My special subject at University was Medieval Book. I am enthralled by the artwork in illuminated manuscripts, the statues and stained glass windows in churches and cathedrals. Beyond Medieval art I also love the romance of the pre-Raphaelites and the Arts and Crafts movement.

I am an experienced History and English teacher with a BA in History and Italian and MSc from Oxford University in Learning and Teaching. There is nothing more memorable hearing the stories of the past where it actually happened. Both Plymouth and Oxford are great cities to explore history.
Oxford is an ideal location to bring literature for young people to life. Tours open up the worlds created by authors such as JK Rowling (Harry Potter), Lewis Carroll (Alice in Wonderland), CS Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia), JRR Tolkien (The Hobbit) and Phillip Pullman (His Dark Materials). Learning and reading are intertwined; at the heart of equitable educations are our libraries and Oxford has the best - The Bodleian Library.

England has a complex and intriguing religious history. There are many churches and a cathedral in Oxford; these buildings tell the story of this fascinating and often tumultuous past, in art and architecture. I am accredited to guide in Christ Church, one of Oxford's 39 colleges, and the site of Oxford's cathedral. I am also fascinated by religious movements and events that shaped the theological landscape of England and beyond; including the English Reformation, the story of the Mayflower and the rise of Methodism (The Holy Club founded by John Wesley - Christ Church 1720, Fellow of Lincoln College 1726- and his brother Charles) from its roots at Oxford University to the industrial heartland of Cornwall.

From childhood, I was captivated by the extraordinary worlds of Alice in Wonderland, Narnia, and Middle‑earth—the whimsical logic of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the magic of C. S. Lewis’s Narnia, and the epic landscapes of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. These stories sparked a lifelong love of literature and poetry, and they continue to inspire the way I explore and interpret place.
Today, my poetry and literature tours celebrate the rich creative heritage of Oxford, Plymouth, and the South West, drawing on the lives and works of writers including Lewis Carroll, C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Philip Pullman, Agatha Christie, Daphne du Maurier, Evelyn Waugh, John Betjeman, Arthur Conan Doyle, John le Carré, Dorothy L. Sayers, Matthew Arnold, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Thomas Hardy, Jane Austen, and many more.
I have a particular passion for crime fiction and the captivating world of English detective stories—on the page and on screen. My tours explore the iconic characters and settings created by:

Agatha Christie: Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot, Tommy & Tuppence
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: Sherlock Holmes
Dorothy L. Sayers: Lord Peter Wimsey
Colin Dexter: Inspector Morse, Lewis, and the prequel series Endeavour

These stories shape how we imagine mystery, deduction, and character—and Oxford in particular offers a rich backdrop for exploring their influence.
Whether you’re drawn to fantasy worlds, literary classics, or detective mysteries, my tours offer an engaging and immersive way to experience the landscapes and inspirations behind these unforgettable tales.

Walking Tours: Story, Landscape, and Imagination
My walking tours are shaped by the themes that inspire my work as a historian and storyteller, and by a deep love of landscape as well as place. Whether we are exploring the lanes of Oxford, the historic streets of Plymouth, the open expanses of Dartmoor, or the dramatic cliffs of the South West Coast Path, I weave together the stories of people, place, and imagination to create experiences that are rich, engaging, and memorable.
In the South West, walking is often the key to understanding the land. I guide along:

Dartmoor, where prehistoric landscapes, medieval farming, and Victorian exploration meet myth, folklore, and literature
The South West Coast Path, with its constantly shifting views shaped by trade, defence, shipwreck, smuggling, and seafaring life
Lesser‑known rural and coastal walks in Devon and Cornwall, revealing hidden valleys, historic routes, and overlooked stories far from the crowds

These walks combine gentle physical exploration with layered narrative, offering time to look closely, ask questions, and absorb the atmosphere of each place.

Themes I Love to Explore
My walking tours often draw on one or more of the following themes, tailored to your interests and location:

Art & Architecture – from medieval craftsmanship and Gothic scholarship to modern design.
Books, Libraries & Learning – shaped by my university studies on the Medieval Book and the long history of scholarship and reading.
Warfare Through the Ages – tracing conflict and defence from the Norman Conquest through to the Cold War.
Literature & Fantasy Worlds – celebrating writers connected to Oxford, Plymouth, and the South West, including
Lewis Carroll, C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Philip Pullman, Agatha Christie, Daphne du Maurier, Evelyn Waugh, John Betjeman, Arthur Conan Doyle, and John le Carré.
Expect explorations of Alice in Wonderland, Narnia, Middle‑earth, The Hobbit, and The Lord of the Rings.
English Detective Stories – on page and screen:
Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot, Tommy & Tuppence, Sherlock Holmes, Lord Peter Wimsey, and Oxford’s own Inspector Morse, Lewis, and Endeavour.
Crime, Punishment & Policing Through Time – from medieval justice and public punishment to the modern criminal justice system.
Explorers, Adventurers, Smugglers & Pirates – revealing the daring, dangerous, and often surprising realities of Britain’s maritime past.