Here and There with Claire

07/01/2025

Come and explore the beautiful sunsets of East Kent, and much more, on a guided tour.

23/12/2024

The warmest wishes and season’s greetings from all of the South East England Tourist Guides Association Best wishes for 2025! Hope we see you here!!

22/12/2024

On this day (22nd December) in 1135, almost three weeks after the death of King Henry I, Stephen of Blois claimed the throne and was crowned King of England.
In this picture, he is seen holding an image of Faversham Abbey, the Cluniac monastery he founded in what is now my home town, and where he was buried after his death in 1154.

(Picture from Wikipedia, copyright-free)

30/11/2024

Today, 30th November, marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Winston Churchill. The revered Prime Minister during World War Two had a beloved home in Kent, Chartwell, which he moved into with his family 100 years ago this year. He once said, "a day away from Chartwell is a day wasted".
The house and gardens are cared for by the National Trust, and well worth a visit. They include his studio, where he spent much time painting.
To celebrate Churchill's 150th anniversary, there is currently a special tribute to his favourite drink, champagne. He famously stated, "I could not live without champagne. In victory I deserve it. In defeat I need it."

28/11/2024

It was lovely to gather with fellow South East Tourist Guides for the AGM and annual lunch at the Spa Hotel in Royal Tunbridge Wells yesterday.

This elegant hotel opened in 1880, taking its name from the spa waters in the town, which made it a fashionable health resort in the 17th century. The chalybeate spring was discovered in the Pantiles in 1606 and was said to cure a range of illnesses.

Yesterday's gathering allowed the South East's Best Guides to celebrate the successes of the past year, and look forward to the next one.

10/11/2024

On this Remembrance Sunday, we remember all those who died or were injured in the service of their country in wartime.
The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior has come to symbolise all those who died in conflicts whose bodies have not been identified.
The body of an unidentified serviceman who died in World War One was interred in Westminster Abbey on 11 November 1920. The coffin was transported from France to Dover and then on a special train through Kent to London.
The railway carriage used is known as the Cavell Carriage, after Edith Cavell the nurse who was shot for helping escaped prisoners in the First World War.
It is now on display at the Bodiam station at the Kent and East Sussex Railway. It is well worth a visit, one of many important historical connections that the South East England region has with our wartime and defensive history. Why not come and explore with an accredited Tourist Guide.

The Cavell Van The Cavell Van is the railwayman’s name for the prototype Passenger luggage Van built by the South Eastern and Chatham Railway at Ashford Works in 1919 as a one off 'pattern wagon' but was soon to be dubbed a 'Special Van. It was used for the repatriation of the bodies of two

08/11/2024

I've been really quiet on here lately! My plans at the start of the season, to post regularly with all sorts of interesting updates, went out of the window.... it just goes to show what a brilliant busy year it's been!
And suddenly we're well into November and I have finally got time to pause and reflect. I hope to post some more over the off-season so watch this space!

08/11/2024

Q: What can you expect when you hire an Institute-qualified Blue or Green Badge tourist guide?

A: A customer-focused and memorable experience that is regulated by a mandatory Code of Conduct and underpinned by professional training and Continuing Professional Development, ensuring high standards of guiding for our global visitors at all times.

26/05/2024

Really enjoyed taking my guests from Tilbury (London Cruise Terminal) to visit Leeds Castle today, in beautiful weather too. We were lucky to be there for the Medieval Jousting event which was a great spectacle. Love my Tourist Guide life!

14/05/2024

Check out my new blog post about Operation Fortitude South, a key part of the D Day preparations, as we approach the 80th anniversary - I hope it is interesting and perhaps something you didn't know before.

https://wix.to/RD0kPhA

Preparations are underway to mark the 80th anniversary next month of one of the most important events of World War Two, the Allied invasion of Normandy – an operation generally known as D-Day. 133,000 soldiers were landed in Nazi-occupied France in a move that would later liberate the whole countr...

10/05/2024

Beautiful Faversham, Market Town of Kings, in the glorious sunshine. So much history to discover in the streets, but it's also very much a thriving, bustling market town today.

06/05/2024

27/04/2024

The beautiful Walmer Castle and Gardens is a wonderful place to explore on a tour of East Kent. The official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, it is full of history and charm.
It can be incorporated into a travel itinerary with other coastal towns or picturesque countryside.
Guided tours can be arranged to suit particular interests, and private transport can be arranged too. Claire is a fully qualified, professional and friendly Blue Badge Tourist Guide and would be delighted to show you the sights of this fascinating region.
Visit the website via the About Us page to get in touch, or send us a message.

23/04/2024

Today is St George's Day, Patron Saint of England, and also the birthday of playwright William Shakespeare. But, did you know, the artist Joseph Mallord William (JMW) Turner was also born on this day in 1775?

Turner is regarded as one of the greatest British artists. He came to Margate often during his lifetime, since first attending school there. He famously declared that the "skies over Thanet are the loveliest in all Europe".

Today the Turner Contemporary (pictured) stands proudly on the seafront in Margate, on the site of the guesthouse where Turner stayed on his regular visits as an adult. He later became the longterm companion of his landlady Mrs Booth, whose shell sculpture statue stands looking lovingly out to sea at the end of the Harbour Arm.

JMW Turner features on the current £20 note, with the Turner Contemporary and the Margate lighthouse depicted alongside the artist.

Margate is now a vibrant, creative seaside town, home to contemporary artist Tracey Emin. There are quirky cafes, galleries and independent shops to explore, as well as a sandy beach and amusements.

Why not come and visit this buzzy town in East Kent to experience the sunsets and unique light that inspired Turner and many other artists?
Explore on a guided tour of the area - there's a lot to see.



Creativity Travel - Guided Tours England Fact or Fiction Tours

18/04/2024

On this World Heritage Day, here's the stunning Canterbury Cathedral, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the beautiful and historic city. Why not come and explore on a guided tour.