First official tour of 'Kate Middleton country' kicks off

We've already seen T-shirts, mugs, plates, cufflinks and, ahem, condom souvenirs celebrating the upcoming royal wedding, but this weekend saw the first official coach tour of Berkshire landmarks associated with Kate Middleton hit the road.

Excursion company Mortons is making the most of royal wedding fever by offering £10 tours of what it is describing as 'Kate Middleton Country' - Bucklebury in Berkshire, where she grew up.

Company owner Adam Morton is hoping the Berkshire tours will be a hit, especially with overseas tourists. He told the BBC: 'We have companies in America and Japan looking to try and hire our coaches to do tours.'

Key sights along the route include a glimpse of the houses where Kate grew up, the schools - St Andrew's and Marlborough College - where she was educated, and the church in which she was christened.

You can also enjoy a bevvy at the Old Boot Inn, the local pub that Kate and William have been known to drink in.

Wynne Frankum, chair of Bucklebury Parish Council, concedes that it will be good for village tourism, but that locals are fiercely protective of the soon-to-be princess.

Frankum told the BBC: 'This is her home. Her family have been in the village and the parish all her life. We are privately proud. People have been very protective of Kate for a long time and we respect her privacy'.

Would you be interested in going on a tour of 'Kate Middleton country'? Let us know below...


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