What is it?
A guided tour is the practice of an individual leading a group of people around a point of interest and giving them information about it, which can cover topics such as religious significance, cultural history and how it relates to other locations and events in history.
What does it involve?
Attending a guided tour basically just involves paying attention! All the work is done for you in finding out the facts and presenting them in an interesting manner; the role of the participant just calls for a level of interest in your surroundings and an eagerness to learn!
Why do it and what are the benefits?
Tour guides can be extremely educational - physically interacting with the place while learning about its history will provide a different kind of academic experience to the classroom by giving the students something more tangible to focus on.
What equipment do we need?
You shouldn't need any equipment for a guided tour, but check beforehand to make sure; some tours involve their participants even further by getting them to write down their own thoughts, or make drawings - so you may need to ensure students have something to write on!
Who is it suitable for?
Guided Tours are suitable for pretty much anybody if you pick the right one - smaller children will find it harder to focus on more complex subjects and will need more visual aids, but if they are engaged correctly they will have a great time! Likewise, teenage students will get bored if the subject isn't engaging enough, so make sure to choose the tour appropriate for the age and interests of the group.
Costs?
Around £20 or less per person, but it can vary greatly depending on the location of the tour - for example, a minibus tour around a park will cost more than a short walk around a country manor! Make sure to shop around to get an idea of the prices in your area.
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
A guided tour should be suitable for all ages, but students with condtions such has ADHD may have trouble focusing for an extended period of time - make sure to be aware of the specific needs of your group.
How do we include?
Many guided tours have disabled access for those with limited physical movement, but it would be wise to doublecheck beforehand. Those who are deaf and blind can also be included in guided tours but may need more specialist staff - again, you will need to check with the specific establishments.
Doing it abroad?
There are points of public interest all around the world, so wherever you can find something well known chances are there will be a guided tour available! Foreign tours may be conducted in another language though, so make sure to confirm the specifications of the tour before booking it.
Main website:
This website gives a good overview of places where you can go for a tour guide, but you're best looking at the specific areas around you to find out details!
York Museums Trust’s award-winning* museums and art gallery offer inspiring, interactive and hands-on learning opportunities that directly support the National Curriculum.
We welcome school groups to York Art Gallery, York Castle Museum and the Yorkshire Museum & Gardens and offer help and advice to parties who wish to visit.
Unlock your students imaginations with the trip of a lifetime, as only Topflight can do it.
Westminster Abbey is Britain's foremost religious building and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located next to the Houses of Parliament and a short distance away from Buckingham Palace, the Abbey has been the site of many coronations, royal weddings, state burials and services.
The Forest Centre is the headquarters of the Conservators of Ashdown Forest who are responsible for the management the Forest. It is the best starting point for finding out about the Forest, what you can see, and where you can go.
Education
We deliver quality foreign tours and skiing trips with a difference
Why travel with Select School Travel?
Both motorsports and aviation are celebrated at the Brooklands Museum.
20 miles south west of central London, with its famous banked corners Brooklands was at the centre of British motorsport before the Second World War. It was the world's first purpose built motor racing circuit.
Coventry has had three Cathedrals in the past 1,000 years: the 12th century Priory Church of St Mary, the medieval Parish Church Cathedral of St Michael and the modern Coventry Cathedral, also named for St Michael. Coventry’s fortunes and story are closely associated to the story of its Cathedrals - a story of death and rebirth.
Glamorgan Cricket can offer a very flexible package on non match days involving a combination of the following – a tour of the world’s 100th Test Match venue, with visits to the changing rooms, players area and Media Centre; a visit to the award-winning CC4 Museum of Welsh Cricket a chance to play on BATIO, their wii-based cricket simulation; an opportunity to link into curriculum-based learnin
French Brothers offer a variety of cruises on the River Thames from Windsor and Runnymede. The two most popular trips from Windsor are the 2 hour round trip and the 40 minute round trip, both are available daily.
Learn how one girl’s journey transformed the lives of millions: Interactive displays, videos, exhibits and activities bring her fascinating story to life from 1800 to the present day.
When you bring your school to the museum you can take part in one of our lively, informative and hands on sessions. All of our sessions are delivered by a member of our Education Team and allow all students to handle original museum artifacts.
From 2014 we will offer our World War One “Kitchener’s Boys” experience. The project forms part of Fort Amherst`s commemoration of the Great War and recognises the role played by Fort Amherst & the Great Lines in training many thousands of Royal Engineers prior to their dispatch to the Front Line throughout the War.
At Nene Park Trust, we believe that an opportunity to participate in outdoor educational activities will enhance the learning experience of all children.
From the Discovery Den, our education centre at Ferry Meadows, we offer a range of educational activities, designed by qualified teachers, to tie in with National Curriculum requirements at all levels.
The Assembly Rooms were at the heart of fashionable Georgian society, the perfect venue for entertainment. When completed in 1771, they were described as 'the most noble and elegant of any in the kingdom'.
The Fashion Museum (Bath & North East Somerset Council) is on the lower ground floor.
Durham Wildlife Trust wants to inspire and excite people of all ages in nature and the great outdoors.
We have been operating since 2007 and are currently a 60-acre traditional mixed working farm with beef cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry. A well as being a real working farm, we also have zoo status, recognising our commitment to the welfare and conservation of exotic species.
An award-winning attraction with plenty for everyone to see and do, including our huge indoor adventure play area ‘DINOMITE’, plenty of animal handling sessions, large outdoor play areas, the Secret Animal Garden and Deer Safari, as well as the Dinosaur Trail and Neanderthal Walk.
Welcome to Lyme Park. Nestling on the edge of the Peak District, Lyme Park was once home to the Legh family and, in its heyday a great sporting estate.
Discover the iconic open-air Globe Theatre in our annual April-October season combining Shakespeare classics, as they were meant to be seen, with plays by the most gifted new writers.
Alongside the Globe season, the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse candles shine all year round on a host of thrilling productions and music events from international and multitalented performers.
Somerset House is a major arts and cultural centre in the heart of London. During summer months 55 fountains dance in the courtyard, and in winter you can skate on London's favourite ice rink. Somerset House also programmes contemporary art and design exhibitions, free displays, family workshops and guided tours.
Now into our 25th year as a family run farm attraction, all the animals and staff at Court Farm are looking forward to welcoming hoards of children and their families for a fun packed summer of fun.
As the largest cruise operator on the River Thames, we offer a range of services dedicated to group organisers and tour operators.
Cruise along the beautiful River Dee with ChesterBoat; specialising in Sightseeing Cruises, Themed Cruises and Private Charters for all occasions.
Centre of the Cell is a science education centre based at Queen Mary, University of London. It is the first science education centre in the world to be located within working biomedical research laboratories.
Bring the new National Curriculum to life with a trip to Celtic Harmony Camp!
The new history curriculum for KS2 calls for the study of prehistory from Stone Age to Iron Age and a focus on local history in KS1.
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.