South West
English
07739 667543, 01985 840049
Hello, I'm Ian Newman. I live in the beautiful Wylye Valley on the western edge of Salisbury Plain, where the counties of Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset meet - near Stonehenge and a short distance from the historic cities of Salisbury and Bath. I grew up next to the Tamar estuary (the natural border between Cornwall and Devon) on the edge of the maritime city of Plymouth. My previous employment has included deep sea fishing, the military and medicine.
I am, primarily, a Driver Guide and operate two luxury vehicles.
Growing up among the ancient monuments of the south west and now living so near to Stonehenge and Wiltshire’s multitude of ancient monuments has stimulated my enthusiasm for prehistory. I regularly attend courses, lectures and seminars by some of Britain’s most eminent archaeologists and historians. With Stonehenge on my doorstep, I do a lot of guiding there (and at many of the other ancient sites locally) and I love the place. 'Lockdown' gave me the opportunity to attend some excellent courses on the Prehistory of Southern England and another on the 'Celts'.
With family ties in Cornwall, Plymouth, Bath, North Somerset, Bristol, Dorset and the Cotswolds it's fair to say that I have a very strong sense of belonging to the South West of England. I like nothing better than to share my love of (and insights into) the area, its traditions and its people.
I have been organising walking tours in the South West for 30 years and have walked the South West Coast Path (all six hundred odd miles of it) five times. My special areas of interest include landscape, ecology, folklore, prehistory, history (ancient,Dark Age, Medieval and Early Modern), military and maritime history (the Plymouth influence), architecture, fine dining and local produce (in the South West we are 'spoiled for choice'). I am also very interested in family history and ancestry.
I am accredited to guide in Windsor Castle and in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Eton.
I have an accreditation as a virtual tour presenter and regularly present online talks and experiences via Zoom and other platforms.
When I qualified for my Blue Badge I received two awards; 'best presentation of a religious building' and 'most entertaining and fun' presentations.
I live very close to Bath and Salisbury and love to show guests around these marvellous historic cities. Speaking of marvellous historic cities, I also enjoy taking visitors to Wells. I am very fortunate to live an equal distance from all three. Now which is my favourite city? That would be telling - let me show you all three and you can decide for yourself!
Salisbury and Wells allow me to indulge my enthusiasm for medieval cathedrals, with two of the finest examples in the land.
Although my speciality is organising and conducting driver-guided trips, I am equally comfortable guiding country walks, town and city walks, coach tours or themed tours. Our range of vehicles allow me to take you 'off the beaten track'.
Having operated walking and heritage tours in the South West for almost thirty years I am often approached by film companies to consult on (and provide visits to) potential locations for filming.
| Ecology |
| Myths, legends and folklore |
| walking and hiking |
| local crafts and industries |
| local food and drink |
| Industrial heritage |
| Agriculture |
| Religious buildings |
| Family history |
| sport |
| military history |
| Birds & Animals | Having grown up (and still living) in the heart of the countryside I have a lifelong interest in wildlife and a good depth of knowledge of it. Having a daughter with an ecology degree keeps me up to date too! |
| Folklore & Traditions | Having grown up in the South West, as have countless generations of my ancestors, I have been immersed in its folklore and traditions for as long as I can remember. |
| Walking Tours | Town and city walks around Bath, Salisbury, Wells, Glastonbury, Plymouth. Country walks: South West Coast Path, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Cotswolds, Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset. |
| Industrial Heritage | My family has been involved in deep mining for generations; both tin mining in Cornwall and coal mining in Somerset. I grew up in the shadow of Brunel's great railway bridge across the Tamar and have had a lifelong interest in his work both on the GWR and in Bristol. |
| Maritime Britain | Growing up in and around the port of Plymouth- with its traditions dating back to Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh, the Pilgrim Fathers - Maritime History and Heritage have always been a major interest. |
| Countryside | I live in the heart of the countryside. It's not just an interest, it's a way of life. |
| Military | I grew up in a Naval family and served for over ten years in the British Military. I am a member of a veterans' association. |
| Sports & Pastimes | As well as a fanatical interest in rugby and cricket (sports in which I participated), I have rowed competitively. I have a strong interest in soccer. I participate in fly fishing and mountain biking. I am a former high altitude mountaineer. |
| Food & Drink | For many years I have been locating the finest dining experiences for our guests. This has ranged from Michelin Star dining at some of the South West's finest establishments to those little known 'gems' which only local knowledge can find. |
| Churches & Cathedrals | Salisbury Cathedral and the Close, Wells Cathedral, Bristol Cathedral, Gloucester Cathedral, St Mary Redcliffe, Cotswold 'Wool Churches', |
| Agriculture | I live in a farming area and consider myself a countryman. As a teenager I worked on a moorland farm, helping with haymaking, milking and at lambing time. My understanding of farming helps bring the countryside to life for guests. |
| Media | As a driver-guide who also has three decades of experience operating walking and heritage tours I am ideally placed to suggest film locations. I have also hosted a number of journalist visits for DMO’s and Tourism organisations. |
Windsor & Eton, Virtual Tours
Yes
| Type | Make / Model | Passengers | Air Conditioning | Disabled Access |
| Car | Mercedes V250 Class | 6 | Yes | No |
| Car | Land Rover Defender | 3 | Yes | No |
Regional Qualifications: South East England, South West, London
Language(s): English, German