Viewings from around the World - Update!

Just a quick update and a big hello to all my new blog, and hopefully website, friends! As per a previous blog, I seem to have lots of international readers and would like to once again thank you all. New countries this month include: Russia, Vietnam, Egypt, Romania, Switzerland, France, Belgium, India, Singapore, Thailand, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Ukraine, Kenya and Taiwan. Fantastic and welcome!

Please feel free to leave comments or ask any questions. I hope that you will all at some point be able to visit the beautiful South East of England and that I will get a chance to meet you and to guide you around.

Summer!

Goodness! Hasn't time flown, it is hard to believe we are almost at August. The schools here in the UK have been breaking up for the Summer Holidays, so soon people will be disappearing on their breaks abroad. However, us Guides are hoping that some people will also be staying in the UK to take their holidays - we have some great places to stay that are family friendly in the South East!

You could choose to go to one of our great beaches along the South Coast such as Camber Sands, or enjoy the seaside resorts of Brighton and Bognor Regis. For days away from the sea we have the Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventure or the Hop Farm near Paddock Wood to keep the children entertained. The South East also has a number of steam railways that run children's events throughout the summer - Tunbridge Wells has its very own SPA Railway, while at Sheffield Park in Sussex there is the first preserved standard guage railway line in the world, the Bluebell Railway.

Port Lympne Safari Park

If you thought that only Glastonbury was one of the big festivals of the UK, well, you'd be wrong. The South East has many festivals over the Summer, from Opera at Glyndebourne, to live bands playing at Guilfest in Guildford. So there is much to do for young and old alike. 

Guilfest - Guildford

Wherever you are based, your local Tourist Information Centre should be able to give you lots of advice and booklets about things to do; and don't forget to use your local Blue Badge Guides to help you to really get under the skin of where you are staying or visiting. A Guide really brings to life a place, more than a booklet ever will, and we know all the secret routes that you may never find yourself!!

Tuesday Tours in Tunbridge Wells!

Firstly I would like to say that the first rounds of my Oxfam Sunday Stroll around Tunbridge Wells yesterday went exceedingly well. Thank you to all who turned up for both the morning and afternoon sessions. Last two tours this coming Sunday, 10th July - 10.30 am and 1.30 pm. Allow around 2 hours as plenty to pack in and remember to bring some water with you whatever the weather! It's thirsty work with all the walking. For details of how to obtain your tickets - please see previous blog.

I must get round to putting on some photos - I had an interview in the local paper - the Kent and Sussex Courier - you can view this online too at:
http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/Catherine-says-town-offer-Pantiles/story-12825955-detail/story.html
Do please note that one of the tales I tell in the article about my time in the British Museum has a mistake in it - it was not the Rosetta Stone, but a lion near the stone, that I discovered a family taking a picture of their child riding the lion!! It's certainly interesting when you work with the public!

On to my new project currently starting tomorrow - yes I and two fellow Blue Badge Guides are going to be putting on, throughout July and August (possibly longer, but we will see later on), a Tuesday Tunbridge Wells Walking Tour starting at the Tourist Information Centre (TIC) on the Pantiles. We will be covering all about the Pantiles plus taking you up into areas Tourists don't always find on their visits.

The tour should last 1 hour and a half, and we hope to be able to include some extras in the near future that will be included in the price - watch this space!!


Anyway, the tours are at 11am and 2pm from the T.I.C on the Pantiles and cost £5.00 per person. The tours will either be led by myself or my colleagues Dawn or Amanda.

Come and discover the 17th Century Tunbridge Wells with Lord North, Beau Nash and your Blue Badge Tour Guide! We look forward to seeing you on Tuesdays.

For Group bookings, we can offer reduced rates - please contact me for further details: info@discoversoutheastengland.co.uk