Become a Home Based Travel Agent

Shaking the Dust Off the History Books
By Paull Tickner

With the Easter holidays now here, I have been thinking about the many memorable travel experiences that can be customised for families you might be sending to Britain this summer.  For the past two or three years, the poor exchange rate has knocked on the head the idea of a UK tour.  Our shared economic woes continue to make this difficult but I suspect that the 25% improvement in the exchange rate may be putting us back on the agenda again.

London is always going to be a top priority and rather than use a hotel, why don’t you offer your clients their own front door by renting an apartment in Kensington with The Science Museum, The Natural History Museum and Harrods just around the corner. 

Suggest they begin their adventure by taking one of City Sightseeing’s open top bus tours. Then, with your knowledge of your customer’s particular interests, offer them some thematic ways of getting the best out of their time here.  Maritime London would include a cruise up and down the River Thames with two or three hours at the National Maritime Museum. Sporting London could include visits to the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, and for soccer fans, tours of the dressing rooms, the trophy collections and the ‘hallowed turf’ at Stamford Bridge (Chelsea) and the Emirates Stadium (Arsenal).  A day or two of Dramatic London can include backstage tours of the Royal Opera House, English National Ballet, Shakespeare’s Globe, The National Theatre and an actor-led tour of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

While we can develop some very interesting themes in London, we can also work some magic into time spent in the English countryside.

Spectacular Dover Castle
(copyright English Heritage)

How about a four day tour into Kent, aka castle country where we can blend together moated, 13^th century Hever and fairytale Leeds, with 2000 years of history at Dover Castle where you can relive the sights and sounds of World War II in the top secret tunnels that penetrate deep into the famous White Cliffs.  Just along the coast, a Saxon and a Norman warrior will tell you the story of the 1066 Battle of Hastings that changed the course of English history. Returning to London, take a close look at medieval Bodiam Castle and the breathtaking 15^th century castle at Herstmonceux.

If time is a concern, take my advice and let the train take the strain. Within next to no time, your clients could be in Portsmouth where the Historic Dockyard has just been chosen as one of the top days out for kids.  They offer six attractions for a one-price ticket that takes visitors through 800 years of naval history. There are imaginative trails around the site, a children’s audio guide in the Mary Rose, the chance to dress up, costumed interpreters, real artefacts to handle, guided tours aimed at families and some great interactive gadgets in Action Stations.

HMS Victory at the Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth

Another train ride to the west of London takes you to Bath where the Tourist Information Centre sells a visitor card with attraction, food, drinks and shopping discounts.  They’ll also give you a copy of the ‘Knees High Guide to days out in Bath’, listing family friendly restaurants, shops and attractions.  As the city is very busy at weekends, visiting Monday to Friday is a good tip.  Using the themed approach, use Bath as a base for a four night programme that takes in Prehistoric England at Avebury and Stonehenge, the myths and legends of King Arthur at Glastonbury, the Romans and the Georgians at The Roman Baths and the Jane Austen Centre respectively, and Harry Potter in the nearby village of Lacock.  If Mum’s feeling the pace, point her towards a two-hour session at the Thermae Bath Spa.  For Dad, a pint or two at the Old Green Tree or the Star should put him right!

Travelling on the East Coast Main Line from London to York is another great experience. The city also offers a very good value for money Visitor Card with benefits similar to those in Bath. At Jorvik, your time machine takes you through the sights, sounds and smells of the backyards and houses of York, 1000 years ago. At DIG, you can try your hand at archaeology and the National Railway Museum, the largest in the world has loads of hands on activities for kids.

In Stratford upon Avon, the Shakespeare Houses provide a memorable encounter with Elizabethan England in general, and The Bard in particular. At The Birthplace, they’ve just introduced a new exhibition that interweaves theatre with Shakespearian magic.  At Mary Arden’s House costumed guides describe the countryside traditions from Shakespeare’s time to the early 20^th century.  Make sure you stay to see the falconry displays that take place throughout the day.  If you can stay for a second day, dedicate most of it to a long and leisurely tour of majestic Warwick Castle.

The Birthplace, Where the Shakespeare Story Begins

Finally, if WWII is a popular theme, take a trail that goes to the university city of Cambridge and includes a few hours at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford and the American Cemetery and Memorial at Madingley.  The itinerary then moves to the town of Bedford, the ‘Spy Capital of Britain’.  During WWII, the area became the focal point for secret counter measures against the Nazis including black propaganda, the development of irregular weapons, code breaking, radio surveillance, and the training of secret agents.  A highpoint will be the interactive day at Bletchley Park where the Enigma Code was broken.

Throughout the year, historical re-enactments take place at regular intervals all over the country, especially during the summer months.  With careful timing, your clients will be able to see, smell, hear, and touch history as it unfolds before their very eyes.  Just tell them to bring their imaginations and we’ll do the rest.