Hidden History Tours
(and a bit haunted)
People and the nitty gritty of their past experiences,
behaviour and choices are endlessly fascinating.
I share with you the history of the often grubby, depraved,
sometimes hilarious, criminal and always true, social underbelly of old Barum and other towns and villages local to North Devon.
True tales of ghostly experiences local people have had in various buildings,
the history of the building, who was murdered or died there and how and why.
The stories and characters I tell you about are fascinating and will give you
a new perspective on the streets you walk along or buildings you work in or visit very day.
These are real people who lived, loved and died, many have no headstone so it is hoped they are remembered here.
None more so than North Devons prostitutes, women with no other means of survival than their wits and willingness to allow strangers access to their vulvas. Their enterprising antics, heartbreak and sheer tenacity to annoy authority and live life their way never ceases to amaze me. In the Bygone Brothel tours we remember every one of them. Viva la Vulva!
There are Four Barnstaple Hidden History Tours to choose from, each one a different route.
Tours of others towns include, Westward Ho! Torrington, South Molton, Instow, Bideford Rail & River and Bideford Town.
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Barnstaple Hidden History Tours
Thursday evenings
7.30-9.30pm
River, Park and Prison 10th June. Town Tour 24th June. Workhouse Tales 8th July
Rail and River Taw 5th August. River, Park and Prison 12th August.
Workhouse Tales 30th September. Rail and River 7th October. Town Tour 4th November.
Tickets £12
The Plough Arts Centre 01805 624624
or online from
Tours start and end at St Anne's Chapel, Barnstaple
Bygone Brothel Tours
viva la vulva!
Illuminating stories of the money making and personal histories of Barnstaple's past working girls.
Where the Brothels were, why they chose this life. How they devised their own contraception and their ribald antics. All the stories are true and are told with sympathy for their plight as well as humour in their ingenuity. Please be aware that some details are gritty to say the least.
Thursdays 17th June. 26th August. 14th October. 25th November 7.30pm.
Tickets £12.
01805 624624
or online from
Tours start and end at St Anne's Chapel, Barnstaple
Bideford
Thursdays
A Walking tour of Old Bideford sharing with you, fascinating and true stories
of the ghosts seen and felt here, the murders, crimes and characters of Victorian Bideford
Rail & River 1st July. Bideford Town 15th July.
Rail & River 9th Sept. Bideford Town 2nd Sept.
All tours start at 7.30pm Tickets £12
01805 624624 or online
Westward Ho! Hidden History Tour
Thursdays
22nd July. 16th September. 28th october.
7.30-9.30pm
Tickets £12.00 01805 624622
Torrington Rail and River
A walk along the old railway line hearing strange, funny and ghostly stories of the past.
7.30pm (please bring a torch, it is pitch black down there)
Tickets 12.00 01805 624624
Instow Hidden History Tours
Thursday 3rd June.
Friday 20th August. Friday 22nd October. 7.30-9.30pm
Meeting at the old Railway Signal box near the Yacht Club.
Tickets 12.00 01805 624624 or
Lynton Hidden History
with Clare Hartgen
A walking tour of Old Lynton sharing with you the true stories of Victorian Murder, witches, criminals and ghosts.
Weds 16th June. 28th July. 25th August.
7.30pm Meeting at the Town Hall.
Tickets £12.
Private Tours can be Arranged
With Sue Pengelly