Self-Guided Audio Tours
Discover Chester in a whole new way with my GPS‑guided VoiceMap audio tours.
Each route connects real locations to the stories I write, creating an immersive world you can step straight into. Along the way, you’ll find suggested activities, restaurants, and cosy bistros to enjoy as part of the adventure. Start by reading the books, then bring the stories to life by taking the tour, either in person using the free VoiceMap app on iPhone or Android, or virtually on your computer with photos and Google Street View to guide you. It’s storytelling you can walk through.
Barrels, Broomsticks and Witch Trials: A Chester Walking Tour
Step into the world of The Chester Witches and follow a bewitched barrel through Chester’s ancient streets, where characters spring to life with sound, music, and playful storytelling. As you wander, you’ll slip between Evelyn Winters’ magical tale and the city’s real witch‑trial history, a time when the accused were rolled in barrels toward the River Dee, where sinking meant innocence and floating marked you as a witch.
A Chester Adventure: The Blessington Dolls Storybook Trail
On this playful walking tour, you’ll wander through Chester’s cobbled streets to uncover the real history and quirky locations that inspired The Blessington Dolls. Expect a mix of famous landmarks, wacky local legends, ancient mysteries, and doll‑shop magic as we explore everything from haunted pubs and medieval Rows to Roman carvings and Civil War chaos. Along the way, you’ll hear how stories are made, discover the secrets behind a clever dollmaker, and learn how to turn real history into your own imaginative adventures. We finish at The Groves, where the riverside bandstand brings our tale to a joyful finale, perfect for curious kids, story lovers, and anyone who enjoys a dash of whimsy with their history.
How To Use VoiceMap Audio Tours
How it Works
To enjoy my walking tours, you’ll be using VoiceMap, a brilliant little app that turns your phone into a storytelling companion. VoiceMap uses your phone’s GPS to follow your footsteps, so as you wander through Chester, I’ll pop up in your ears at exactly the right moments, guiding you, telling stories, and pointing out the magical details you might otherwise miss.
Download VoiceMap
All you need to do is download the free VoiceMap app on your iPhone or Android device, pop in your headphones, and press play. From there, I’ll talk you through the route, show you where to go, and whisk you into the world behind the stories.
Download a Tour
Type Chester into the Search by Destination box, or simply tap the links above to find my tours. You can download a tour using WiFi or mobile data, just wait until every file has finished downloading, and then you’re free to switch off your data if you like. Everything you need, including the audio and maps, works perfectly offline. Just keep your phone out of airplane mode, as that turns off your GPS… and without GPS, I can’t magically pop up to guide you along the way.
Start a Tour
To get yourself to the starting point, open the VoiceMap app and tap Library at the bottom of the screen. Choose your tour, then press Get Directions and follow the route straight to where our adventure begins. Once you arrive, close the directions app and open the VoiceMap app, tap Start Tour, pop in your headphones, and I’ll be right there in your ears, ready to lead the way. You can even pop your phone away in your pocket, and if you take a wrong turn or get a bit lost, don’t worry, VoiceMap will gently nudge you back on track so you wont miss anything.
VoiceMap Frequently Asked Questions
What is a self‑guided tour? A self‑guided tour lets you explore a city, museum, or destination at your own pace, without a live guide.
How does it work? The app uses your phone’s GPS to play audio automatically as you reach each location. You can put your phone away and simply listen to the stories and directions.
Do I need data? No. My tours work fully offline, as long as you download them over Wi‑Fi before you start.
Can I start anywhere? My tours have a set starting point and follow a fixed route for accurate turn‑by‑turn guidance. You can use the Get Directions option to find the starting point and if needed, you can use the Resume option to continue from the nearest point.
Do I need to buy the books linked to the tours first? No, but it is recommended as the tours are designed as storybook trails as well as guided walks, so the book adds extra context.
Does access expire? No. Once you buy or redeem a tour, you have lifetime access and can listen as often as you like.
Can I share a tour? Tours are designed for individual use. If you’re walking together, each person usually needs their own copy. For driving tours, sharing is more common when playing the audio through a car’s sound system.
How do I pay? Tours can be purchased through the VoiceMap app or on the website.
Can I use multiple headphones? Yes, it’s possible on Airpods to pair more than one to an iphone and with Samsung devices you can use a feature called Dual Audio. Alternatively, you could use a physical splitters or and Bluetooth transmitter adapters, or share your headphones or play on your phones speaker.
Can I listen more than once? Yes. You can re‑download and replay any tour you’ve purchased.
Can I stop the tour whenever I like? Yes. You can pause, stop, or resume the tour at any time.
What if I get lost? The app uses GPS to keep you on track and helps guide you back to the route.
Do I have to use it on a specific date? No. It’s self‑guided, so you can take the tour whenever it suits you.
Can I cancel my audio tour purchase? Once purchased, my VoiceMap Chester audio tours are not refundable. However, your ticket will be valid indefinitely, so you can take the tour again either in person or virtually as many times as you like.
Can I gift my purchased ticket to someone else? No, you cannot gift a tour by transferring a tour already downloaded to your personal account. Instead, you can purchase and send official VoiceMap gift vouchers (valid for 3, 5, 8, or 12 credits) or use voucher codes to give specific tours to others. And great news, if you open the VoiceMap app and go to Tour Codes, you'll find a code you can share with friends and family to give them their first tour for free!
How do I redeem a code for your tour? Just, open your VoiceMap app on your phone and select Tour Codes from the bottom menu, then select Enter Codes. You will also find your unique invite code here to invite friends to VoiceMap. Alternatively, you can log into your account on a computer and select Vouchers and Redeem a voucher code). Enter the code you received then select Download Now. Codes are not case sensitive.
Can I take my dog? Most outdoor tours are dog‑friendly, but please check the tour details and plan ahead if you’re planning to stop anywhere along the route.
Are your tours accessible for disabled users? My tours are often accessible, but some may not be due to uneven surfaces or steps. I recommend checking the tour details before buying.
Can I listen at home? Yes, absolutely! You can use Virtual mode in the app or listen on the VoiceMap website using a computer while viewing the photos. The mobile app lets you read photo descriptions, while the desktop version allows you to open Google Maps and drop the Street View “little man” onto each tour point.
What if I don’t have a phone? Then you cannot take the tour in person but you can log into a computer and take it online.
How can I use Google Street View? Log in to VoiceMap on your computer, select the tour from My Library, then choose Listen on the Web. This gives you access to Google Maps with the tour locations pinned, which you can explore using Street View while listening to the audio. However, this does not work on the phone app.