Lorna Matthews-Keel
Regional Qualification(s):
Southern England
Language(s):
English
Phone Number(s):
07880 917179, 01722 320928
Website:
Contact guide
Introduction:
Welcome to the historic area of Wiltshire, Dorset. Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and West Sussex! Within these counties there is a wealth of history, geology, cathedrals, cities, towns and villages all waiting to be discovered.
I am based in the Medieval City of Salisbury , in the county of Wiltshire. We are currently celebrating 800 years of being on this site. Previously the city was at Old Sarum, 2 miles up the road. I am delighted to be guiding in these historic counties. I am able to guide with visitors of all ages.
I am delighted to be able to offer transportation as I now have a new VW that enables me to take up to 6 visitors to wherever they wish to go within the area. I can provide a tour tailored to your requirements.
Salisbury is surrounded by many ancient, historic and fascinating places, including the UNESCO World Heritage site of Stonehenge, all easily accessible.
If you wish for a different experience in Salisbury, I am currently guiding in costume depicting a character from Salisburys past. These costume tours include some information on the person depicted and their place in Salisbury's past society.
I have also introduced bicycle tours of the city, if you wish to experience the city in a completely different way. The cycle route starts in the city and gently takes cyclists over to Harnham taking in the views that so entranced artist John Constable. A tour suitable for families as well as adult cyclists.
I have travelled extensively having lived and worked in Austria, Egypt and Chile. I know what it is like to try and find a reliable and entertaining guide.
The sites are plentiful here from the Iron-age hill-fort of Old Sarum, Neolithic Stonehenge, the royal hunting grounds of the New Forest, to the ancient Jurassic Coast and over the sea to the Isle of Wight.
But it may be you wish to walk around a beautifully set out garden, such as Hillier Gardens, or delight in a significant stately home, as in Blenheim Palace or Osborne House, home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
Maybe you wish to visit several sites and also walk in the New Forest.
All of this is available to you and I am able to make these tours informative, understandable and entertaining.
Do contact me and I will happily work with you to find out exactly what your needs are:
City/Town Walks:
Salisbury
Winchester
Southampton
Portsmouth
Dorchester
Chichester
Oxford
Romsey
Shaftesbury
Wilton
Sherborne
Country Walks:
The New Forest including Lyndhurst and Lymington
The Jurassic Coast including Lyme Regis
Any combination of town and country
Tours by car or coach:
Themed by history, for example where the Romans walked
Geology, the incredible Jurassic coastline; the Isle of Portland whose rich stone quarries provided material for St. Paul's Cathedral, and Chesil Beach with it's history for smuggling
Literature: Thomas Hardy Country, the incredible Wessex; Jane Austen; T E Lawrence; William Golding
Historical figures, Admiral Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, Mary Anning of Lyme Regis, King Alfred the Great who burnt the cakes!
Stately homes:
Wilton House and the Italianate Church
Heale House Gardens
Beaulieu Motor Museum and village, Buckler's Hard Ship Building and Museum
Blenheim Palace and Woodstock
Athelhampton House and Dorchester
Osborne House and the Isle of Wight
I am here to help you experience a holiday that will provide you with lasting memories.
Personal Interests:
| Ancient Britons including the sites of Old Sarum and Stonehenge |
| Museums: Salisbury, Southampton, Winchester, Dorchester, and the Russel Coates Museum, Bournemouth |
| Art Galleries: Salisbury Collection and Arundells House, Southampton Art Gallery and Museum and the Russel Coates in Bournemouth |
| Theatre and Literature including Thomas Hardy, Jane Austen and the museum in Chawton, T. E. Lawrence, Charles Dickens in Portsmouth, William Shakespeare, Salisbury Playhouse, Chesil Theatre in Winchester and the Mayflower in Southampton |
| Gardens in the area including Hillier Gardens, Mottisfont Abbey Gardens, Heale House Gardens, Stourhead Gardens, Savill Gardens in Windsor Great Park |
| Castles: Corfe Castle, Old Wardour, Windsor Castle, Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight |
| Stately Homes: Wilton House, Athelhampton House, Mottisfont Abbey and Gardens |
Special Interests:
| History & Prehistory | Sites such as Old Sarum, Stonehenge and the Jurassic Coast. Historical figures in the context of their geographical place and in their position in society |
| Architecture | Cathedrals of Salisbury, Winchester and Chichester. Houses in these cities. Stately Homes of the area including Wilton House, Athelhampton House, Kingston Lacy, Osborne House on the Isle of Wight |
| Art/Paintings & Sculpture | Southampton Art Gallery, Salisbury Museum's collection and Arundells, the art at Wilton House, the sculptural work of Elizabeth Frink in Winchester. Glass engraver, Lawrence Whistler and his artistic brother Rex Whistler |
| Theatre | The Theatres in Salisbury, Salisbury Playhouse, the Mayflower in Southampton, and the amateur theatres in the area including Salisbury, Codford, the Wharf in Devizes. |
Driver Guide:
No
