blue badge tour guide qualification

For those who would like full or part-time work guiding visitors around a region or metropolitan area on walking tours, at sites of interest, and using different methods of transport.

The opportunities are extensive. Whether you are interested in themed tours, working for tour operators, cruise ships, study tours or group tours, the Blue Badge qualification offers the ultimate in flexibility.

Covering a wide geographical area or metropolitan area, including flexible tours of sites, towns and tours throughout the area from a vehicle, e.g. car, coach or train.

An increasing number of Blue Badge Tourist Guides are qualifying as licensed driver-guides offering chauffeur-driven guiding, varying from antiques tours in the Cotswolds to looking after foreign journalists and film stars.

A Blue Badge course needs to have a minimum of 600 hours of study which will comprise a minimum of 360 contact hours plus private research and learning. It will often run part-time over 12 months. It is assessed by two written papers, a tour planning project and at least four practical guiding exams.

Training courses are usually organised by local guiding organisations. A list of current courses can be found here .

London Blue Badge Course 2024-2026

Application closing date: 20 Apr 2024

For over 50 years, a training course has been run for people that wish to become professional tourist guides in London.

Find out more about London Blue Badge Course 2024-2026

Liverpool Blue Badge Course

The Liverpool City Region Blue Badge qualification covers the City of Liverpool and the Merseyside boroughs of Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens as well as Halton.

Find out more about Liverpool Blue Badge Course

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London Blue Badge Guide, Mr Londoner, tells us about his favourite London event. “My favourite event is the Colour Walk. Spitalfields Market hosts this relatively un-discovered happening on the third Thursday of every month, to coincide with the Flea Market. I delight in ‘the hidden and the lost’ - and this is secret London at its very best. The Colour Walkers are creative types who revel in all things bright, flamboyant and outrageous. I love it because this special event brings all sorts of different people together - gay, straight, black, white, men, women or people in between. But all anyone really cares about is the colour and curation of the outfits - and the joy of the moment. The participants apply themselves rigorously to the task - yet the whole thing is so welcoming and inclusive. Adventurous guests love it. It offers a different perspective. And it’s an insight into a surprisingly witty, quirky and more diverse side of Old London Town.” Mr Londoner is writer, photographer and broadcaster Antony Robbins.

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• Home: Explore careers

Tourist guide

Alternative titles for this job include tour guide, blue badge guide.

Tourist guides show visitors around places of interest like cities, historic buildings and art galleries.

Average salary (a year)

£18,000 Starter

£30,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

28 to 30 seasonal

You could work

freelance / self-employed flexibly

How to become

How to become a tourist guide.

You can get into this job through:

• an apprenticeship
• a college course
• volunteering
• applying directly
• specialist courses run by private training organisations

You could do a travel and tourism qualification like:

• Level 2 Certificate in Travel and Tourism
• Level 3 Diploma in Travel and Tourism

This will give you an insight into the tourist industry and help you develop some of the skills to work as a tourist guide.

Having a language like French, German, Italian or Spanish, or a history qualification can also be useful for this type of role.

Entry requirements

You may need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

• search for courses
• funding advice
• equivalent entry requirements

Apprenticeship

You may be able to gain some of the skills needed in this role through apprenticeships like:

• Level 2 Customer service practitioner
• Level 3 Event assistant
• Level 3 Cultural learning and participation officer

To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• guide to apprenticeships

Volunteering

Organisations like the National Trust and English Heritage offer opportunities to gain experience as a tour guide through volunteering.

Direct Application

Many people become tourist guides as a second career, for example teachers who want to work during school holidays or actors who need work between acting roles.

If you have customer service, teaching or language skills or you have experience of working with people, you may be able to apply directly.

Other Routes

You can do 3 levels of training to get a tour guide badge:

• level 2 - white badge
• level 3 - green badge
• level 4 - blue badge

You can apply to local tourist guide associations for training, or major tourist attractions that run their own schemes.

Guide London offers blue badge training, which usually takes around 18 months, and some heritage organisations, like York Minster , have their own training courses.

Career tips

An outgoing and friendly personality, plus being able to speak a second or third language, will give you an advantage when applying for jobs. Experience of dealing with the public and giving presentations will also help.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a guide from the Institute of Tourist Guiding .

What it takes

Skills and knowledge.

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be flexible and open to change
• sensitivity and understanding
• an interest and knowledge of history
• a good memory
• knowledge of English language
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

What you'll do, day-to-day tasks.

In this role you could:

• guide people around a castle, gallery, historic house or garden
• escort groups of tourists around a site
• give information about the history, purpose and architecture of a site
• accompany groups on day tours to a number of places of interest
• answer questions and suggest other places to visit
• organise or arrange for additional trips and visits

Working environment

You could work at monuments and castles, in a museum, at an art gallery or in parks and gardens.

Your working environment may be physically active, outdoors some of the time and you'll travel often.

Career path and progression

With experience you could work for a tour operator as a regional tour supervisor or manager.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships in england, front office / reception apprentice at edf gloucester. september start.

• Wage: £15,312.00 Annually
• Location: Gloucester Business Park, Brockworth, Gloucester

Customer Service Specialist Apprenticeship

• Wage: £19,000.00 Annually
• Location: 250 KENNINGTON LANE, LONDON

Courses In England

• Provider: IFIELD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
• Start date: 01 September 2024
• Location: Crawley

Travel & Tourism

• Provider: SHIRELAND COLLEGIATE ACADEMY
• Location: Smethwick

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• The Blue Badge

Britain’s Official professional Tourist Guides

The Blue Badge is Britain’s national qualification for professional registered tourist-guides, awarded by the Institute of Tourist Guiding. It is recognised by quality tour operators and travel companies throughout the world as a bench mark of excellence.

Blue Badge tourist guides are the only guides (other that in-house guides) authorised to guide in, for instance, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and Windsor Castle.

The training normally lasts eighteen months with eight rigorous written and practical examinations. An important feature is that as well as acquiring knowledge, Blue Badge guides are tested in the way that the information is selected and presented – entertaining, informative and factually accurate.

The Blue Badge was first awarded in London in 1951 and then adopted as the national standard by British regional Tourist Boards from 1969. It is now awarded by the Institute of Tourist Guiding , which is the officially recognised standard-setting and awarding body for tourist guiding in England, Northern Ireland and Jersey.

The Blue Badge course has provided a model for guide training courses worldwide.

Your Personal Blue Badge Driver-Guide in London

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What is a Blue Badge Guide? – Why should you choose one?

Imagine embarking on a journey filled with fascinating stories, historical insights, and unique experiences, all guided by an expert whose knowledge and passion bring your surroundings to life. This is the essence of exploring a destination with a Blue Badge Guide – the gold standard in British Tour guiding.

So, what is a Blue Badge Tourist Guide?

Blue Badge Tourist Guides are qualified professionals carrying the UK’s highest tourist guiding qualification

They have exclusive guiding rights in many attractions

They have the depth of knowledge to offer unique experiences beyond a standard tour

The Blue Badge symbol serves as a mark of distinction in the field of tourist guiding

These are highly trained, accredited professionals with the highest tourist guiding qualification in the UK, awarded by the Institute of Tourist Guiding . What sets these experts apart is their comprehensive knowledge and passion for their work, which translates into an unparalleled experience for visitors.

The Path to Becoming a Blue Badge Tourist Guide in London

Becoming a Blue Badge Guide is no easy feat. Candidates must undergo a rigorous selection process to even enrol on the training course. If a candidate is accepted, the subsequent 2-year course is designed to ensure that trainee Guides possess the in-depth knowledge and expertise to provide exceptional tours and experiences for visitors.

Practical Exams and Assessments

Throughout their course, candidates must not only demonstrate their knowledge but also prove their guiding capabilities and understanding through practical exams and assessments.

During these exams, candidates are evaluated on various aspects, such as:

In-depth knowledge of the local area

Providing accurate and engaging commentary

Proficiency in guiding techniques

Familiarity with navigation and route planning

Effective communication and interpersonal skills

The ability to handle unexpected situations.

Itenary building and tour planning

Continual Professional Development

Blue Badge Guides take part in Continual Professional Development (CPD), a detailed semi-annual program, which helps them keep their knowledge current. This ongoing commitment to professional growth involves:

Attending workshops, seminars, and conferences related to tourism, history, and culture

Participating in guided tours

Researching new destinations

Staying informed on industry trends and developments

• Maintaining industry awareness through professional associations

Why should you choose a Blue Badge Guide?

There are several compelling reasons to choose a Blue Badge Guide for your next adventure. Here are just a few:

Exclusive access to major attractions

Customized tours tailored to your interests

In-depth knowledge and expertise

Professional and accredited guides

Personalized service and attention to detail

With a Blue Badge Guide, you can expect a travel experience that goes above and beyond the ordinary. Don’t just take our word for it, meet our expert guides .

Visitors have expressed their admiration for our tours and events led by Blue Badge Guides, praising their remarkable knowledge and ability to bring history, architecture, and backstories to life. With their expertise and passion, Blue Badge Guides create truly unforgettable experiences for travellers.

Exclusive Access: The Privileges of Blue Badge Guides

One of the most significant advantages of selecting a Blue Badge Guide is the exclusive access they enjoy at major attractions. As the only external guides permitted to conduct tours at sites like Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London, Blue Badge Guides provide a seamless and immersive experience for visitors.

These privileges allow visitors to ask questions and gain further knowledge about the topics that interest them most. There’s no more leaving your guide at the door and finding your way around an attraction!

Language Diversity: Speaking Your Language

Blue Badge Guides cater to a diverse range of visitors from around the world by offering tours in over 30 languages. This language diversity not only ensures effective communication but also allows visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the local culture and enjoy a more authentic experience.

To guide in a language other than their native one, guides must have their speaking proficiency assessed by the Institute of Tourist Guiding, guaranteeing their communication capabilities in the desired language.

Customized Tours, Tailored to Your Interests

Blue Badge Guides understand that each traveller is unique, with their own interests and preferences. That’s why they specialize in creating tailor-made tours based on your specific interests, ensuring a personalized and memorable experience.

Whether you’re passionate about literature, history, or film locations, Blue Badge Guides can design an itinerary that caters to your desires. Their ability to create customized tours makes a Blue Badge guided tour an ideal choice for travellers seeking a truly one-of-a-kind experience.

Working with Tour Operators and Travel Agents

Blue Badge Guides are trained and well-versed in planning an itinerary and building tours to fit within travellers’ schedules. This allows Travel agents and Tour Operators to have a local expert to help with varied challenges such as:

Permits for attractions

Itinerary design

On the day, the guide provides their clients with a seamless experience, without having to worry about local transport, navigation, meal stops and bathroom breaks. Beyond those basics guides are also insured and first aid trained to ensure a smooth and safe experience.

Let me show you London provides this service for many agents all over the world. Our local experts can plan and deliver the trip of a lifetime for your clients, contact us to find out more.

Tour Guides Top Tip

“Your time is precious, let an expert Blue Badge Guide help you plan and lead an unforgettable experience in London”

Leading tours in London is our livelihood, let us show you our amazing city

If you’re exploring the UK with a Blue Badge Guide you can be confident that you’re in the hands of a knowledgeable and passionate professional ready to bring your surroundings to life.

All of our guides at Let me show you London are blue badge qualified, you can meet our guides and browse our award-winning tours  in London at your leisure. When you’re ready to start planning your trip, contact us , we’re here to help!

Frequently Asked Questions about Blue Badge Guides

What does a blue badge tour guide do.

Blue Badge Tour Guides bring attractions to life with stories and insights. Guides lead walking tours of major sites but have the depth of knowledge to offer unique experiences beyond a standard tour.

What is the difference between green and blue badge guides?

Green and Blue Badge Guides are both highly trained, with the main difference being that Blue Badge Guides are qualified to work across an entire region, while Green Badge Guides are only qualified to work in a specific city.

How do Blue Badge Guides maintain their expertise and knowledge?

Blue Badge Guides strive to maintain their expertise and knowledge by engaging in Continual Professional Development, such as attending workshops, seminars and conferences, or conducting self-study, research, and reading.

Blue Badge Guide Training Course announced for 2023

Travel throughout scotland, develop your professional and personal skills, and make new friends.

The Scottish Tourist Guides Association (STGA) is the leading body for qualified professional tourist guides in Scotland and has over 60 years’ experience in this field.

The STGA has announced that the next Blue Badge Guide Training Course will take place from the autumn of 2023 to spring 2025. 

The Blue Badge Training Programme is accredited by the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) and is acknowledged internationally as being of the highest standard.

The 2023 - 2025 Course Prospectus and key dates and fees sheet are available to download on the STGA website. 

STGA Blue Badge Guide Course

Find out more and apply today, what are blue badge tourist guides.

Blue Badge Tourist Guides are a unique community of experts who are internationally considered the gold standard in tourist guiding in Scotland.

Would you like to travel throughout Scotland, develop your professional and personal skills, and make new friends? 

Upon successfully achieving your Blue Badge, you will be qualified and accredited to guide throughout Scotland, running your own business as a Scottish tourist guide. This is a rewarding, varied and flexible career that sees you meeting people from all over the world and from many different walks of life.

Find out what life is like from an STGA Guide by following #stgaguides on social media.

Tour guides play an essential role in the visitor experience in Scotland and in bringing to life the rich history and culture of our country. The Blue Badge Tourist Guide training programme offers people a fantastic opportunity to develop their professional and personal skills, to join a community of world class tourism ambassadors providing visitors to Scotland an unforgettable experience. Rob Dickson, Director of Industry & Destination Development, VisitScotland

Related links

Application extension for existing short-term lets, tourism - a force for good in scotland, tourism employment in scotland.

Individual Guided Tours of London and the UK by Private Car Driven by Blue Badge Guides

The blue badge.

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Why Book a Blue Badge Tourist Guide

This is what we do

All DGA members hold the coveted Blue Badge, the British national standard guiding qualification and internationally recognised bench mark of excellence. It is recognised by quality tour operators and travel companies, its professional status being acknowledged and respected by official bodies and throughout the industry.

Blue Badge Guides are selected, trained and examined under the the control of the Institute of Tourist Guiding and in Scotland The Scottish Tourist Guides Association. The training is detailed and comprehensive and the examinations are rigorous.

As well as acquiring knowledge, Blue Badge Guides are trained in the selection and presentation of material. This has been so successful that British trainers have trained guides all over the world, and the Blue Badge is recognised internationally.

They take pride in constantly updating their knowledge to enable their visitors to enjoy Britain's immense, unique and varied heritage.

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Alexander Davy

London Blue Badge Tour Guide

PROFESSIONAL, PRIVATE GUIDED TOURS OF LONDON

Alexander Davy — Your London Blue Badge Tour Guide.

Blue Badge Guides have undertaken an intensive 2 year course & have passed 11 exams helping them achieve the highest tourist guiding qualification in the UK, because of this they are the only external guides permitted to guide the major sites – e.g. St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey & Windsor Castle.

Registered Guide

Professional Tours

Lifelong Memories

TOURS FOR EVERY TIME OF THE YEAR!

As a Blue Badge guide and a London Black Taxi driver, I have an in-depth knowledge of London. Come rain or shine, I've got you covered  - you can rest assured the typically unpredictable British weather will not ruin our day, which makes it ideal to have a tour any time of year. 

1 TAXI TOURS

2 site visits, 3 out-of- town.

Taking a taxi tour is a fantastic way to see all the major sites in London. There is a four-hour & a six-hour tour, we will visit St. James's and Mayfair which are two of London’s most exclusive areas as well as:

• Big Ben • Buckingham Palace • Houses of Parliament • St. James Palace

• Westminster Abbey • Tower of London • Shakespeare’s Globe • Plus lots of hidden gems! 

Half Day: £399 (up to 4hrs, max 6 people)

Full Day: £550 (up to 6hrs, max 6 people)

DRIVING TOUR OF LONDON

There will be plenty of time to stop, so you can take photos and take a walk around to get the feel of the real London. I can customize the tour, adapting it to include your particular requests, or I can plan everything for you.

SITE VISITS

Below you will find 5 popular sites in London that my clients like to visit, you can choose any two sites for a four-hour tour. 

2 Landmarks: £249 (up to 4hrs, max 6 people)

TOWER OF LONDON

Is a huge castle in the middle of one of the biggest cities in the world, built in the eleventh century it has been a castle, a royal palace, a prison and even a zoo! We will see the Crown Jewels, the Beefeaters, the Ravens and find out about some of the fascinating people connected with the Tower.

CHURCHILL WAR ROOMS

Underneath the streets of Westminster is a perfectly time capsule that takes us back to WWII, the secret cabinet war rooms, where Winston Churchill helped defend the country in its ‘Darkest Hour’.

WESTMINSTER

A World Heritage site and one of the greatest churches in the world, it is where thirty kings and queens are buried, it is the nation's coronation church and is where 16 royal weddings have taken place. Amongst many other things we will see where Prince William and Catherine Middleton married in 2011, and we will see Henry VII’s Lady Chapel, one of the architectural highlights of the country.

BRITISH MUSEUM

Dedicated to human history, art and culture from historic times to the present, it’s collections are from ancient to modern cultures from around the world. It’s collection includes the Parthenon Marbles, the Rosetta Stone and the statue of Rameses II.

NATIONAL GALLERY

The National Gallery houses one of the greatest collections of Western Europe art in the world, dating from the 13th to the 20th century and painted by some of the world's greatest artists. The paintings range from medieval altarpieces, the Italian renaissance, the Dutch golden age to the work of the Impressionists.

ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL

Known as the ‘Nation's Church’, it has been the site of state funerals for some of our greatest military leaders and is where the nation goes to celebrate and express their sorrow. It is also one of the architectural highlights of London, completed in 1710 by the master builder Christopher Wren.

OUT-OF-TOWN

Below you can find details of some of my most popular out of town tours:  

Windsor £500

Hampton Court Palace £500

Windsor & Hampton Court Palace £725

Stonehenge £655 

Stonehenge & Bath £990

WINDSOR CASTLE

Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite home, and the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, which has been the family home of British kings and queens for almost a thousand years. We will visit St. George’s Chapel which has a Royal burial vault where Henry VIII & other monarchs are buried, and it was also the location of Prince Harry’s marriage to Meghan Markle. 

HAMPTON COURT PALACE

It consists of two palaces in one, a Tudor palace built in the early sixteen centuries and a baroque palace built by Sir Christopher Wren in the eighteenth century. We’ll see the largest surviving Renaissance kitchen in Europe capable of serving sixteen hundred meals a day and walk through Hampton Court Palace's beautiful gardens.

The most architecturally sophisticated prehistoric stone circle in the world with a history dating back over five thousand years, a place of enduring mystery, built as a temple - a place of ceremony, of burial and of celebration. Let me explain to you the difference between the Land of the Living & the Land of the Living!

Boasting numerous imposing landmarks and attractions, such as the Royal Crescent, Queens Square and the Pulteney Bridge, the city is most well known for its Roman Baths which are among the most significant historical sites in Europe.

HEAR FROM MY CLIENTS

“Our four-hour trip with Alex was fantastic. He took us to the expected sites….. He also took us to the not so familiar parts and shared knowledge that we otherwise would not have been able to experience on our own. Alex was very knowledgeable and a fun person to spend 4 hours with.”

Sonya - USA

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Blue Badge Guide Course

What is the blue badge course.

The Scottish Tourist Guides Association (STGA) offers a Blue Badge Training Programme for tourist guides in Scotland. This course uses the latest standards and allows you to establish your own qualified Blue Badge Scottish tourist guide business after completion. Blue Badge guides are qualified to guide Scotland-wide. While anyone can set themselves up as a guide, many people actively already involved in guiding or are new to guiding join the courses. Applicants recognise the need for training and the recognition that a guiding qualification brings when working with tour operators. Tour operators are aware of the training standards and will employ a trained qualified guide knowing that they will provide good guiding services and in turn will give visitors a quality experience.

What does the Blue Badge Course involve?

The 18-month STGA Blue Badge Training Programme is delivered in English through three integrated modules: Core Knowledge Regional Studies Professional Skills The delivery of these modules incorporates PowerPoint presentations, talks, seminars (delivered online and in class), group work, individual presentations, practical training on walks, sites and in moving vehicles, online resources, study away-days, written and practical assessments as well as ongoing feedback and discussion. Students are expected to be self-driven and take responsibility for their learning. The minimum requirement for self-directed study for this course is 1200 to 1600 hours.

2025 - 2027 Blue Badge Course

The next STGA Blue Badge Training Programme will begin in Autumn 2025. Blue Badge guide course numbers are limited to a maximum of 36 who: ☞ are absolutely committed to a future career as a professional tourist guide in Scotland ☞ can demonstrate the skills and attributes required of a professional tourist guide ☞ have the time and resources to commit to an intensive 18-month course ☞ are prepared to work substantial hours in the main tourist season (April-October) The STGA are now accepting expressions of interest for the 2025-27 Blue Badge Course. If you wish to express your interest in the course, please complete the form below.

The fee for the Blue Badge Course is likely to be in the region of  £7,500-£7,850:

• This price includes a first payment of 10% which is required to be paid on accepting a place
• As the course is completely self-funding, we regret there are no refunds if a student withdraws from the course/part of course/non-use of services provided

Please note that not all applicants will progress through all stages. You may have the opportunity to apply again if your application is unsuccessful at any stage, or you decide to delay your application.

Once offered a place on the course you will need to be available for the following classes:

• streamed lectures from 6pm on Wednesdays
• classroom sessions, field trips and practical guiding activities on Saturdays and Sundays, once or twice a month. These sessions take place in Central Scotland where possible, for example Glasgow, Edinburgh, or Linlithgow.
• one week in October for seminars and away days to different locations
• one week (with overnight stays) in July, when course activities will take place in different parts of the country.

Students must be prepared to commit a substantial amount of time to self study and preparation for assessments. 

Upon completion of the Blue Badge Guide Course and the Blue Badge exam, students become self-employed members of the STGA. Members of the Association get work via many different avenues including tour operators, Destination Management Companies (DMCs), shore excursions companies, and independent tourists.

Once qualified each guide is self employed. This means the amount an individual works as a guide is up to that individual. Tourism in Scotland is growing and there has not been any shortage of work in recent years. 

All STGA guides are self-employed members of the Association, it is up to each member to determine their own rates for the services they provide.

Our suggested guide rates can be found here .

Get in Touch

For all Blue Badge enquiries, please contact a member of our Training office team:

• Training Manager
• [email protected]
• 07944 470 371
• Training Support Administrator

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Westminster Abbey Tour

Explore Westminster Abbey, Britain’s most famous church and one of the most popular visitor attractions in London

A Westminster Abbey Tour is unmissable because…

Westminster Abbey is simply unique. Almost 1000 years old, it’s known as the royal church, built by kings for kings. Under its graceful gothic arches, history has been made…the coronations of 39 monarchs, many royal weddings, and state funerals. It’s also a sacred place of burial and commemoration. Look out for some very famous graves and memorials – some of which you may be surprised to see in the Abbey!

The must-sees of a Westminster Abbey Tour

• The Coronation site – see where Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in 1953.
• The spot where Prince William and Kate Middleton were married in 2011.
• The exquisite Lady Chapel – burial place of King Henry VII.
• The most important grave in Britain – The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior .
• The shrine of King Edward the Confessor .
• The tombs of Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots .
• The 700-year-old Coronation Throne .
• Poets Corner with tombs and memorials including William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and Geoffrey Chaucer .

Book a Blue Badge Tourist Guide for a Westminster Abbey Tour because…

• You’ll enjoy faster entry to Westminster Abbey.
• A guided tour of the highlights and the hidden gems.
• Expert knowledge of Westminster Abbey’s history and the lives of the people commemorated there.
• Fascinating accounts of royal marriages, coronations, and conflicts.
• Inspiring stories of pioneering scientists, writers, and statesmen.
• A tour tailored to the interests and needs of your group.

Please bear in mind that these are not public tours, but private tours conducted by specialist Blue Badge Tourist Guides who will charge a separate fee, details of which can be found on our fees page.

Let us 'Match' you with one of our Blue Badge Tourist Guides who are:

• Friendly, professional and used to dealing with groups of all ages and sizes
• Holders of the prestigious Blue Badge (the highest Tourist Guiding qualification in the UK)
• Able to use special entrances at certain well known attractions to avoid waiting in long lines
• Able to offer tours in over 30 different languages

Simply input your tour request details in the form below. When you have finished, hit the Green ‘Submit to Match’ button. Your request will be instantly emailed to three highly qualified and enthusiastic London Blue Badge Tourist Guides, matching your criteria. They will then email you confirming availability, pricing and suggestions for the tour itself. So let one of our 500+ Blue Badge Tourist Guides make your stay in London a special one.

Short notice request! We will do our best to accommodate your needs, but generally try to give at least two days notice.

Date of tour: Flexible dates Coming to London for a whole week? Let the guide know that the date is flexible, so they can suggest an upcoming event or a less crowded time for the tour. (+/- 3 days)

Language: Albanian Bulgarian Chinese (Cantonese) Chinese (Mandarin) Croatian Czech Danish Dutch/Flemish English Finnish French German Greek Hebrew Hindi Hungarian Italian Japanese Korean Lithuanian Polish Portuguese Romanian Russian Slovak Spanish Swedish Swiss-German Taiwanese Turkish Welsh

Duration: Morning Half day tour up to 4 hours maximum, usually expected to finish by 13:00 Afternoon Half day tour up to 4 hours maximum, usually expected to start by 13:30 All Day Full days are up to 9 hours, usually finishing no later than 18:00 Evening Only Half day tour up to 4 hours maximum, usually expected to start no earlier than 18:00

Travel by: Walking & Public Transportation Tour Explore London by walking and a variety of public transport (Underground, Black Cab, London double decker bus or even riverboat) Cycling Tour Cycle around London with a professional Guide. Bring your own bicycle or request the Guide to help you hire one. Driving Tour Get driven around in style by a professional Driver Guide. Usually for groups of up to 7 people. Coach Tour A tour for larger groups (typically 20+). Please tell the Guide if you have your own coach and driver, or request the Guide to help you hire one. Virtual Tour Explore London's top sights and attractions from the comfort of your home

Interests: Major London sites Museum and Galleries Beyond London Specialist Tours Westminster Abbey Tour

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