours throughout the South East of England.

The tours can be set town/theme tours or I can create a tour specifically to your needs/interests. Just email me and find out!

I'm back!!

Apologies for the long delay in posting my next blog. Been having some issues with my computer and the blogger host, but hopefully now all resolved, and I'm back!!

Lots of things have been happening since the Award Ceremony. I've undertaken my first Cruise Ship Group Tour from Dover Docks to Rye and back via a "Kent County Tour". An enjoyable jaunt by coach through the beautiful countryside of Kent via the Jewel of the Weald, Tenterden; stopping off at Rye for the Town Model and a walk around the historic streets. On our way back we went through Romney Marsh back to Dover via New Romney and Hythe. My coach group were Americans on an European cruise and they loved the different scenery and change in culture.

I did learn an important thing to keep on emphasising to tourists, especially those on day trips off cruise ships, that although Britain is part of the EU, we actually have our own currency - pounds and pence! This came a surprise to many, who believed they could use dollars or Euros in cafes/shops. There are a number of shops these days who in the tourist hot spots (and especially in London) do take Euros now, but it is best to change your money on ship or at a local bank before heading off. Cards are also a difficult one, many shops and restaurants still don't take Amex or Diners Cards. Best to use your card to take some English money out of the cashpoint and use that. You can always use the change to buy small souvenirs to take home to loved ones.

What else has been taking up my time - website work (it's getting there!!), doing plenty of research for some tours coming up in Tunbridge Wells, having meetings with various people regarding these tours, and had a walk yesterday in Brighton and have a Treasure Hunt this Thursday. It's all go!

Awards Ceremony at Rochester Cathedral

The day finally came for all us newly qualified Blue Badge Guides to receive our Badges from the Institute of Tourist Guiding last Thursday. The ceremony took place in the beautiful Cathedral of Rochester, where we had one of our practical exams.

Rochester Cathedral

The Cathedral's Evensong was dedicated to us and it was such a privilege to be sat in the Quire in the 900 year old building listening to the soaring voices of the Cathedral Choir.

After Evensong we remained in the Quire area and our badges and certificates were handed out to us by Her Grace, the Duchess of Norfolk, the Patron of SEETGA (South East England Tourist Guides Association).

It was great to see everyone who had worked so hard with me, together again, plus our tutors, representatives from the Guild and Institute; plus all those who helped us during the course including Canterbury Museum, and Visit Kent, with their Chairwoman, Amanda Cottrell OBE.

A surprise of the evening was after our Badges were given out, there were also prizes awarded for the course and exams. Totally unexpectedly I obtained the award for best Cathedral Guide and was presented with a beautiful framed photo montage of the North front of the Cathedral by the Dean of the Cathedral, Adrian Newman.

After the Badges and awards were handed out we were all treated to drinks and nibbles in the South Quire Transept. Some of my fellow guides, including myself, were also privileged enough to be allowed behind the scenes to take a look at the Cathedral Library, which they are hoping to revamp over the coming year. What a fantastic end to what was a wonderful evening!

Congratulations to all my fellow new Blue Badge Guides! We did it!!

Radical Bloomsbury Exhibition at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery

Was meant to have a tour yesterday in Brighton, but it was cancelled at the last minute. The perils of being a Tourist Guide! However, it did leave me time not only to help the rest of the day with planning some of the Brighton Treasure Hunts for www.brightonwalks.com which was much fun, but also to go and see the new exhibition at the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery.

Well worth a visit to the Museum anyway, if you are in Brighton, as it is FREE entry, although you pay for special exhibitions.

The exhibition, Radical Bloomsbury, opened my eyes to the early work of Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell (who lived in Sussex) and you could easily see through their work how they were influenced by the Post-Impressionists of Europe, as well as developing their own individual style. There were a couple of films on show too, plus some of the work from the Omega Workshop in London.

Its lovely to be able to spend some time seeing exhibitions such as this, and I am looking forward to planning a visit to the new Turner Margate (see previous blog).

Do not forget that on Saturday, 7th May, Brighton Festival and Brighton Fringe Festival begins and continues for the rest of the month. Lots of art, music, literature, dance, and comedy amongst other things. Two great festivals that really give an extra buzz to eclectic Brighton!

New Logo

Easter, the Royal Wedding, and all those Bank Holidays, have now been and gone, but it's been difficult tracking what day of the week it is with all the upheaval, at least now back to routine!

Website is cracking on, and hopefully will be up and running next week, probably with much improvements to be made, but be good to have something up. This blog will be attached to it, so will be able to update too.

New news - logo is complete, please see below. Copyright of image to Discover South East England. Have ordered T-Shirt and Business Cards. Tours being planned and meetings to be had. All very exciting. More for you soon!