Guided Melton Mowbray History Tours
NEW Private History Tours available to book in Melton Mowbray!
HistoryFare Tours take you on a journey of around the historic market town of Melton Mowbray on a walking tour that promises a journey of fascinating discoveries to uncover the town's vibrant history and meet its legendary figures.
Duration - 120 Minutes (2 Hours)
Cost - £5 per head To book a private tour email: meltonhistoryfare@gmail.com,
alternatively you can call Brian on 07885 938 945.
For further information visit https://historyfare.co.uk/
HistoryFare is run by Brian Fare, tour guide in Melton Mowbray and military historian.
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Tour One: Melton Mowbray History Trail
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Tour Two: Painting the Town Red
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Tour Three: Military History Walking Tour
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Tour Four: Airborne & Commando General Tour
Walking Tours
If you think that Melton Mowbray is just about Pork Pies and Stilton Cheese, then think again!
As an historic market town, known as the “Rural Capital of Food”, Pork Pies and Stilton Cheese play an important part in the history and heritage of Melton Mowbray and should not be forgotten, but there is far more to Melton Mowbray.
The history of Melton Mowbray can be traced back hundreds of years. Archaeological remains from the Bronze Age (c.600BC), Roman (43-409AD), Anglo Saxon (500-650AD), and Viking/Danelaw (800-900AD) periods have all been found in the town and surrounding area.
The first documented evidence of Melton was in the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was listed as “Medeltun”. Medeltun or “Middletown” descends from it being a central township with a Mother Church (St Mary’s) surrounded by 5 hamlets: Burton Lazars, Eye Kettleby, Sysonby, Welby & Freeby.
Over the years, the name Medletun has morphed into Melton. The Mowbray part of the name comes from the Mowbray family who were granted the land after the Norman Conquest and became Lords of the Manor.
Melton Mowbray History Trail
This tour will look at the town’s rich history including the Lords of the Manor, The Magna Carta, Royalty, Socialites, Fox Hunting and
much more.
For more information Melton Mowbray History Trail, click here.
Painting the Town Red Walking Tour
Melton Mowbray is famous for Fox Hunting and one of the historic ‘stories’ from the 1830s relates to the Marquis of Waterford and the expression “painting the town red” which came about when the Marquis, who was well known for his hooliganism, and his friends caused havoc in throughout the town painting buildings red.
On this tour, uncover the story of Painting the Town Red, as well as looking at some of the hunting lodges, famous characters and the antics they got up to whilst staying in Melton.
For more information Painting the Town Red Walking Tour, click here.
Military History Walking Tour
The military history tour is crammed full of intriguing military history including Victoria Cross recipients, the Battle of the Little Bighorn, the Boer War, English Civil War, the RAFs highest scoring fighter pilot, military working dogs, plus much more.
For more information about the Military History Walking Tour, click here.
Airborne & Commando General Tour
During World War Two, Melton Mowbray became home to ‘Red Devils’ when hundreds of paratroopers made the town their home after returning to England from fighting in North Africa and Italy. Whilst in Melton they were based at both the Vet Camp and local houses/lodges in town whilst training for operations for D-Day and Arnhem.
Newport Lodge was used as billets by 156 Bn, but prior to WW2, it was also the family home of the Laycock family and Robert, one of the children, became Major General Sir Robert Laycock KCMG, CB, DSO otherwise known as the Commando
General and Commander of of the Lay Force.
For more information about the Airborne & Commando General Tour, click here.
