Audiovisual Tour Guides
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THE BARDEUM EXPERIENCE
LONDON TOURS
DON'T JUST SEE THE SITES
STEP INSIDE THEIR STORIES
Combining the magic of history, travel & storytelling
Our goal is enhance your travels through quality educational & entertaining storytelling.
Our audiovisual tours are written by award-winning and bestselling authors.
Step Inside a Story of a true event as you are guided through historical sites.
LET'S MAKE YOUR TRAVELS HISTORIC!
London, England
So much history! London is a treasure trove of fascinating, intriguing, and remarkable stories stretching back all the way to the Ancient Romans! The Romans settled on this spot of land along the River Thames in 43 AD and named it Londinium. Seventeen years later, an army led by the Celtic Queen Boudicca, burned the city to the ground. During the course of the next millennia, the city would be rebuilt and destroyed many times over.
In the middle of the 11th Century, the city's fortunes began to change. William the Conqueror was crowned King and the city began to prosper once again. As the Tudor Dynasty expanded - starting in the late 15th Century - so did London's population and importance in the world. More and more stories were born...
Today, London remains a global cultural center. It is said that over 300 languages are being spoken at any one time. The city boasts over 170 museums, an overabundance of historical sites, and, you guessed it...so many stories.
London Tours
Our inaugural tours in London are written by two of the most well-known historians in England (Lord Charles Spencer & Tracy Borman) and an international bestselling author (Elizabeth Macneal). We started with the Royal Parks not only because they are beautiful places for a walk, but they are steeped in history. Visitors can download a BARDEUM audiovisual tour and step back in time to experience three of the most fascinating events that took place in the parks over the course of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.
The history of Hyde Park is traceable to early medieval times. It's name is believed to be of Saxon origin meaning a unit of land. A "hide" was a suitable size for the support of a single family and its dependents. During the middle ages, the property belonged to Westminster Abbey providing the abbot and monks ample firewood and game.
In 1536, Henry VIII confiscated the land from the Abbey to use as his private hunting grounds. By 1637, the land had been officially established as a public park - quickly becoming a very popular place to be seen. Queen Caroline made significant improvements in the early 18th century, including the creation of The Serpentine. The park also became somewhat infamous for being the chosen spot for duels among the nobility. One of the most important events to take place in Hyde Park was The Great Exhibition of 1851.
The years, decades, centuries have fallen away, and here you are on the 1st of May 1851. Tens of Thousands of people have descended upon London’s Hyde Park. At nine o’clock the turnstiles will open, and you will find yourself at the opening day of The Great Exhibition, a vast, temporary glass museum.
The Crystal Palace, as it has been nicknamed, was built to house more than a hundred thousand exhibits of culture and industry from around the globe. You will behold all of Great Britain’s achievements and that of the countries surrounding it – machines and presses, taxidermy and clothwork, ceramics and ironmongery.
It is the first World’s Fair - the project of Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert. His reputation rides on its success or failure. The Queen is alive with excitement and will, of course, be in attendance.
Step back in time to witness this dazzling spectacle that was to become a symbol of the Victorian era.
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ELIZABETH
MACNEAL
AUTHOR
Sunday Times bestselling author of The Doll Factory and Circus of Wonders.
TUPPENCE
MIDDLETON
NARRATOR
Actor best known for her roles in Downton Abbey and The Imitation Game.
"Hugely evocative - you can imagine the crowds, displays, and excitement. Both fascinating and moving. Highly recommended!"
Elizabeth Norton, writer, broadcaster and royal historian
Testimonials
"A perfect afternoon stroll into another age, told with capriciousness and verve. Put on your top hats and bring your parasols, Victorian London is just a tap on your phone away!"
Inga Vesper, journalist
"The Great Exhibition walking tour must be the closest thing we have to time travel.”
Anonymous User
In 1689, the joint monarchs William III and Mary II built Kensington Palace at the western end of Hyde Park as a new residence better suited for the asthmatic William. They procured a large section of Henry VIII's former hunting grounds for their private garden. When Queen Anne came to the thrown she transformed the area into an English-Style garden along with the Orangery - intended as the ideal entertainment venue for her court.
Queen Caroline made significant changes in the early 18th Century which are still reflective in today's Royal Park. It is here that you can truly walk in the footsteps of King's, Queen's, Courtiers, and mistresses...
"Good day to you and welcome to Kensington Gardens. It is the year 1734 and King George II reigns over England. Kensington Palace is the center of court and its gardens are the place to be seen.
"Forgive me, but before we progress, I must ensure that you are dressed appropriately. You do not want to suffer the humiliation of being turned away by His Majesty’s gatekeepers for not being of sufficiently genteel appearance.
"I am Henrietta Howard, Countess of Suffolk, Mistress of the Robes to Queen Caroline and, er, companion to her husband, King George II. You might say I serve two masters, although in very different ways. But more of that later. For now, let us enjoy the gardens."
Step inside the true Tales of a Mistress as you stroll through the park with the King's longest serving mistress and delight in her knowledge of the gardens as well as her intimate familiarity with life in the Georgian Court.
TRACY
BORMAN
AUTHOR
Acclaimed author, historian, and Joint Chief Curator of Historic Royal Palaces.
FLORA
MONTGOMERY
NARRATOR
Actor best known for her roles in Grantchester, Endeavor & A Very English Scandal.
‘A deliciously inviting way to explore one of the most atmospheric places in London. At once entertaining and informative, this is a stroll in the best of company through the elegant, eccentric world of the early Georgian court.’
Sarah Gristwood, best-selling Tudor biographer, novelist, and broadcaster
Testimonials
'Told through the eyes of an extraordinary woman, Tales of a Mistress is a masterpiece of storytelling from Tracy Borman. Evocative, authentic and extremely entertaining.'
Nicola Tallis, British Historian and author
"Tracy Borman has written a fabulous experience. Brings the Georgian Gardens back to life. Full of fascinating details on the Georgian period. I loved it!”
Dr. Elizabeth Norton, historian and author
This area which is known officially as St. James's' Park was once marshy and at times impenetrable, until 1603 when James the First, had it drained and gently (rather than formally) landscaped.
Kings of England had long enjoyed collecting menageries of animals, which were usually comprised of gifts from other rulers and aristocrats, from overseas. King James had many of his exotic creatures brought here and kept in pens. Camels and elephants caused astonishment to visitors, who also marveled at the menace of crocodiles in the water. There were also aviaries, holding exotic birds.
Less than fifty years later, the area would become a part of the most shocking event to ever take place in England.
Imagine a chilly day in late January 1649, and a carriage with a gold crest on its doors arrives at the gatehouse of St. James's Palace. It is carrying an eight-year-old boy and his thirteen-year-old sister. They are Henry, Duke of Gloucester, and Princess Elizabeth, two of Charles the First’s children.
But, this is no happy royal or family visit. For, in a unique moment in English history, the king has recently been condemned to death, and these children have been brought to London to say their final goodbyes to their father.
Escorted by a regiment of 1200 men, King Charles the First is paraded from St. James’s Palace, through St. James’s Park and onto Whitehall, where his executioner awaits.
Walk in the footsteps of the condemned King as you learn about the events that ultimately led to this remarkable renunciation of the Divine Right of Kings and stand witness to his final words as the axe falls.
CHARLES
SPENCER
AUTHOR
Sunday Times bestselling author and finalist for "History Book of the Year".
ANTHONY
HOWELL
NARRATOR
Actor best known for his roles in Foyle's War, Mr. Selfridge & many performances at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.
"Death of a King is spine-tingling and transportive.
A wonderful way of capturing the spirit of the time and place."
Jesse Childs, prize-winning writer and historian
Testimonials
"A magical tour...brilliantly written. it weaves you into its story and you are spellbound, watching the decline, fall and execution of the King - and you can’t do anything to stop it."
Kate Williams, CNN royal historian & New York Times bestselling author
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