Iles Tours

31/12/2024

Happy New Year one and all.

I hope you have a happy, healthy and safe 2025 and I look forward to meeting so many of you then!

Alex

26/12/2024

As we sit between Christmas and New Year, I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been on a tour with me this year, those who I have worked with and my skilled freelance guides who work with Iles Tours to bring historical fun and magic to so many people!

Here's to a safe and successful 2025!

24/12/2024

It's Christmas Eve and, as so many of us will be, I won't be online much tomorrow at all.

So I wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

I hope you have an amazing time off with your friends and family and I look forward to meeting many of you in the New Year!

19/12/2024

At this time of year I love getting out and about in the glorious North East to explore all the Christmas goings on...

I have a long list of brilliant places to visit but I have a soft spot for the Christmas Markets at Grey's monument in Newcastle.

Last year I lead tours up Grey's Monument during the markets and it was amazing to be able to look over the city in the winter light while enjoying the Christmas smells of hot chocolate, trees for sale and spices from the stalls as well as the happy sounds of people below!

Where is your favourite place to visit at Christmas?

17/12/2024

What does Christmas mean to you?

For me, it's a time for some downtime with my family. I'll be spending Christmas with some extended family to the south, but will be missing the North East while I'm away.

Let me know, in the comments, what Christmas means to you...

12/12/2024

I've shared some of my YouTube videos recently and have received some great feedback as a result.

So, as it's nearly Christmas, I wanted to share a whole series of festive-themed videos I've created so you can learn about the Christmas period throughout history to your heart's content! In the series, I cover Roman Christmases, Anglo Saxon traditions, Medieval Christmases and how the Victorian's celebrated too.

Comment or DM me and I'll send the link to the whole series!

10/12/2024

Have you ever wondered how the Romans spent Christmas?

It's something that I think about a lot at this time of year - so much so, that I've produced a couple of videos on this very subject!

If you'd be interested in finding out about A Roman Christmas, comment or DM and I'll send you the links to my videos

06/12/2024

Have you thought about taking your team out for a day of discovering their region?

I work with companies around the North East to provide teambuilding or days out of the office to inspire and provoke conversations. And we're so lucky to have so many amazing locations that do just that!

Get in contact and let's discuss your teambuilding activities for 2025!

28/11/2024

It's Thanksgiving over the pond.

I'm incredibly lucky to have loads of amazing customers from the US so I thought I'd take this opportunity to wish them the best time with their friends and family and to let them know I'm looking forward to seeing returning customers and new ones in 2025!

Happy Thanksgiving!

26/11/2024

Who doesn't love fantastic food and surrounding steeped in history?

One of my absolute favourite stops on the Anglo-Saxon Northumberland tour is Ad Gefrin. Not only is it rich in history, but it’s also home to an incredible bar and bistro that never fails to impress. The food here is always fantastic, and the atmosphere captures the heart of Northumbrian hospitality - perfect for a well-earned break during a day of exploring!

Whether we're there to enjoy their locally inspired dishes or just soak up the warmth of the place, Ad Gefrin is a stop my guests always rave about.

Fancy joining my tour? DM or comment SAXON and I'll send you the link you need to book!

19/11/2024

There are a number of ways to work with Iles Tours.

1 - I offer incredible history tours, exploring all the amazing locations we're lucky enough to have here in the North East, and the stories attached to the people in their history.
2 - School trips - I love visiting schools and delivering lessons and workshops that fall in line with history and geography curriculums, teaching children about the incredible history of the region and how our modern-day living came about.
3 - Corporate events - our walks and tours have been part of some incredible corporate bookings in recent years. Whether you're looking for something different for a staff team-building days, client entertaining or event breakout sessions, I'll work with you to create a brilliant and memorable event.
4 - Heritage training - I offer several packages for heritage sites and institutions to enhance your offer to the public. I provide workshops and projects covering history, heritage, archaeology and tourism skills.

Get in touch to talk about how we could work together and bring history to life for your people.

14/11/2024

The quality of the experience here at Iles Tours is incredibly important to me...

Top of my priority list is that the tours bring the incredible stories of our region to life.

That's why I work hard to gather all the history and archaeological information about the North East of England, before presenting it in an enjoyable and inspiring way, while also providing the best experience for my customers.

I put a lot of hard work into finding the best locations to visit, sourcing the most delicious food and drink for my customers to enjoy, and ensuring the whole experience is a pleasant and positive one by collecting and dropping off at the start and end of every tour.

If all that meets your standards for a good day out, why not book your trip with Iles Tours?

Visit my website to book!

https://ilestours.co.uk/tours/

12/11/2024

Do you love all things history and the North East?

My newsletter is perfect for you - little packages of historical goodness delivered straight to your inbox twice per month. Subscribe and you'll be the first to know about new tours, special offers and some behind the scenes goings on!

If you'd like to subscribe, DM the word EMAIL and I'll send you the link you need to do so.

Thank you!

07/11/2024

Let's talk archaeology...

Last month I did two different types of Archaeological work. The first was a community archaeology project in Carlisle where a very large Roman building - possibly even imperial in nature - is being excavated.

I spent two days digging alongside other archaeologists, as well as helping out with the community engagement for school groups. That included providing a school workshop explaining the lives of Roman soldiers on Hadrian's Wall!

The second has been recording historic buildings ahead of work being done on them. Working as a freelancer I helped with recording the Keelman Hospital in Newcastle - an amazing building created to provide social care for the Keelmen who were responsible for carrying the coal along the Tyne.

Both of these experiences were amazing and truly enjoyable - I'm honoured to be working on such important projects as part of the history of the North East!

05/11/2024

Bonfire Night: The Percy connection!

Everyone knows Guy Fawkes, but have you heard of Thomas Percy? A Northumberland native, Percy was one of the key figures in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. A second cousin once removed of the 9th Earl of Northumberland and the Constable of Alnwick Castle, Percy’s involvement in the infamous attempt to blow up Parliament brought suspicion upon the entire Percy family.

A local lad who got caught up in one of the most notorious plots in British history - Thomas Percy reminds us that Bonfire Night isn’t just about Guy Fawkes. It's a story of discontent, rebellion, and the lengths people would go for their beliefs.

Do you think Thomas Percy was a misguided patriot, or just in too deep? Let me know in the comments!

31/10/2024

Want to discover more of the weird stories of the North East at this time of year?

And while I don't do ghost tours, I have recently been working with Tony Liddell who has a podcast focusing on the paranormal history of the North East of England - the perfect listen for Halloween!

Have a listen here 👉🏻https://theboggartwood.uk/

Within the Boggart Wood is a slow meander through the north of England and the Scottish Borders (with forays further afield), collating the regions’ wealth of folklore, ghostlore, superstitions, local history and archaeology.

29/10/2024

If you're joining me on one of our tours, here's a quick guide on what to bring along:

Warm clothing layers: The North East isn't as wet as the Lakes or Scotland, but it's always windy! So, pack some layers to stay comfortable throughout the day.

Good walking shoes: Trust me on this one - comfortable footwear is a must. While high heels might look fabulous, they're not ideal for exploring (believe it or not, I once had a guest tackle Hadrian's Wall in high heels - not advisable!).

Cameras: You'll want to capture the stunning landscapes and historic sites we'll be visiting.

Snacks: Keep your energy up as we explore into the rich history of the region.

And that's it! Bring yourself and a readiness to hear all about the history and people of this fabulous region.

I'm looking forward to exploring with you! If you have any questions about what to bring, feel free to drop them below.

24/10/2024

Ever wondered what goes into structuring and designing the perfect tour? Here's a little insight into how I prepare for each and every Iles Tour.

Counting heads: First things first, I check the number of passengers - making sure everyone is accounted for and has a space on the tour.

Tickets ready: I sort out all the entry passes to our amazing sites, so you can skip the queues and dive straight into the stories.

Personal touches: I go over any additional information or special requests - whether you're into Roman roads or medieval castles, I tailor the tour just for you.

Smooth pick-ups: I scout out collection locations to organise seamless pick-ups - no one likes waiting around!

Route planning: I refresh myself on any route changes or those tricky tide times (Lindisfarne, I'm looking at you!) to keep our tour flowing effortlessly.

Lunch bookings: For larger groups, I book us a lovely spot for lunch - exploring history sure works up an appetite!

Your experience matters: All this prep is to ensure you have the best experience possible. I can't wait to share the adventure with you!

Follow me for more history fun and I look forward to exploring with you soon!