ABOUT US BY GARY CRUMP - FOUNDING PARTNER

The original idea for forming a business to offer intimate groups of tourists a chance to see the "Real Britain" came about as a result of my personal passion for our heritage, particularly our historic buildings (especially churches), associated history, and our countryside. As I became even more interested and picked up more information, I found I was beginning to point out items on tours which eventualy led to tour guides who knew me asking me if there was anything I wanted to add to what they were saying. This earnt me the nickname of "Gary Pevsner" (after Sir Nikolaus Pevsner, founding author of the great "Buildings of England" books), a name I definitely do not merit.

 

Again developing from this, I began pointing out interesting buildings and features whilst driving or walking through places to reach a specific building. It was very rewarding when people said they hadn't noticed such things as original brickwork, old fire insurance plaques, mounting blocks, etc, and then said they would look at our historic buildings in a new way.

 

It didn't take too long for friends to suggest that I consider developing my interest and natural enthusiasm into a possible living. From my experience on various tours, site visits to historic restoration projects, and attendance at related events, there appears to be many others who share my interests. In addition, much additional interest has been generated by T.V. programmes. As a result, I placed a letter/feature in the local press asking for like-minded people to contact me (people can still do this), and from that, I began talks with others to see where to take the idea.

 

After the publication of this article, it confirmed that there was more than sufficient interest to warrant the setting up of a specialist tourism Company to allow others to experience the "Real Britain".

 

DAY TOURS OFFERED BY UK HERITAGE DAYS

The type of tours/trips we are offering are not those to the well-known tourist hot-spots (of course we will arrange such visits if requested), but to those quiet, hidden gems of equal interest away from the bustling crowds, and only seen by those in the know. In other words, we want people to spend "quality time" not "queuing time" in Britain. We are taking bookings for Spring 2006 (21st March) onwards, and as we have had many positive enquiries for limited places, early contact with ourselves is advisable.

 

Basically the idea of our tours is to allow people to feel part of a small group of friends and not simply a number on a packed coach. This immediately takes away the strict regimented itinerary of the day - no need for concern about having to rush around trying not to miss anything important before the coach leaves to rush on to the next location. On our tours, you can spend as much reasonable time at each place (indeed you can tell us how long you would like at each place), and not worry about delaying others wishing to hurry on with their day.

 

TRANSPORT (COLLECTION AND RETURN)

The whole point of our day tours is to offer alternatives for those wishing to avoid places where coaches full of tourists congregate. To access still unspoilt places not available to those using large vehicles such as our precious country churches, chocolate box villages, etc. As we would primarily be using family cars, this would allow us to reach many places where coaches could not even attempt to reach, thus opening up a whole new world of little seen interest. Not only would this apply to the countryside, but also to our towns and cities (e.g. Selly Manor in Birmingham would become overloaded if coaches went there).

 

We would also offer to collect and return people to their home or hotel door at times to suit them, allowing them to have breakfast at their leisure and not be constantly looking at their watches. The days' itinerary could be quite flexible with the option to stay a little longer at one place within reason. We can also offer leisurely paced drives and/or strolls around the countryside or villages allowing you to possibly visit nearby places tantalisingly glimpsed during your day if time allows.

 

ANCESTRAL ROOTS

Another area we would like to offer help in is to those seeking out their family roots, especially overseas people. It could be expensive and time-consuming for these people to try to arrange visits to such places, if they could find an existing tour operator who offers this in the first instance. We could offer to compile an itinerary linking in several localised places with family connections for them (this would be particularly suited to our way of travelling as small country churches are usually involved) and take them there allowing plenty of time at each stop. Related to this, we could offer to provide photographs of family memorials, former homes and places of residence for those unable to travel.

 

SOUVENIR OF VISIT

In addition to these photographs we could afterwards provide personalised postcards with our visitors themselves in the picture as a unique souvenir of their visit. Also their visit could be permanently recorded in a series of pictures available to them on a DVD. As we would be offering tours to very small groups, we could provide out-of-season trips. Many places are happy to open throughout the year, and several places offer visits only to small groups.

 

WALKING TRIPS

As mentioned above, not only would motoring trips be offered, but also walking days too, with stop-offs at country pubs, tea shops, and only limited by how much people want from the day. Of course, part walking and part motoring days out could be arranged.