Ian Baalham

Regional Qualification(s):

East of England

Language(s):

English

Phone Number(s):

01206-243463, 07740 090960

Contact guide

Introduction:

I am an enthusiastic and experienced tour guide with a passion for the countryside and coast of East Anglia, its historic towns and villages, landscape, folklore and traditions. I would love to share my passion for this region with your group on a coach tour or guided walk and entertain you with tales and stories from the area.

I qualified as a Blue Badge Guide in 1998 and hold endorsements for the London 2012 Venues, Windsor Castle and Eton. In 2010 I also qualified as a City of London Guide.

I have lived and worked in the area all my life and have thirty years experience in the leisure industry and in the care of historic parks and gardens. I am a qualified horticulturalist and Leisure Manager with significant event management and customer service experience and would love to meet your group for a tour of this wonderful area.

Personal Interests:

Airfields and Battlefields
Coast & Castles
Countryside & Gardens
Essex and Suffolk Villages
Colchester, Constable Country, Lavenham, Maldon and Sudbury

Special Interests:

Castles & Palaces

A guide at Colchester Castle, I also enjoy taking groups to other castles in the area and am qualified to guide at Windsor Castle too.

Countryside

Farming, trees and hedgerows and management of the countryside

Gardens

Thirty years experience in the care of historic parks and gardens, qualified horticulturalist and arborist

History & Prehistory

Specific interests in Romans,Tudor, Civil War and World War Two

Art/Paintings & Sculpture

Tours of Constable Country and also the Suffolk landscape and countryside that inspired other artists too, including Thomas Gainsborough and Sir Alfred Munnings

Military

The Mighty 8th! Tours of WWII airfields in the region and the story of the USAAF in East Anglia

Ghosts, Murders & Mysteries

Costumed theme tours of local towns including Colchester, Maldon and Sudbury

Lecture Subjects

Talks to groups on a variety of subjects including local history, historic parks and gardens, horrible history

Regional Tours

Tour Guide and Tour Manager services for coach tours in the region, Constable Country, Suffolk Coast, Essex & Suffolk Villages. Tailored to suit your group

Walking Tours

Colchester, Maldon, Lavenham, Dedham & Flatford, Nayland and Castle Hedingham. Also costumed and themed tours

Endorsements:

2012 Venues, Windsor & Eton

Driver Guide:

No