Eleanor is a historian and archivist with a passion for the UK's built and intangible heritage. With 20 years of experience in the museum and heritage sector, she specializes in genealogy and historical tourism. She advocates for slow travel that respects local communities and environments.
Eleanor Pembrooke studied History of Art at the University of Oxford before working as a curator for several prominent National Trust properties. Her career has evolved into specialized consultancy for sustainable tourism, where she promotes 'conscious exploration' of the British Isles. She is an expert in genealogical research, guiding individuals through parish registers and national archives to uncover their ancestry beyond simple DNA tests. Eleanor's deep knowledge of British folklore, from stone circles to medieval banquets, allows her to distinguish authentic cultural experiences from tourist traps. She writes extensively on preserving heritage crafts like blacksmithing and weaving, and champions the 'slow travel' movement, encouraging visitors to utilize public transport and support hyper-local economies. Her work also covers the practicalities of preserving family history, such as digitizing heirlooms and cleaning gravestones without causing damage, ensuring that personal and national histories are protected for future generations.