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More About Us
Our principal and founder, Phil Howe, studied Politics, Philosophy and English at the University of Reading, was a Senior Lecturer working with universities and colleges, frequently travelling in Europe as a consultant to educational institutions. His vision for Hidden Britain Tours was created in 2005 from his own experience of what he felt was missing from many mainstream tours. He has a rural background and a talent for explanation.
Our aim is to offer something that you will not be able to see on a larger group tour as many of the roads we travel are not suitable for larger vehicles. We offer something that is far more personal and engaging, with opportunities for debate and dialogue throughout the day. We treat you as an individual, contextualise the history and explain the landscape and wildlife you see and the people who live and work in it.
For your comfort our tour vehicle is a VW Touran which can easily accommodate 4 passengers, five if someone is agile. If you do have a larger group, we can usually arrange for a suitable vehicle with driver.
More About You
Our customers are the curious, the inquisitive, families, friends, international visitors, clubs, societies, conference delegates, visiting academics, Jane Austen fans, and people like you. You like good food, taking photos, sharing them on social media, meeting local people and good conversation.
Your time is important, and you want to be able to see major attractions as well as something that's different; the places that many visitors miss. Your day's adventure will start with an easy 45-minute train journey from London Waterloo.
More About Jane
Our Jane Austen Tour is a focus on Jane Austen's life rather than her novels. Many of our visitors are already familiar with her work, either through her novels or film and TV adaptations. People often like to read more about her either before or after the tour. We strongly recommend the Tomalin biography as pre-reading.
Phil Howe, Twelve Hours - A play about Jane Austen's twelve hour engagement, Hidden Britain Tours Press, 2019, ISBN 9781999691103
Copies are available directly from the author, price £9.99 + P&P. We accept most major debit/credit cards.
Phil Howe
Hidden Britain Tours Press
28 Chequers Road
Basingstoke
Hampshire RG21 7PU
Call +44 (0)1256 814222 or email info@hiddenbritaintours.co.uk
Claire Tomalin, Jane Austen: A Life, Penguin, 1997
Collected and Edited by Dierdre le Faye, Jane Austen's Letters, Oxford University Press, 1995