The word “tour” brings to mind images of clunky guides, unprofessionally dressed travelers, and cobwebs on a hot day. But what you likely don’t know about historic tours is that they’re much more than antiquing with a bottle of port. In fact, the history and culture of a place have a lot to offer those who take the time to experience it in a different way. If you are looking for a way to get your history fix while also visiting some of your finest historical spots, consider taking one of these rewarding tours.

What is a Historic Tour?

A historic tour is a walking or driving tour of a place that highlights its history and architecture. While many people think of walking tours as being lead by unkempt old men, companies throughout the UK offer guided tour programs that feature highly-trained, charming local guides. You can find many of these tours offered as private guided tours or as part of a popular city tour. The idea of a walking or driving tour is to take you on a tour that highlights some of the most significant places, people, and moments from a city’s or region’s past. These tours have been around for quite a while, and although they might not be the most exciting way to tour a city, they are a great way to get a lot of history in a short period of time. One of the best things about a historic tour is that you will likely get to mix with local residents while you are there. While the guides on those more popular tours are very likely to be very knowledgable and friendly, many historic city tours will welcome you to the city and spend the majority of the time talking with you. You will likely meet some interesting characters along the way.

Why Take a Historic Tour?

If you are planning a trip that includes walking or driving, but don’t want to take up a lot of room in your car or take a chance of getting lost in the history, a historic tour is the perfect way to go. You can easily enjoy the city as if you were actually living in it, without having to worry about getting lost or lost in the endless past. Another great reason to take a historic tour is if you have an interest in architecture, local history, or art nouveau. If you are especially interested in a certain era or building in a city, taking a tour that focuses on it will give you a chance to see it from different angles and understand its importance from a different perspective.

How to Take a Historic Tour

To get the most out of a historic tour, you will want to be prepared. Ideally, you will have a bit of knowledge about the place you are visiting so you can ask questions and make sure you are up to speed on any interesting facts that the tour guide is willing to share. Before heading out on a tour, it is advisable to get a feel for how the tour is organized. You can usually get a good idea by looking through the guest book at the end of the tour to see if there is a list of suggested reads that are relevant to your interests. You can also check out the events section of the tour website to see what is coming up next.

Great Things About Historic Tours

The most common thing to say about a historic tour is that it is simply amazing. Whether you are a history buff or a first time visitor to a place, there is something about walking or driving around in a city and seeing it from a different perspective. If you are lucky enough to be in a city with a strong architectural or historical tradition, then a historic tour is a sure way to enjoy yourself. That said, if you are not too keen on history or want to try out a historic tour but don’t want to commit to the full length walking tour, there are other options.

Final Words

The best part about a historic tour is that you will likely get to walk, drive, or sit in a lot of different places. Many of the cities you visit will have a number of different neighborhoods that make good candidates for a historic tour. In many cases, you may end up driving through some of the town’s most historic areas. When you are in a historic city such as London, you will likely find that many of the places you see on a tour are also places you will want to visit in person. So if you are lucky enough to be in a city with an excellent historical trail, consider taking one of the many guided walking tours of London. You will not only see the iconic architecture from a different perspective, but you will also get to experience the city from a much more personable and excited guide.