Guiding Qualifications

Of course you want to shop around for the best tours to suit you, but the old saying goes that you get what you pay for. Since Liverpool was awarded the title 'European Capital of Culture' in 2008, the number of tour guides multiplied - with not all of them qualified or licensed.  The only recognised tour guides in Liverpool hold at least one of the following certifications. My qualifications attained in 1995 are highlighted with bold print. I am a Blue Badge Guide, and Official Beatleguide. We have had TWO YEARS training and have ongoing reviews. The exams are tough with THREE HOUR written exams on The Beatles, and practical exams on coaches. This certainly sorted out the REAL fans from the chancers, and there are only a handful of guides with the top accolades.

The taxi tours are stating that all their drivers do a 3 week (uncredited) training course so you dont need a blue badge guide, and this may be true for casual fans, but for real fans making a huge effort to visit Liverpool on a pilgrimage, then a Blue Badge Guide and official Beatleguide will give you satisfaction guaranteed.

Standard British Qualifications

Top Level 4: Blue Badge Guide - the elite of Britain's tour guides.

Level 3: Green Badge Guide - Highly trained guides specifically for the local area

Level 2: Site Specific, eg cathedrals, stately homes

See www.itg.org.uk for further details

Local qualifications:

Official Beatleguides - Blue & Green badge guides additionally certified as Beatle Experts

'Beat Factor' guides -  Guides who completed a specific Beatle course in 2008 for Capital of Culture year

08 Guides - Liverpool language guides qualified to cope with demaind in the Capital of Culture year fo 2008

There are also a small number of qualified Black History Guides and Performance guides recognised.