Leading guided walks: practical skills for real tours

About this course

The course develops the practical process of creating and leading guided walks, bringing together route planning, local history, storytelling and group management. Classroom discussion and planning are combined with outdoor learning, including a tutor-led exploration of a proposed route and a learner-led walk. Participants examine how Tower Hamlets’ streets, buildings and communities reflect historical, social and cultural change, then apply guiding and presentation techniques when contributing their own stories and local knowledge.

What you'll learn

• Plan sections of a guided walking route using guiding and storytelling techniques.
• Apply safety and group-management considerations during outdoor walks.
• Interpret features of the built environment in relation to local community development.
• Identify historical, social and cultural aspects of the East End, including migration, creativity and community change.
• Contribute to a guided walk using developed communication and presentation skills.

Is this course right for you?

The course is intended for improver-level learners developing beyond introductory guiding or storytelling. It is suitable for people who have completed an introductory course or have informal experience sharing local knowledge. Participation includes classroom planning, outdoor group activity and contributing to a learner-led guided walk.

• Previous introductory guiding or storytelling study is relevant.
• Informal experience of sharing local knowledge may also provide a suitable starting point.
• The course includes outdoor participation and learner-led presentation.