Historical Tour News

Last ‘Great Escape’ Survivor Dies

Ex-bomber pilot Richard ‘Dick’ Churchill, the last living survivor of the real ‘Great Escape’ has died at the age of 99. Churchill was the 50th of the 76 RAF Prisoners of War who took part in the daring tunnel escape from German prison camp Stalag Luft III.  Read more

The Cultural Experience Receives Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award For 2nd Year In A Row

We are delighted to announce that we have won the Feefo Gold Service award, an independent seal of excellence that recognises businesses for delivering exceptional experiences for a 2nd year in a row, as rated by you, our customers.  Read more

WW1 grenade found in Hong Kong crisp factory

An unexploded hand grenade from the First World War has been discovered in a crisp factory in Hong Kong. The German made bomb was found in a shipment of potatoes imported from France.  Read more

Horrifying new theory suggests that Alexander the Great wasn’t dead, but paralysed

Alexander the Great, one of history’s most masterful generals, could have been alive for up to six days after being declared dead according to a horrifying new theory.   Read more

Ancient horse, saddled and ready to run, uncovered at Villa of Mysteries!

The remains of a third horse have been discovered during the excavations of a stable at Civita Giuliana, just outside of Pompeii. The horse was found with the remains of an ornate and expensive Roman parade harness, suggesting that is was being prepared to rescue those fleeing from the volcano.   Read more

Hemingway’s unknown Italian saviour found

On July 8, 1918, a young ambulance driver named Ernest Hemingway was distributing supplies to the Italian soldiers along the Piave River when the trench he was walking through was hit by an Austrian mortar shell. Hemingway was left severely injured, but alive because of the unknown Italian soldier standing in front of him. Hardly anything is known about the Italian soldier - until now.   Read more

Exciting discoveries at Ancient Philippopolis

The ongoing excavations in the heart of Ancient Philippopolis, better known as modern day Plovdiv in Bulgaria, have unearthed an ancient pantheon temple and a Pompeiian style brothel. The excavations of the six luxury quarters of the ancient city centre have challenged what was previously thought about life during its time as an outpost of the Roman Empire and has raised questions that we are currently unable to answer.   Read more

A First World War relic - the wreck of a German U-Boat is uncovered on French beach

The wreck of a German U-Boat from the First World War has emerged from the sand on Wissant beach, near Calais. The wreck, which was stranded and flooded in 1917, became visible in December due to sand movement caused by the tides and wind.   Read more

Graffiti left by soldiers just after D-Day uncovered

A series of drawings and graffiti has been discovered in a barn in Sommervieu, Normandy, believed to be the work of British soldiers resting just after the landings at Gold Beach on D-Day. The drawings and signatures, uncovered by British Military Historian Dan Hill, offer a rare snapshot into the thoughts of the soldiers who were invading France.

  Read more

A 200 yearlong treasure hunt - new theory about Napoleon’s hidden gold

A new theory has emerged regarding the location of Emperor Napoleon’s stolen treasure, believed to be hidden during the French army’s retreat from Russia after the disastrous campaign of 1812. For over 200 years there have been rumours that Napoleon’s Grande Armée stole 80 tonnes of gold and valuables from Moscow. Despite treasure hunters’ best efforts, the loot has never been found.  Read more

New fresco discovered at Pompeii!

A new fresco has been discovered during maintenance at the ancient ruins of Pompeii, depicting a provocative scene from the myth of Leda and The Swan. It was found following the discovery of an explicit mural of Priapus, the god of fertility, in the same house.   Read more

Forgotten history of Southampton in the American Civil War

During the winter of 1861, Southampton became the unexpected centre of the American Civil War, playing host to the damaged Confederate steamer Nashville, and the Federal war ship that pursued her.  Read more

2020 Tour Preview - Register Your Interest Now

We have been working hard to come up with some brilliant tours that we are looking to run throughout 2020. You can register your interest in these tours by filling in the form at the bottom of this page.

By registering your interest in a tour you will be given an exclusive booking window to be able to book a tour before it goes on general sale.  Read more

Walking Waterloo - Customer Review

We receive many customer reviews, for which we are very grateful. Your reviews help us to deliver quality tours year after year.

On our recent Walking Waterloo tour was customer Tom Hibberd, who also runs Airsoft Action TV.  Read more

The Archaeology of the Bay of Naples - a review by TCE guide, Amanda Pavlick

Earlier this year, popular TCE guide Amanda Pavlick, Professor of Classics at Xavier University, led a tour around the archaeological delights of the Bay of Naples.   Read more

Napoleon Crowned Emperor of France

In the illustrious Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of France. Despite already having absolute power through his position of First Consul for Life, Napoleon chose to hold a lavish and elaborate ceremony as show of strength to cement the legitimacy of his regime and satisfy his allies and the powerful French elite.  Read more

The Secrets of Palmate Revealed!

Exciting excavations at the Late Antiquity and Early Byzantine Fortress of Palmate in North Bulgaria have revealed how the city was conquered and ransacked by at least two invading forces.   Read more

Double Delight At 2018 Travel Mole Awards

On Thursday 22nd November 2018, we attended the annual Travel Mole Awards, where once again we were nominated for two awards.

The 14th occurrence of this event rewards the best web, social, mobile and technology in the travel industry & was held on board a City Cruise boat travelling up and down the Thames.  Read more

Turning the Tide - the British Capture of Fort Duquesne

Fort Duquesne is one of the most important sites associated with The French and Indian War (1754 - 1763). It’s construction by the French in 1754 was a catalyst for that war as the British and French competed for control of the Ohio Valley. It’s capture by the British in 1758 was a turning point, leading to the British invasion of Canada and the eventual removal of the French presence in North America.   Read more

Remembering Our Local Heroes

This weekend, as well as remembering heroes from all over the world, The Cultural Experience have also been looking in to the stories of local soldiers who lost their lives during the Great War.   Read more

The Great War 100 Years On

For more than ten years, The Cultural Experience have been exploring the battlefields, stories and soldiers of the Great War. As a result, we have collected some great images of various memorials.  Read more

The Mystery of the Unfinished Violin

An unfinished violin, with a secret history has started a journey of discovery after new owner, Folk musician Sam Sweeney, traced its origins after finding a small note dated 1915 inside the violin’s body.

The violin, bought in pieces at auction and restored by Rodger Claridge, was bought by Mr Sweeney in 2009. It appeared brand new, except for a small note, which was identified as a signature.

  Read more

Remembering Captain Geoffrey Grenside Bowen, 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers

As we come towards the end of the centenary year of the First World War, we are taking a closer look at those who fought and died in the last months of the war. Our successful 1918 Centenary tours explored the events of the final year and our First & Last Shots tour next year will look at the last days of the war that changed the world. However, we would like to take the opportunity to explore the story of a remarkable individual who almost made it throughout the entire war.  Read more

Was Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo caused by a volcanic eruption?

As we leave the summer behind and embark upon our autumn tours, one tour that never fails to excite is our classic “Walking Waterloo” tour in October. A staple for every Napoleonic enthusiast, the Battle of Waterloo is such an iconic, pivotal and well-debated event that it is unusual to uncover new information. However, that is exactly what has happened.  Read more

A story of survival: 93 year old war veteran returns to the wreck of the SS Leopoldville

On Christmas Eve, 1944, the Belgian troopship SS Leopoldville was carrying American troops of the 66th Infantry Division to join The Battle of the Bulge when it was torpedoed by a German U-boat. 800 men lost their lives just five miles from the French coast.   Read more

British Travel Awards Nominee 2018

Thanks to your amazing support last year we won a Travel Mole award for the best branded travel website.

We are delighted to announce that we have now been shortlisted in the category of "Best Special Interest Holiday Company" at the British Travel Awards.  Read more

The Great War – Searching for Edward

An urgent appeal has been launched by the MOD to trace relatives of a soldier killed during the Great War. Sergeant Edward Norton, 7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry died in September 1918 but his body was never found.   Read more

Press Release - The Cultural Experience Awarded Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award

The Cultural Experience has won the Feefo Gold Service award, an independent seal of excellence that recognises businesses for delivering exceptional experiences, as rated by real customers.  Read more

Come and see us in 2018

We will be appearing at a number of events in 2018 and we would love to catch up with you or meet you for the first time. Here is a list of events where you can see us.  Read more

The defining features and hardships of the Salonika Campaign

The campaign along what is now the Greece-Macedonia boarder, known as the Salonika front, is one of the least studied and explored parts of the First World War. The line was established in 1915 by the allied forces in an attempt to protect Serbia against attacks from the combined Bulgarian, Germans and Austro-Hungarian forces.   Read more

SS Iona II: Confederate blockade runner

Launched in 1863, The SS Iona II had not even been in service for a year, but already this state of the art twin paddle steamer built to ferry Scots across the River Clyde had been snapped up for trans-Atlantic clandestine operations by Charles Hopkins Boster of Richmond, VA. On the night 19th January 1864, fully laden with coal and her mysterious cargo, she set sail to travel the short journey across the Irish Sea to Queenstown (Cobh) near Cork, where some say she refueled again  Read more

Low Deposit Offer This January

This January you can book any of our tours which have a duration of 6 days or longer from just £100 per person*  Read more

2019 Tour Preview - Register Your Interest Now

We have been working hard to come up with some brilliant tours that we are looking to run throughout 2019. You can register your interest in these tours by filling in the form at the bottom of this page.

By registering your interest in a tour you will be given an exclusive booking window to be able to book a tour before it goes on general sale so please do let us know if a tour interests you.  Read more

Winners Of The Best Branded Travel Website

We would like to say a huge thank you to all of you that voted for us at the recent Travel Mole awards. We were up against some stiff competition but are delighted to announce that we won "Best Branded Website"  Read more

WW1 Memorial in Stourhead

Our operations manager Emma recently took a trip to Stourhead to visit the sculpture trail created by The Scraptors Sculpture Group. It was commissioned by the National Trust to commemorate the effect of World War 1 on the local community.  Read more

The Cultural Experience At TankFest 2018

We are delighted to announce that we will be exhibiting at TankFest 2018 in Bovvington, Dorset.   Read more

The Battle of Borodino

On the 7th September 1812 the meteoric career of Napoleon Bonaparte reached its apogee and started its precipitous descent towards catastrophe as the Emperor fought the Russians in one of the bloodiest battles of the 19th century.   Read more

2018 Tour Programme Now On Sale

After months of planning and designing we are delighted to introduce our new brochure for 2017 / 2018, which is packed with over 45 battlefield tours and cultural experiences.  Read more

John Byne Skerrett – the ‘Coward’ who died like a Hero and yet became a Scapegoat

Veterans of TCE Peninsular War tours with Col. Nick Lipscombe to the East Coast of Spain and the Pyrenees may well be familiar with the name of Major General John Byne Skerrett, an officer who eventually left Wellington’s army under a cloud after a series of poor battlefield judgments.  Read more

Tale of Two Peninsulas

When an Anglo-Russian army left North Holland in the late autumn of 1799, under an armistice granted to them by the Franco-Dutch forces they had failed to defeat, there would seem to have been little to celebrate. Granted, the Dutch navy was now in British hands.  Read more

Tunnel Network in World War 1

At The Cultural Experience we always look to create tours that are educational and informative and we often explore areas and parts of history that are lesser known.

One such example of this is our Tunnellers on the Western Front tour: The Underground War.   Read more

The Battle Of Los Angeles during World War 2

A lesser known tale of the Americans involvement in World War 2 is the strange “Battle of Los Angeles”

Following the attack on Pearl Harbour, many Americans believed that enemy raids were likely to take place at any moment, which was not helped when U.S Secretary of War Henry Stimson warned that American cities should be prepared to take the “occasional blow”.   Read more

Fortress Malta Tour - from The Knights of St John to WW2

Ashley Truluck and guests from Britain, America and Australia have just returned from this year’s tour of Malta. Despite (or perhaps because of!) the international mix, the group got on particularly well and had a great time.  Read more

Remembrance Sunday 2016

For the Fallen...  Read more

Latest Brochure OUT NOW!

We have launched our new brochure for 2016/2017, packed with over 50 battlefield tours and cultural experiences, a marked increase on last year. We are pleased to say we have attracted the leading academics and historians to guide the tours...  Read more

Billy's Blog - The Verdun Centenary Tour March 2016

On our arrival at St Pancras station a number of our participants were already waiting at our usual meeting point, next to the Sir John Betjeman statue, and the rest closely followed. All greeted each other and some caught up with familiar faces from previous tours. Once the whole group was present and had received their tickets we moved swiftly through check-in and into the departure lounge where we again congregated before making our way on to the train. All being seated in the same carriage allowed our guide Bruce to move through the train to distribute the tour handout and to introduce himself personally...  Read more