Dawn Blee
Regional Qualification(s):
South East England, London
Language(s):
English
Phone Number(s):
+44 (0)77905 97020
Website:
Contact guide
Introduction:
I provide customised tours in London & South East England exploring the highlights & the hidden gems to give you a real feel for England past & present. From the Tower of London to London's newest icon The Shard, there is so much history about kings, queens & ordinary people who shaped the country & the world condensed into such a small area.
It's the social history that is so exciting; how others lived, historical gossip & the contrast with today’s lifestyle-all delivered in an entertaining & informative style.
My favourites are English Royalty - especially the lives & times of King Henry VIII & Anne Boleyn; the wonderful castles, palaces & iconic sights of London that provide the background to make the capital what it is today.
There are good transport links out of London, Kent has many more castles & cathedrals (some are UNESCO World Heritage Sites) to explore, plus as a keen gardener, I love to guide the glorious gardens of the South East.
Personal Interests:
| Great Garden tours |
| London highlights |
| Tudor monarchs |
| Social history of England |
| English Landscape Gardens |
| The Pilgrims route to Canterbury |
| Personal Heritage - tracing family tree locations |
| Literary tours |
| UNESCO World Heritage sites |
| Hastings, Battle & Rye |
Special Interests:
| Food & Drink | The Garden of England's food & culture are interwoven, absorb one whist sampling the other! We tour the award winning vineyards & breweries; meet regional artisans & their foods - perhaps have a go at making some yourself! |
| Walking Tours | The best way to discover any town or city. Walk a Talk with me through London, viewing the iconic sights and following literary or historical tracks on and off the main tourist trail. Walks also offered in Canterbury, Rye, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Brighton, Windsor & many others. |
| Churches & Cathedrals | From ancient Canterbury Cathedral, Westminster Abbey & St Paul's Cathedral all UNESCO world heritage sites through to modern Guildford Cathedral & tiny parish churches, all with their own stories to tell - all are inspiring in very different ways. |
| Gardens | As a keen gardener I love to guide England's glorious gardens from small cottage gardens to grandiose formal gardens designed to impress. Many world famous gardeners have honed their skills in the Garden of England; their legacy is for all to enjoy. Your green fingers will be itching to try out new ideas inspired by these beautiful displays. |
| Royalty | I specialise in the lives of King Henry VIII and his wives, particularly his intriguing relationship with Anne Boleyn. It goes without saying that the lives and homes of the current Royal family are of great interest. |
| Castles & Palaces | From Windsor Castle in the west to Dover Castle in the east; trace the path of royalty through the centuries. Hampton Court Palace, Hever Castle and Penshurst Place are all easily accessible from London. |
| Stately Homes & Country Houses | Every aristocrat had their town house in London & their country seat in the Shires. Kent has more stately homes & castles than any other county,all within easy reach of London. Come & live the Grand Life for a day! Contrast these with the characterful cottages of Kent or the Cotswolds. |
| Regional Tours | Private touring is ideal way to explore the countryside and see the region's culture; cathedrals, castles, coastline & countryside; so many contrasts in just one region; from the White Cliffs of Dover to exciting and historic London. |
| Literature | From Charles Dickens & Ian Fleming via HG Wells & Virginia Woolf to Winnie the Pooh and many others, the region has a vivid literary heritage just waiting to be explored. |
Endorsements:
2012 Venues, Canterbury Cathedral
Additional Qualifications:
ITG Tourist Guide of the Year
BSc Hospitality Mana
Driver Guide:
No
