h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

How do you get the most out of visiting a historic building, the kind associated with The National Trust?

have a good poke around and make the most of thier gardens/landscapes

whatever you do, don't touch the curtains

Exit by the gift shop.

First rule is to do some independant research online. Here you can find those interesting bits about the history you may miss (and also fuel for some good questions for the guides).
Second. Make sure you get the guided tour. Just bumbling around on your own is useless, and you will miss loads of stuff.

Aaah aaah!

Actually, the best thing is probably to go on a day when they have an organised event of some description. Best to check the National Trust website to find out when something is happening.


Geggs

Don't go on a bank holiday. There will be so many people there that you might as well just walk down the high street - you won't see anything for crowds. Go on a mid-week day in autumn, preferably cloudy.

Maybe read a bit about it before you go, too. It's more enjoyable if you know what you're looking at, and it will also help you spot the point where the tour guide starts spoofing.

Just yesterday I was giving a presentation at a local historical site. It only goes back 175 years as I am in the States. As a presenter I know far more about the site than the average visitor could bear so I simplify my talk to the most important points and give several opportunities for questions.

The more detailed the question the better, and if someone asks about something I don't know I will say so, and begin a bit more research.

To get the most out of your visit I would recommend you do as much research as you can on the site before visiting, it is amazing how much information is available on-line. Rather than being surprised about what you are told, your research will most often be confirmed, or if not it will give you a good question to ask. In the historical record, unlike maths, 1+1 does not always = 2.

Also you may well find questions in your mind that have not been accurately addressed or even have conflicting answers.

You might want look at the entry Cavehill in peer review (not my entry) or any of the other historical entries on our site for ideas of the questions you might ask.

I truly hope you enjoy your visit

F S

Do a history degree first

Mol

don't miss an opportunity to dress up, or try out props

Just to amend that slightly:

Actually, the worst thing is probably to go on a day when they have an organised event of some description.

Unless you enjoy the spectacle of bored people dressed up as Tudors/Vikings/Victorians performing some camped up version of street entertainment.

My tip would be to find out what was going on in the grounds. Ring and ask the following questions:

1. Are the bluebells/snowdrops/delphiniums out?
2. Is there a refreshing absence of kids' Easter egg trails or sculpture displays from the local 6th form college?

Try not to get too annoyed by the pro-aristocrat propaganda, and instead wonder at the trappings of wealth and exquisite taste of the descendants of robber barons.

>>Unless you enjoy the spectacle of bored people dressed up as Tudors/Vikings/Victorians performing some camped up version of street entertainment.

Well, in my defence, such things can be enjoyed ironically...


Geggs

>>Try not to get too annoyed by the pro-aristocrat propaganda

That's something which annoyed me; the guide tried to convince us that the family were some sort of philanthropists for employing hundreds of servants.

We live in an estate cottage, owned by a stately home, and are very imbued in this world. I tend to think of it as a reserve for Astristo's to preserve their ancient and outdated way of life. And laugh and nod when there is something outrageously 'Astristo'.

Also there is *no way* we could afford to be owner occupiers in anywhere nearly as nice, so we are actually glad the estate still owns property. Saying this as a former SWP member really hurts! That said if we move i'll be looking for another estate cottage as the quality of life is much better than anywhere else I have lived, including owner-occupying.



Anyway visiting.

I don't read a lot before hand but I do find out as much as possible about the history whilst I am there. I take a tour, and read the guidebook. I'll often then buy a book in the shop about any particular event or personality associated with the house.

I love finding out about history in the place where it happened, it really fires the imagination.

A guidebook really helps too. In fact, it can be better than a human guide in some ways, because you can move around at your own pace. It's how I gained the most out of sites in Japan, and especially Kyoto: I enjoyed reading bits aloud to my family as we got to the relevant points.
It contrasts notably with my experience of Machu Picchu in Peru. We spent four days walking the Inca Trail to get there and, while this was reward enough in itself, the end point was somewhat disappointing because I had done very little research and didn't have a guide book. I ended up ambling down pathways, looking at piles of stone that bore no significance to me, as I knew nothing about them...

Hmmm, I smell a guide entry in the making. Florida Sailor, would you like to collaborate on something? (I'm a tour guide too, other side of the pond.)

Visit in the dead of night - wear a black catsuit, have an infravision headset and make sure you are highly trained in ninjitsu.
(A large sack is also recommended)

More seriously I agree with most of the above except the guided tour - I hate those and you get dragged away from things you're most interested in.
Do some advance research of your own first is my ploy.

(Depends on the building mind - if you're visiting something *really* historis such as the Forum in Rome - get the audioguides- much better than the guided tour). If it's a random stately home then the guided tour probably is a good option.)

That won't do you any good, Orcus, they tend to have people like me actually living in them to go after you with a big stick.

>>I agree with most of the above except the guided tour - I hate those and you get dragged away from things you're most interested in.

I'm one of those rude people who has no concerns about leaving a guided tour if I so fancy. I appreciate the guide might be a volunteer and I respect that, but here's no point in suffering a tour you're not enjoying, surely the guide wouldn't want that?

Unfortunately, when I'm with family, I can't do it, because it's "wrong" apparently.

Depends on the site as well. We're not allowed to let people leave, for security reasons. Officially, "security reasons" are to keep stuff from getting stolen, inofficially, part of the lockup routine is to check for bombs...

So sure, you can leave, but you can't just wander off, we have to radio someone to come get you.