Norma Sweeney

Regional Qualification(s):

Heart of England

Language(s):

English

Phone Number(s):

01865-321943, 07791-018614, 01789-750637

Contact guide

Introduction:

With a friendly, informal style of guiding, I enjoy sharing my lifelong love of the English countryside, our region's history and heritage. Stratford, Birmingham, Oxford, the Malverns and the Cotswolds are on my doorstep so I can provide that extra special information or local knowledge to help make your visit successful. If you want a garden tour, ask me!

Personal Interests:

Shakespeare/Stratford
Gardens & Garden History
Oxford & Cotswolds
Regional Food & Drink

Special Interests:

Gardens

I have a lifelong passion for gardening and gardens, and there are some beauties hidden away deep in the villages and towns which I�d love to show you, as well as the big league ones like Hidcote and Kiftsgate.

Food & Drink

The growth of interest in green issues and the quality of our food is reflected in the expansion of farmers� markets and specialist growers, with vineyards, cheesemakers and organic farming burgeoning in the area. What about a foodie tour?

Conferences & Incentives

My background in events organisation within the tourism industry gives me an edge for helping you with planning conferences, familiarisation visits, events programmes.

Countryside

With a village upbringing and a lifelong love of birds and wild flowers, I�d be delighted to share a country walk or tour with you. We have plenty of countryside here, even in the middle of England.

Churches & Cathedrals

Tiny Cotswold jewels as well as city masterpieces such as Worcester and Gloucester, plus of course Oxford, full of art, history and music, will give you an insight into the spiritual heart of our region.

Decorative Arts/Arts & Crafts

The Arts and Crafts traditions are deeply rooted in our area, from the Guild at Chipping Campden to the manufacturing skills and heritage still to be found in unexpected sites around Birmingham and Ironbridge. William Morris loved this area and his influ

Castles & Palaces

From the magnificent Warwick Castle to the equally splendid Blenheim Palace with some less well known gems in between, let me help you find out about their histories and the lives of their people.

Shopping

Selfridges to sausages, Harvey Nicks to antique pics, we have them all here and I�d love to help you find them.

Stately Homes & Country Houses

We have a real concentration of these in the region, National Trust and English Heritage and also some privately-owned, and I�d be pleased to give you an insight into their place in our nation�s history - the Gunpowder Plot, the Civil War, Queen Elizabet

Art/Paintings & Sculpture

The large city museums in Birmingham, Coventry, Oxford or country-house galleries like Compton Verney or Upton House, I�d be very happy to show you the rich variety in our region including the little tucked-away ones which are harder to find.

Additional Qualifications:

BA Hons (joint French & Eng) MITG

Driver Guide:

No