Ian Jelf

Official Tourist Board Registered Guide

for the

Heart of England & London

“Hello there and welcome!"

Do you think that all guided tours are the same? Dreary parades around souvenir shops, dry dates and meaningless history? Then think again!

I am a qualified “Blue Badge” tourist guide for two of the most fascinating regions of Britain: London and the Heart of England and I take a real pride in bringing the past and present of these places to life.

I carry out general or themed tours, from one hour to two weeks, depending on your or your group's requirements. Tours can be on foot, on a coach or even by canal boat!

So w hether you're from Britain or overseas, why not let me help your group to make the most of your time here.

Costs vary depending on the type of tour but are generally within the guidelines suggested by the Guild of Register Tourist Guides.

Get in touch to find out more. You’ll find out details of how to do so at the bottom of this page.

Please note that I am unable to provide general tourist information. However, the British Tourist authority has an excellent website which can answer all sorts of enquiries like that. Go to http://www.visitbritain.com.

The Heart of England.....

This is a fascinating, historic and beautiful part Britain. It encompasses great cities like Birmingham, Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon and the pretty Cotswolds.

Other attractions in the region include the magnificent Warwick Castle, historic centres like Lichfield, Worcester and Hereford and Shropshire, cradle of the Industrial Revolution.

By far the best way to get to know any city, town or village is on foot and I specialise in walking tours of a variety of places, large and small, popular and esoteric. Click here for more details.

London.....

Is truly one of the world's great cities.

Steeped in history and tradition, with the familiar landmarks like the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Saint Paul's Cathedral, countless museums and much more, it's also a very forward looking place with an unrivalled selection of shops, theatres and other entertainments.

But there's also the other London, the London of mysterious legends, forgotten side streets and obscure traditions like the Silent Change or the Swanupping.

Again, walking is a great way to explore. Click here for more details of walks in London.

About me!

Born in Birmingham in 1964, I've worked in tourism for more than 15 years. I qualified as a Blue Badge guide in my home region, the Heart of England, in 1993 and for London in 1998.

The Blue Badge (left) is awarded by Regional Tourist Boards in the UK following an extensive training and examination programme including written and practical examinations in a variety of subjects.

My specialist subjects include the city of Birmingham, Shakespeare's Stratford, the Cotswolds, Transport and Industrial Heritage and Broadcasting/Media. I also undertake themed "Ghost Walks" and can even help to arrange "Murder" Evenings and Weekends!

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the work is the chance to meet all sorts of different people. Clients have been many and diverse, from Mayor Daly of Chicago to several of the teams taking part in the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest! I have particular experience of working with journalists researching the region, including some from Switzerland and Germany

I am a member of two professional bodies, links to both of whom are included below:

The Heart of England Tourist Guides' Association (HETGA)

The Guild of Registered Tourist Guides

And for links to a variety of other useful sites of tourist and general interest, click here.

For further information.....

and to discuss your arrangements more fully, contact me.....

By e-mail.....

to ian@bluebadge.demon.co.uk

.....by telephone....

(07976) 251785 (International + 44 7976 251785)

....or by fax....

(0870) 164 1251 (International + 44 870 164 1251)