Get The Best From a Guided Tour With Bryn of Hello Notts

This is a guest blog by Bryn Tomlin, an Official Tour Guide of Nottingham on behalf of ‘Hello Notts Tours’. Bryn runs regular Saturday Tours that include Nottingham Heroes and Nottingham Highlights, more details of these tours are available here. He is also available for exclusive private tours by contacting him via email at hellonotts@outlook.com

Here he gives his 7 ways to get the best from a guided tour:

It’s said that the greatest job in the world is the one that you can’t wait to start in the morning – it might sound crazy to some, but for me being a tour guide gives me a buzz.

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to many places, meet many people from different cultures, and visit hundreds of churches, cathedrals, castles, museums towns and cities. Wherever I go, if possible I always go on a guided tour as it’s a great way to learn much more about the sights and where you’re visiting, and often, helps you see the place in a whole new light.

I’ve been on good tours and not so good tours, and ensure that my own are not just good but a great and memorable experience for the participants. So, for you here are my 7 ways to get the best from a guided tour:

• Ask questions – a tour isn’t just a one-way thing; it’s about engaging in the culture and history and learning more, and the best way to do that is to ask. Don’t be put off by speaking out, or feel like you’re being rude – at the end of the day it’s your tour!
• Be on time – out of respect to the tour guide. It can come across as slightly rude to turn up late. It’s also up to the tour guide to keep to time and not over indulge – the tour shouldn’t be a marathon!
• We do have limits – tour guides don’t know everything, but should be quite knowledgeable about their area of interest, however they are only human, and will not know everything. You should also expect a follow-up afterwards if they can’t answer a question.
• Snap away – most smartphones have cameras built in nowadays, so there aren’t any excuses. If you see something cool and want to get a picture, then go ahead!
• Know the recipe – tours shouldn’t be overtly detailed; you aren’t going to remember 300 facts at the end, but you will remember a good story or anecdote. It’s not revising for an exam, it’s about being informative, relevant and fun!
• Check the menu – before going on any tour, check on sites like Trip Advisor, Google and Facebook to see the tour’s reputation. Many reviews help you know what to expect, and tell you how to make the most of the tour experience.
• Home, sweet home – most people reserve guided tours as something they do on holiday or away from home, often ignoring the culture and history of where they live. There could be a lot more of interest on your doorstep – and a guided tour is a good way to find out!

Bryn Tomlin – Hello Notts Guided Tours

• Read more about Bryn's tours: Nottingham Highlights Tour & Nottingham Heroes Tour
• Check out Hello Notts on Facebook!
• See Hello Notts' Trip Advisor page