Project Manager, James Mellish, shares more about building a new generation of guides.
The Abbey of St Edmunds Reborn Project is helping to forge stronger connections between St Edmundsbury Cathedral and the historic town of Bury St Edmunds, with a pioneering guide training programme creating a new generation of ambassadors for both destinations, in conjunction with Bury St Edmunds Tour Guides.
St Edmundsbury Cathedral recently celebrated the accreditation of 11 new White Badge tour guides, formally recognised at a presentation ceremony on 11 June 2026. Approved by the Institute of Tourist Guiding (ITG), the White Badge confirms that guides have the knowledge and skills to confidently lead tours within the Cathedral.
The new White Badge Guides with their certificates.
The accreditation marks the culmination of an intensive training programme that began in January 2026. Participants undertook lectures, extensive independent research and rigorous examinations, including answering 100 questions in just 60 minutes and delivering information at randomly selected locations.
Importantly, this is the first programme of its kind in the country to link White and Green Badge training. Developed through a partnership between St Edmundsbury Cathedral and Bury St Edmunds Tour Guides, the initiative reflects the collaborative spirit at the heart of the Abbey of St Edmunds Reborn Project. The course was led by Mike Dean, Adrian Tindall and Lynn Whitehead of Bury St Edmunds Tour Guides, alongside the Cathedral’s Librarian, who provided specialist expertise on the Cathedral’s rich history and heritage.
The newly accredited guides are already progressing towards Green Badge status, which will enable them to lead tours of the Abbey ruins and the wider town. By creating guides who can interpret both the Cathedral and the wider Abbey precinct, visitors will enjoy a more joined-up experience of Bury St Edmunds’ remarkable heritage.
With the town’s guides handling more than 3,500 bookings annually and both the Cathedral and town attracting national and international recognition, this innovative partnership demonstrates how working together can enrich visitor experiences and ensure the stories of St Edmund’s Abbey continue to inspire future generations.
