Carole Startin

Castles

With 601 in Wales, how can you not love our castles - both medieval masterpieces and modern castellations - large houses made to look like a medieval castle to impress Victorian high society! We have the very best medieval castles in North Wales, so join me to visit Conwy, Caernarfon, Beaumaris, Gwydir, Penryhn and many more. Each castle and the medieval towns have their own individual stories and jobs through history - think gong farmers, knocker-uppers, wise women and groom of the stool.

Agriculture and Farming

My home area of North Wales is very agricultural, so let me introduce you to the animals, plants and wonderful scenery and patchwork green fields to de-stress and fill your lungs with pure Welsh air. Learn about our own breeds of sheep, tupping and shearing to an ancient breed of cattle plus the oil grown in our fields, used in a myriad of products from day to day life.

Churches Chapels and Cathedrals

I can show you an eclectic mix of churches, monasteries, chapels and cathedrals in North Wales - all hand-built with devotion. From the tiny St Trillo's chapel on the beach to the longest running holy well of St Winefride - visited by Kings and Queens of England, thousands of pilgims and many more in between. It now forms part of our North Wales Camino or Pilgrim's Trail across our area of Wales. Think the Da Vinci Code but in actual bricks and mortar!

Copper Coal and Iron

With the largest copper mine in the world - yes in the world - during the Industrial Revolution and the metamorphic rock which made millions for their owners and exporters in days gone by, please join me to learn of ingenuity, strife and worldwide success of these rocks, which put Wales on the world map.

Gardens and Stately Homes

Bodnant Garden, built (and still going through changes) in the late 19th Century is THE best garden in Wales. Yes I'm biased as I live here and love it, but it's not the only garden plus large homes with gardens to explore. Compact in size North Wales may be, but it knocks spots off any area when it comes to what we have to offer, so do come and explore with me.

History and Prehistory

I love my history, especially the Kings and Queens of England - oh my what games and shenanigans they got up to! They all had links to Wales and shaped our modern day part of the UK in one form or another, so join me to find out who, why and where in Wales.

Best of Wales - general interest tours

If you've only a relatively short time in Wales and haven't been here before (why not I ask myself) then it's best to take an introductory generic tour with me, showing you highlights. As I live in North Wales, if you come into Wales via Manchester airport, a Liverpool cruise ship or Chester on a UK tour via coach, then let me show you my beautiful part of Wales in just a few days.

Slate and Slate Landscape

That metamorphic rock called Slate made many a man (sorry ladies we were at home in these times) very rich indeed, so join me to find out why. We visit the key areas where this happened, take a tour 500 ft underground, ride on a slate inspired historic steam train and find out why whole chunks of North West Wales have now been designated a Unesco World Heritage Site alongside the Grand Canyon, Taj Mahal to name but a couple.