Meet the 23-year-old tour guide bringing history to life in Northumberland with Harry Potter and Game of Throne themed trips

Rob Lundgren Jones may only be 23 but already he has founded successful tour business, Lundgren Tours.

Combining Northumberland’s history with entertaining Harry Potter and Game of Thrones themes, Rob has found a winning formula that has been a hit with visitors.

Now Lundgren Tours has achieved a Tipadvisor Travellers' Choice Award after racking up numerous rave reviews on the site.

Proud mum Karen Lundgren Jones, who works the company’s marketing director, said the family found out about the award in August via email.

"Rob brings coach loads of visitors and students from Newcastle and Durham university to beauty spots in Northumberland and attractions such as Alnwick Castle, Bamburgh Castle, Lindisfarne and Holy Island,” she said.

"He offers something different with themed tours which see him dress up as characters – from a Viking warrior for a trip to Lindisfarne and Bamburgh or as Ron Weasley for a Harry Potter themed trip to Alnwick Castle.

“The themed guided tours mean that people are not just informed of the history but they are are also entertained.”

The dedicated tour guide even runs a Game of Thrones Tour of Hadrian’s Wall, with the landmark said to have inspired its writer.

Rob, who lives in Swarland, Northumberland, started the business aged just 19 while studying at Northumbria University in 2016.

Initially the tour business was set up as part of his degree, but it soon took off and Rob found himself making it his full time career after graduating.

Since then the company has gone from strength to strength, picking up a number of awards along the way including Tour Operator of the Year’ by the North England Prestige Awards 2020.

And the company remains a real family business, with dad Tim Jones also working as commercial director.

Karen said: “Rob loves Northumberland. He gets on well with people as he can relate to any age group, from children to seniors.”

The first Lundgren Tour following lockdown is due to take place on September 27.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive.

We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

If you can, please do pick up a copy when you are at the shops. Thank you for your support.