Richard Madden

Regional Qualification(s):

Southern England

Language(s):

English

Phone Number(s):

07736 358671, 01273 400078

Contact guide

Introduction:

Welcome to our beautiful island and all its many treasures!

I have been based in the south of England for most of my working life and it never ceases to amaze me how many and varied are the truly world-class sites right on our doorstep. Everything from our historic castles, palaces, cathedrals and cities to World Heritage sites like Stonehenge and Dorset's Jurassic Coast.

Before becoming a Blue Badge Guide, I was a travel writer, author and ghostwriter (TV Adventurer, Bear Grylls, not spooky stories!) and I still write regular features for the Daily Telegraph. ( http://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/r/richard-madden/).

My most recent book published by the National Trust is all about the many and varied delights of the British Isles and includes everything from Stonehenge and the Tower of London to eating Fish 'n Chips and Flying in a Spitfire! It's called 'The Great British Bucket List, Utterly Unmissable Britain' and you can read all about it here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/life/great-british-bucket-list20-places-pleasures-should-experience.

Do contact me at richmadworld@gmail.com and let me show you the wonders of Southern Britain!

Special Interests:

Regional Tours

Highlights of the South: Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Salisbury & Old Sarum, Oxford, Blenheim Palace, Southampton, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight, Jurassic Coast.

Literature

Visiting the places they knew and loved is the best way to discover what made famous authors tick. Jane Austen (2017 is the 200th anniversary of her death), Charles Dickens, John Keats, Edward Thomas and the Rev Gilbert White are among my favourites.

Castles & Palaces

Windsor Castle, Blenheim Palace, Highclere (Downton Abbey), Arundel and Corfe Castles.

History & Prehistory

An ancestor (Admiral Collingwood) was second-in-command at the Battle of Trafalgar. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is the home of HMS Victory & the Mary Rose while SeaCity Museum, Southampton tells the tragic story of the Titanic.

Walking Tours

Stonehenge/Durrington Walls. Cities: Oxford, Salisbury, Winchester, Southampton and Portsmouth.

Geography & Geology

Dorset's Jurassic Coast stretches 95 miles from Exmouth in Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset. Join me for a visit to the highlights incl Lyme Regis, Golden Cap and Charmouth.

Driver Guide:

No