British Guild Of Tourist Guides

Blue Badge Tourist Guides are the official, professional tourist guides of the United Kingdom - recognised by the local tourist bodies and VisitBritain. The Blue Badge is the UK's highest guiding qualification, awarded only after extensive training and thorough examination. https://buff.ly/2QXoRYR

Fashion tells the story of social status. At London's Victoria and Albert Museum there is a collection of Tudor women’s corsets. If you were rich you had servants to fasten you up at the back; if you were poor you had a front-closing corset. https://buff.ly/3173aGG London Fashion Week Victoria and Albert Museum

On this day in 2015 Q Elizabeth II became Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Clocking up 67 years on the throne she is also the longest-reigning female monarch in world history. Learn more about her life on our Royal London tour. https://buff.ly/2IL6ZeZ

Think of Churchill and accessories come immediately to mind: cigars; canes; bow ties and onesie-like siren suits. Move over Lady Gaga. Winston – a short, fat, bald man with a lisp – was an unlikely style icon. And he just loved a hat. Blue Badge Guide Antony Robbins explores some of the more unlikely aspects of the great man’s personality, quirks, achievements and his headwear. https://buff.ly/2HFK5Ui

In 1966 the Severn Bridge, linking England & Wales, opened. Wales offers visitors a wonderful landscape. From the snow-capped peaks of Snowdonia, to the mighty fortress castles of Caernarfon and Caerphilly. Here is a guide to the top ten places to visit. https://buff.ly/2UBn0Hf

On this day in 1533 Queen Elizabeth I was born at Greenwich Palace - birthplace and favourite residence of England’s most controversial king and his daughters, Queens Elizabeth I and ‘Bloody’ Mary I. Take our guided tour of Greenwich and we'll tell you about it's 500 years of extraordinary history beginning with King Henry VIII and his now sadly lost Tudor palace. https://buff.ly/2tmSzsf

"Outside Chichester Cathedral is a statue of St Richard who wrote the prayer asking God that he might “know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly” – words which became very well known in the theme song of the musical Godspell." Our Guides share some of their favourite places around the UK. https://buff.ly/2Xywbx6

In 1997 the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales took place in Westminster Abbey. The service was watched by millions of people around the world. Take a trip to Westminster Abbey with one of our expert guides and see for yourself where the sad event took place. https://buff.ly/2PHKXZu

Churchill was a towering figure of the 20th century. He was a risk-taker, rule-breaker and style icon. Modern leaders try to emulate him. Churchill’s life is a contradiction. It was peppered with failure, bad decisions and a less-than-promising academic start. Yet none of this overshadowed his victory in Britain’s darkest hour and his place as our greatest ever Prime Minister. https://buff.ly/2HFK5Ui

This autumn The Crown returns to our screens. Whilst you're waiting why not take one of our Crown tours of the UK and explore some of the people, palaces, stately homes, castles and churches that feature in the programmes. https://buff.ly/2XHIALx

Think of Churchill and accessories come immediately to mind: cigars; canes; bow ties and onesie-like siren suits. Move over Lady Gaga. Winston – a short, fat, bald man with a lisp – was an unlikely style icon. https://buff.ly/2HFK5Ui

In 1666 St Paul's Cathedral burnt down in the Great Fire of London. It took 35 years to rebuild the Cathedral as we know it today. Take our tour of St Paul's Cathedral and learn more. https://buff.ly/2TbvXJf

On the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the Second World War, we explore some of the more unlikely aspects of the wartime Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill's personality, quirks and achievements. https://buff.ly/2HFK5Ui

As Downton Abbey hits the big screen, we take a look at all the London locations that featured in the TV series depicting York. Turns out you can take a tour of provincial Downton Abbey locations without ever leaving the capital. https://buff.ly/2zrMlKd Downton Abbey

As Downton Abbey hits the big screen, what better time to remind yourselves of all scenes in the television series depicting York that were actually shot in central London. https://buff.ly/2zrMlKd

In a baker's shop on Pudding Lane in 1666 the Great Fire of London began. It raged for days and destroyed much of the City of London. Take our guided tour of London and see where it started. https://buff.ly/2Uca36t

The camera never lies – or does it? In the world of film, yes! Many of the scenes in the television series of Downton Abbey depicting York were shot in central London. In the new film version, continuity of location to eagle-eyed Downton fans will be just as important. https://buff.ly/2zrMlKd Downton Abbey

On this day in 1888 Jack the Ripper murdered his first victim. The notorious “Whitechapel Murderer” appeared in the poverty-stricken East End of London, brutally murdered and mutilated several prostitutes, then disappeared and we still, to this day, have no idea who he was. https://buff.ly/2HtSl9G