Salisbury and Wessex Private Tour Guide

My name is Don Cross.  I have been a qualified Blue Badge Guide for over thirty years and have also been a Guide Trainer Consultant for several English and overseas Tourist Boards and for the World Tourism Organization on Guiding.  I have trained most of our local tourist guides and have organized many private tours of the region of South Central England (Wessex) and the South West.

My City- Salisbury is in the center of Wessex and quite close to the world-famous Stonehenge, which I often visit with tours.  Spectacular Salisbury Cathedral is a "must" for most visitors to our city but it has much more to offer from its mediaeval buildings to modem shops and markets, not forgetting the original hilltop site at Old Sarum with its castle and cathedral ruins.  The other famous stone "henge" at Avebury is not far away.  Winchester, Southampton and the New Forest are nearby too, whilst the South Coast resorts of Bournemouth and Weymouth are worth visiting.  And Bath is only an hour away!  And all around is the wonderful down land countryside with its market towns and villages, traditional pubs, White Horses -and even crop circles in summer!  There's such a lot to see!

About Me- I was born in this County of Wiltshire and have lived in the area for many years.  Previously a teacher and then a College Senior Lecturer (Professor) in Geography and Tourism, I am a Founder Member of the Tourism Society and also Member of the Guild of Registered Tourist Guides, the Institute of Tour Guiding and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.  I have been involved in taking all kinds of groups all over Wessex for many years.  Now, retired from College, I still enjoy showing visitors around "my" area!

Special Interest Tours- In addition to the usual attractions of famous country houses like Wilton House, Longleat and Beaulieu nearby, we have promoted a variety of " different interest tours" for individuals, business guests and small private groups in Wessex.  These can be farm visits, local specialist food producers (including small breweries, meat, cheese and fish producers), farm shops and market gardens, visits for, those who may be interested in specialist shopping (e.g. local crafts, pottery, antiques, etc.), museums and places connected to famous people like Brunel, Jane Austen, King Alfred - and King Arthur -yes, Glastonbury is also reachable from Salisbury by road!  Trips over Wessex by helicopter and light airplane can be arranged; steam train rides and canal boat excursions are all possible!

I can also arrange tours of the Wessex area from your cruise ship in Southampton. Please ask me for details.

My Prices

This year our general fees are 150  GBP for a full 8-hour day and 82 GBP for morning, afternoon or evening.  There are reduced fees for certain local tours and walks etc.  I can arrange local car or minibus transport for private groups at an extra charge of 2 GBP per mile.  Please contact me with your requests and I will be able to help more.

How to Contact Me

Click to Email Don:dc.wessxploreguides@tiscali.co.uk
Phone: +(44)1722-326304

If you have trouble opening the above email, please copy the address and paste it into your email "to Box". Don't forget to mention Private Guides in Europe.

My Past Guest's Comments

Share your own experience using this private guide by sending us an email (contact us button in upper right of page). Include your guide's name, city and the date of your tour. Please also include your name, city, and country.