A peep behind the scenes of rural England in Kent with Canterbury

As well as being a local, I am a professional Blue Badge Tourist Guide, the highest professional qualification for tourist guiding in the UK. Based just 20 minutes from the White Cliffs of Dover, and the Cruise Terminal, and, equally, 20 minutes from the beautiful and historic cathedral city of Canterbury. My home is in a hamlet just outside Sandwich. I love my home county of Kent, known as The Garden of England, for its picturesque countryside, quaint rural villages, a fantastic, diverse coastline and its rich heritage and fascinating history. To say this is where England begins and began just starts to sum up this jewel in the kingdom's crown. I love sharing this south-east corner with visitors, and it never fails to delight me to share the 'wow' effect of standing on the cliffs, and gazing across the harbour and port, across that 21 mile strip of water to the French coastline. Yes, with binoculars you can see the time on the clock in Calais! There are magnificent Cathedrals, Castles, Gardens and Stately Homes within easy reach of Dover (and London is just an hour away by High-Speed train) For me, I like nothing better than to show a different side of the county, off the 'beaten-track', and on the smaller roads which the larger tour buses avoid! To see where a Knights Templars' Church stood next to Napoleonic fortifications and glance across meadows of wild flowers, and a few startled looking cows across the harbour of the busiest international passenger port in Europe to a Roman lighthouse, a Saxon church and a mighty castle - this is the real Gateway to England. I hope that my passion and enthusiasm will be catching, and that visitors will leave with a great impression, happy memories, and, above all, feeling they had fun and achieved exactly what they were looking for in a tour! I have lived in the county most of my life, but travelled extensively too, taught travel, tourism and hospitality students, as well as leading study trips, incentives and tours throughout Europe as a Tour Director. I like to be flexible and creative, and am equally happy looking after corporate clients, or sharing a spot of fruit-picking, treasure hunting, wine-tasting with family groups. Fish and chips in a seaside pub in the shadow of the White Cliffs, or enjoying takeaway versions in the fishing harbours of Whitstable or Folkestone, cream-teas down on the farm or on a steam train. The only problem is that there are simply not enough hours in the day. A special pleasure is to meet visitors with Kentish ancestry roots, and am very happy to help with the research and/or ramble around parish churchyards! I have found ancestors for families from around the world practically on my doorstep - It's such a pleasure to share this with my guests ! -A friendly and professional approach, in depth local knowledge, and many opportunities to open doors behind the scenes in hidden gems as well as ensuring that the fabulous historic monuments are on the itinerary where requested. You will be very welcome to join me in The Garden of England, and I look forward to meeting you, and making the most of your time here in Kent. Professional Blue Badge Tourist Guide for South East England Accredited Canterbury Cathedral Registered Guide Cert-Ed. Accredited Trainer for Institute of Tourist Guiding. Member of the British Guild of Registered Tourist Guides Chair Person of the South East England Tourist Guides Association Member (Past President) of the Institute of Tourist Guiding. I am not a Driver/Guide but I can accompany you in your vehicle or I can arrange a separate car and driver. There are some historical monuments where internal guiding is not permitted.