Michael Thompson

Best of Wales - general interest tours

Welsh, Italian, Irish, Viking Scandinavian and, not forgetting, English ancestry are (literally) in my DNA .... so if you are looking for a General Interest Tour I am very well placed to take you on an adventure through an introduction to Wales whether your interest is in our Welsh Heritage, our unique contribution to the Roman Empire, our links with Ireland and England or our trading past with Scandinavian Vikings !!
My guiding passions include the History, Mysteries, Myths & Legends of Wales ... but not forgetting our many Castles & Country Houses & the art that our heritage has inspired.

Castles

With so many Castles in Wales to explore, I will be delighted to give you not only an insight into our castle architecture (and the reasons that they were built) but also an idea of what it would have been like to live in one of our castles whether you were the King or Queen of the Castle - or one of the less fortunate occupants !!

Churches Chapels and Cathedrals

The impact of Christianity on life in Wales and Welsh culture has been immense; from majestic ruins of Abbeys and Monasteries to grand Cathedrals which continue to provide the spiritual Christian heart of Welsh cities ..... not forgetting the myriad of Village Churches dedicated to local Celtic Saints or the 'Non-Conformist' chapels - I will guide you through such a huge part of Welsh Heritage.

Countryside

Wales is justly famous for its rolling countryside, pretty villages, dramatic coastline, majestic mountains and valleys .... I will guide you through our lovely countryside in order that it will come alive with local stories, myths and legends which will ensure your visit is so much more special.

Folklore and Traditions

'A Tale Is But Half Told When Only One Person Tells It' .... I have been brought up with our Folklore and Traditions; we know that story telling has always played an important part of the Welsh Tradition; a tradition for which I have a huge passion.
Whether you are interested in the tales and folklore of our Druid ancestors, the stories of 'The Mabinogion', Merlin and Arthurian Legend or the origins of our victorious Red Welsh Dragon - I will guide you through the Mysteries, Myths and Legends which are the foundation of so many Welsh Traditions and Folklore.

Gardens and Stately Homes

If you are looking for someone to bring our wonderful Stately Homes and Pleasure Gardens to life, I will be able to offer a background to the families who built our majestic country houses - with anecdotes (and gossip !!) to give an idea of their background & an explanation of life on these great estates (both those who considered themselves important & those who served them !!)
In Wales our natural landscape is simply magnificent .... but also complimented with Pleasure Gardens ... why not join me for an insight into the origins of these gardens and the plant enthusiasts who created them.

LGBTQ+

Welcome to the truly diverse society and culture we enjoy in Wales.
As a married Gay man I will be very pleased to guide you through the LGBTQ+ history of Wales and the important contribution of the LGBTQ+ community to contemporary life in Wales today.

Music, Culture and Poetry

With a background in Fine Art I will be delighted to help bring the diverse decorative art and paintings we are able to enjoy in Wales to life.
Have you ever wondered about the hidden codes which abound in our historical paintings ?? Let me help you to break the code and discover so much more about the subjects of both portraits and landscapes than you may have expected to find.
From Classical Fine Art Portraiture to Modern Contemporary Installations, let me guide you through the art of Wales - both traditional and modern.

Religion

Have you ever wondered about the Pagan Traditions of our Druid Ancestors, the Roman Invaders, The Wise Folk and Practitioners of Natural Magic, The Era of Early Christianity in Wales and our many Celtic Saints ???
I will guide you through the Religion of the Welsh People from the earliest stories of the Pagan Mysteries, through Early Christianity, The Reformation & The Non-Conformist Movement - until we arrive in the truly diverse religious life of Wales today representative of the many communities who make Wales their home; Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Pagan ... to name but a few !!