Welcome to guided tours of Cumbria, the Lake District and Hadrian’s Wall with ‘Discover Lakeland’
Hello! My name is Anna Gray and I am an experienced Blue Badge Tour Guide offering friendly and informative guided tours of the Lake District, Hadrian’s Wall and all other areas of Cumbria.
On my guided tours, you will receive an in-depth understanding of the historical and cultural landscapes you visit, but delivered in such a way that the information is easy to digest and easy to remember.
It’s not what you look at that matters; it’s what you see!
Henry David Thoreau
Historic Carlisle walking tours restart in May
The popular Historic Carlisle walking tours are back for their 8th year, starting on Thursday 4 May at 1.30 pm. We have now added a second tour on Saturdays (10.30 am to 1.00 pm). Both tours will run between May and September.
The tour takes in Carlisle’s remarkable history from Roman times, through the Norman Conquest, English Civil War and Jacobite Rebellions to the present day.
If you want to find out more about this ancient city, please book your ticket through Carlisle Tourist Information Centre (info@discovercarlisle.gov.uk) or Eventbrite using this link:
We hope to see you soon!
Anna, Liz, Jonquil and Julie
VIRTUAL TOURS ALONG HADRIAN’S WALL
If you are planning to walk Hadrian’s Wall and would like some information on what to look out for, you might find these recordings of my virtual walk along Hadrian’s Wall of interest. I have completed 4 sections so far, all of which cover the Wall in some detail. If you would like to receive the recordings, please book using the following links and I will send the chosen recording/s by WeTransfer:
Section 1. Bowness-on-Solway to Carlisle – https://www.trybooking.co.uk/CHJX
Section 2. Carlisle to Banks Turret: – https://www.trybooking.co.uk/CHKB
Section 3. Banks Turret to Gilsland – https://www.trybooking.co.uk/CIEH
Section 4. Gilsland to Cawfields – https://www.trybooking.co.uk/CIEI
What makes a good guided tour?
Good preparation is essential to ensuring my guests receive the best possible experience. Once I know more about your interests, the time you have available and your levels of fitness, I can then develop an itinerary and a guided tour that is tailor-made for you.
Learning should be fun and that is what I want you to experience during our guided tour. By gradually building up your understanding of the history, heritage and breathtaking landscapes of Hadrian’s Wall or the Lake District (both World Heritage Sites), you will feel enriched with positive memories that you can share with others.
You are not joining a group or having a set tour that is repeated on a daily or weekly basis. This is your tour, and by listening to and understanding your requirements, I can develop the optimum tour that works for you.
Anna is a Blue Badge Tourist Guide of the highest level. She specializes in Cumbria and Hadrian’s Wall. Her focus is on private customized tours for her guests. She is exceedingly organized, provided a detailed itinerary and then we spoke for 45 minutes on our likes and dislikes and how to get the most from our day as it was our first time at Hadrian’s Wall. She then compiled an updated itinerary.
We spent a fabulous day on the wall. It was informative and she is exceedingly knowledgeable. To be honest, we never would have gotten as much out of our trip without her assistance and it was worth every penny.
I could not recommend Anna more highly. You will not be disappointed.
Harris Kaplan, posted on Tripadvisor in July 2021
As someone who enjoys planning trips, Anna is a joy to work with. She’s very good at pacing a trip and she is by far the best prepared guide I’ve ever known. She’s very knowledgeable about all the places she’ll take you to and matches the level of detail to what her clients want.
Bill Beal, White Nights Northern Lights Travel Agency, North Carolina, US
Why hire a guide?
There are many benefits to hiring a guide.
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Unless your tour is organised through a third party, I will be your main contact throughout the planning process.
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You will receive a high level of understanding, delivered in a friendly and personable way.
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You can benefit from my local knowledge on accommodation and transport options, and the most scenic and interesting routes to take.
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You can rest assured that your tour will have been carefully planned from the outset so that everything falls into place as it should.
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At all stages, I will advise you on what is realistic and practical to include during the time you have available – yet be flexible to your needs on the day.
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I am a fully trained Blue Badge Guide, registered with the Institute of Tourist Guiding. I am a member of the British Guild of Tourist Guides and Cumbria Tourist Guides.
I can help in all sorts of ways:
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Create personalised itineraries and guided tours of Cumbria to suit your particular interests.
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Plan routes to enable you to maximise your time in Cumbria, the Lake District and Hadrian’s Wall.
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Provide informative and entertaining commentaries during all stages of the guided tour.
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Accompany you on coach/minibus tours, in chauffeur-driven cars, on public transport, by bicycle or on foot – whatever mode of transport suits you best!
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If you require a chauffeur-driven service, I can recommend Chauffeur Tour Scotland and Lakeside Travel Services for the ultimate in luxury cars driven by friendly and experienced drivers.
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