During the 18^th and 19^th century, it was fashionable for wealthy British families to send their sons, and occasionally daughters, on a Grand Tour. This saw privileged young men and women setting off usually from London to travel across Europe. The tourists were affluent enough to spend multiple years on the Tour. They would often carry letters of introduction with them to mix with society while abroad.

John Carr (1764-1817) and Harriet Carr (1771-1848) were siblings who set out on their Grand Tour in 1791, returning to England in 1794. They were the children of successful northern businessman Ralph Carr and his wife Isabella.

Ralph and Isabella were initially against Harriet going on the Grand Tour but eventually gave their approval because it was thought that the tour would benefit Harriet’s health – she had a cough thought to be tuberculosis. Some of their objections were around fears of the political situation in Europe and potential dangers to travellers. John and Harriet’s ultimate destination was Italy, travelling via France and Switzerland.

John and Harriet spent almost six months in Rome with short trips to Bologna, Florence, Naples, and Turin. They had planned to leave for England in early 1792 but the outbreak of the Franco-Austrian War prevented this. They returned to Florence in May 1792, staying there until November 1793. In December 1793 John and Harriet made a final visit to Rome before leaving for England and arriving home in the summer of 1794.  

Ralph Carr (1711-1806) was a Newcastle based merchant who was involved in banking, the import and export of goods to Europe and America, landholding, ship owning and underwriting. Ralph’s financial success had allowed the family to move from merchant to gentry status. Ralph was money-smart and was able to increase the family wealth considerably. When Ralph died in 1806 he was worth about £200,000.

This is a note written by John Carr listing the money given by his father to fund the Grand Tour.

The note records a total spending of £2910 over the entire trip – August 1791-September 1794. The Bank of England Inflation Calculator shows that this amount is equal to about £412,000 today. It has been suggested that this was quite a small amount for a three-year Grand Tour for two people and their servants.

It was dangerous for people to carry money while on the Grand Tour as there was a risk of robbery. Instead, tourists relied on letters of credit. These were agreements that allowed the tourist to draw money from their British bank’s agents in the major tourist cities aboard.

The major costs of the Grand Tour were accommodation, food, and transport. John and Harriet travelled in a family carriage but took the precautions of removing the coat of arms that decorated the carriage before setting off on their tour.

Accommodation was required for four people – John, Harriet and their servants, Dolly, and Stephen. Travel costs included the hire of a postilion or guide who was familiar with the route, and stabling and food costs for horses.

Tourists also spent money on clothing and entertainment. If the Tour was a long one, new clothes may be needed, and tourists were expected to dress well with some being keen to follow local fashions.

Entertainment, for example, theatre and opera, were generally inexpensive.

1791    After leaving England recd. [received] 

Rome Decr. [December] 10^th                                      500 0s 0d 

1792    Florence June 6^th recd. [received] in notes                 200 0s 0d 

Do.          Octr. 6^th  6^th recd. [received] in do.              300 0s 0d 

Credit on Jenkins at Rome for                                                200 0s 0d 

£700 0s 0d 

1793    Feby 19^th Credit on                                          

Messrs. Orsi & Co. Florence for                                              500 0s 0d 

Sept. 19^th recd. Credit on Orsi & Co. for                                 500 0s 0d 

£1000 0s 0d 

1794    Rome April 9^th recd. [received] Credit 

On Rome, Florence, Munich for Florence                  400  

Florence Augt. 1 drew for                                           100  

Do.          Do.     5 drew for                                          50 

Recd. [received] in Circular Notes from Sir. R.H.         

Inspruck [Innsbruk] Aug. 13^th                                     100 

London Sepr. 8 recd. [received] of Sir. R.H.               50 

Dunston Hill Sepr. 13 recd. recd. [received]              10 

Do. Oct. 26 recd. [received] £25 paid [?] for horse    £710 

Of the Credit for £400                                                 400 

drawn for at Rome in May                                          100 

at Florence in July                                                       180 

recd. [received] in London                                          120 

400