Introduction:

Hello!
Welcome to my page
I'm Alexandra (aka Alexatourguide).
an heritage specialist and experienced tourist guide.

As a member of Cumbria Guides, Manchester Guides and Bridgewater Guide groups, I love to welcome visitors to the fabulous NW of England and show them the historical features and cultural delights.
My tours are bespoke and are created for you and what you would like to see and do.
As an RIBA Architectural Guide, I love to do cultural heritage tours in the NW and beyond as a tour manager. Also I give talks, lecture and I am a current RIBA Judge for their annual architectural awards.

Interested in buildings history eg castles, church pilgrimages, monasteries, stately homes, cathedrals, archaeological sites, historic gardens & landscapes and industrial archaeology).
AND also i have a passion for other historical topics relating to women's history, classical music, literature, art, horticulture, all gardens, industry and the industrial revolution, local political history and WW history. I have recently specialised in a series of literary tours including Jane Austen, The Brontes, Shakespeare, Elizabeth Gaskell, Beatrix Potter and the Lakes Poets amongst others.

I am qualified to guide at Windsor Castle, Eton and the Great Park and l lecture on architectural history and heritage at several major universities.

I'm punctual, professional, informed and, I'm told, fun and interesting too. I love both the rural and urban landscapes and I am passionate about showing you the highlights and less obvious sites of interest. I try to bring history to life by storytelling with fun facts about places, people and events in history.

As a tour manager, I work with major travel companies managing coach groups across the British Isles and Europe. If needed I provide a top end meet and greet service at local airports and stations with or without guided visits enroute to the north-south & east-west.

I am also a specialist and have guided groups on music tours (choirs and orchestras)and school trips.

My undergraduate studies and experience in environmental sciences makes me suitably knowledgeable for school and college trip managememt also.
As a mum to two teenagers I am fully versant with young people's interests.

I am endorsed by the Guild to offer Virtual Tours and talks

KEEP UP WITH MY NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
TESTIMONIALS & BLOGS

BLOGS

Divine Light - British Guild of Tourist Guides https://share.google/jc6Gqou8w57bMUKOX

The English Lake District – A Perfect Republic of Shepherds - British Guild of Tourist Guides https://share.google/cRt0frrUJTQMBmwqd

Happy Birthday, Hadrian! - British Guild of Tourist Guides https://share.google/rEjGH136Xkpjf9Xvw
The loveliest garden that man hath ever made? - British Guild of Tourist Guides https://share.google/73lQdGAYzQBbuGBqy

RHS Bridgewater and Worsley - British Guild of Tourist Guides https://share.google/brru4LuLAkRNsKURx

The Poppies Blow - British Guild of Tourist Guides https://share.google/iEGK2dHm37OaEX8Kw

May 2025
Andrew kindly complimented my tour

"Just wanted to thank you for your wonderful tour on Tuesday. It was exactly as I had hoped. There is so much to see in Manchester and so much history to learn about. My friends had a great time and all want to come back".

August 2024
"Alexandra (Alexa) came to Arnside, Cumbria to speak to our walking group. A party of 39 from Dorset who are predominately in their 70's and 80's. Her talk with time for questions lasted 90 minutes and was titled ' Welcome to the Lakes'
We found it not only interesting but entertaining. We learnt a variety of little known facts with accompanying slides. She honed into our itinerary for the week giving us focus on places we had already seen or about to see. A definite must for travellers to a new county".

https://linktr.ee/Alexatourguide?utm_source=linktree_profile_share My tour guests have stated:
*****
“I went on the tour of Worsley and the Bridgewater Canal at the beginning of October. Alexandra, our tour guide, was brilliant and I learnt so much about the area and its industrial and architectural heritage. The tour finished with tea and cake at St Mark's Church, which is a real architectural treat. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in the history of Salford and Greater Manchester”. Cat Fen, Cheshire
“Great tour, led by a very friendly and knowledgeable guide (Alexa). Lots of interesting info about the history and architecture as well as present day Manchester. Would definitely recommend!!” Judy, Manchester

*****
“Had a very enjoyable and Informative tour around Manchester led by Alexa. Learnt a great deal and would definitely recommend this tour. The guide had a passion for the City and great knowledge. We will certainly be booking another one soon” Paul Manchester.
“Just had the most wonderful day with a group of friends, discovering Manchester and Salford. Alexandra was our guide and was just fabulous. Extremely knowledgeable, interesting and just so enthusiastic! We will be booking again very soon. Highly recommend”. Elaine, Manchester

May 2022 *****
Alexandra (Alexa) Fairclough met our touring group of 22 Texans at the lovely Clayton Hotel and gave us a 5-hr fact-filled tour of several of the historic areas of downtown Manchester. We all kept thinking "This is the end", but then she'd say, "Now we'lll head over to......". She clearly absolutely loves her city and was thrilled to share her excitement with us. She told us that she also gives architectural tours and is a Qualified Blue Badge Tourist Guide. I would rate this tour: Splendid!! Alexatours@outlook.com

July 2022
Just a note to say how much we enjoyed the tour yesterday.
Thank you so much for guiding us around Worsley and giving us so much information on the history of the canal and the connections to the Bridgewater/Ellesmere families. St Mark’s Church and the cake and biscuits was the perfect end to the tour.
We look forward to booking more tours with you.