Knaresborough begins recruiting tour guides

Knaresborough Town Council is seeking volunteer tour guides to lead free walking tours from next spring.

Mayor Margy Longhurst, who is a qualified Yorkshire Blue Badge Guide, is launching the initiative so that morning walking tours can run throughout the year and attract more visitors to the town.

The Stray Ferret reported in March that the town council had set aside £7,000 for training tour guides, which it is hoped will promote the town and boost business as well as provide a valuable service to visitors.

Now the search for individuals who enjoy meeting new people and want to share their passion and enthusiasm about the town with visitors from around the world has begun.

No prior experience or expert knowledge is needed as successful applicants will undertake a course starting in January 2025.

The course will run on Wednesdays from January until April. Those who undertake it will be awarded an Institute of Tourist Guides (ITG) White Badge, which is a sign of quality and professionalism in the guiding world.

Successful applicants will receive 21 hours of knowledge-based lectures on Knaresborough’s history and guiding theory and 18 hours of practical guiding training.

If you are interested in learning more, there is an open afternoon at Knaresborough House on Wednesday 16th October between 1.30pm and 4pm. The deadline for applications is Thursday, October 31. 

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