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FAQ

What sort of tours do you do?

Every sort! My speciality is walking tours (there’s no better way to see a town or city than on foot) but I can tour for you on a coach or even on a boat! Some towns and cities lend themselves better to one type of tour than another. Just ask for details when discussing your needs.

What is the ‘Blue Badge’?

It is the official tourist guiding qualification in the UK. The country is divided into a series of regions and guides are qualified for one or more of these regions, following a series of practical examinations (on coaches, on foot, in churches, art galleries and so on). I hold three Blue Badges, one for London, one for the Heart of England (Central England) and one for the South West.

Do you charge a fee?

Yes I do! I do this for a living, not as a hobby or a sideline.

What do tours cost?

My prices are generally based on the recommended fees published by the Guild of Registered Tourist Guides, which can be viewed at http://www.blue-badge-guides.com/fees.html

How long do tours last?

That’s up to you. Bookings are for half days (morning, or afternoon or evening, up to 4 hours), or full days (up to 8 hours).

How can I book a tour?

Just e-mail me. Note that I don’t often run ‘public’ tours, where you just turn up and join a group, although it’s always worth checking on this.

Do I need to pay a deposit or cancellation charge?

In most instances I don’t take a deposit but issue an invoice for payment immediately on completion of the tour. I have a sliding scale of cancellation charges, which are detailed on my booking form/contract.

Are you VAT registered? No.

What is the maximum number on a tour?

With a vehicle it’s the capacity of the vehicle. On walking tours, I’m happy to take up to 30 people but find it starts to get uncomfortable for clients above about 25. I can always find and book additional guides for larger groups. Remember, any vehicle will always require a working microphone and PA system. This is absolutely essential.

Aren’t all guided tours more or less the same?

I would say not. I’ve been involved in different aspects of tourism for the best part of 20 years and have seen the industry from many different angles. I’ve carved something of a niche for myself giving people a slightly different, dare I say it slightly more ‘discerning’, experience. This is as true in a major tourist destination like London, Stratford-upon-Avon or Bath or in the more unusual destinations I do, like Birmingham, the Black Country, the Home Counties or Bristol.