Top York Historical Tours

Venture into the wild and windswept lands of the North York Moors on this full-day tour from York. Drive through the countryside to reach North York Moors National Park and enjoy a walk amongst nature. Learn the legacy of Dracula and Captain James Cook in the seaside resort of Whitby. Next, spot filming locations from British TV series 'Heartbeat' and the Harry Potter movies in Goathland, where you board the famous North Yorkshire Moors steam railway for a spectacular ride home.

With beautiful architecture and medieval history, York is widely considered among England’s must-see cities—but pounding the sidewalks on foot takes time and effort. On this tour, hop into the saddle and spin through the city streets by bicycle, and hit top attractions like York Minster with ease. Follow safe routes inside and outside the ancient city walls, with your guide bringing York’s colorful Roman and Viking history to life.

Skip the standard group tours and enjoy an alternative history of York during this award-winning, immersive guided tour of the city. Pass by top attractions—such as the Shambles and Jorvik Viking Centre—as you listen to your guide tell tales of witches, queens, and murderers that you wouldn’t hear on most other tours.

Don’t worry about getting lost in the winding streets of medieval York during this introductory tour of the city, ideal for first-time visitors and those with limited time in the region. See several York highlights—including St Mary’s Abbey, York Minster, and The Shambles—without worrying about directions, while benefiting from the insight of your guide throughout.

See a spookier side to York without the worry of getting lost during this guided ghost walk around the streets and snickelways (alleys) of the medieval city. Listen to your guide tell tales of York’s tragic past that you wouldn’t otherwise hear, ask questions along the way to learn more, and enjoy an atypical introduction to the city.

Uncover the medieval marvels of historic York on a bespoke walking tour with a private guide. Learn about York’s rich history as you walk around the centuries-old walls, pose for photos with a backdrop of the city or visit the wall museums (not included). Your private tour is yours to customize as you please, so you could also pay a visit to York Castle, stroll down the atmospheric The Shambles or take a peek inside the magnificent York Minster.

The Deathly Dark Tour is a family friendly experience, perfect for those who have a bit of a wicked streak and are looking to explore the darker side of the city with tour guide famous for his wonderfully dark sense of humour.

Escape the city for the wild landscapes of the Yorkshire moors on this full-day tour from York. Set out on a scenic drive through the North York Moors National Park; visit sites from the 'Harry Potter' movies in Goathland like the location used for Hogsmeade station in the first film. Enjoy free time to explore the seaside town of Whitby, where you can learn the legacy of Dracula and try the town’s famous fish and chips (own expense), before visiting the market town of Helmsley.

Explore Wensleydale, Littondale and Nidderdale, and discover the delights of the English countryside on this Yorkshire Dales day trip from York. Visit sites of interest including Askrigg and the market town of Hawes before delving deep into the heart of the mighty Yorkshire Dales National Park to enjoy panoramic views over Kilnsey Crag. Travel through Buckden to the picturesque village of Kettlewell, and explore sites made famous in popular British films and television programs. Then, visit the world’s oldest candy shop before returning in comfort to York.

Discover the rugged beauty of rural north England on this 8-hour North York Moors and Whitby day trip from York. Explore Hutton-le-Hole and Goathland, famed filming locations for the Harry Potter movies. Delve into the North York Moors National Park for panoramic views over the rolling countryside. Soak up Whitby’s seaside atmosphere at your leisure, perhaps visiting Whitby Abbey, the port or the Captain Cook Museum. Return via the Hole of Horcum and enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to 16 people.

See York in a different way—via an environmentally-friendly pedicab. With a local guide, explore the highlights of the city including Minster Yard, King's Manor, Exhibition Square, Bootham Bar, and more. Choose from two lengths of tours, depending on how much time you have and how much you’d like to see.

Take a break from bustling York on a full-day tour of Haworth and the Yorkshire Dales, and travel across the mountainous region with ease via air-conditioned vehicle. Discover the region’s top attractions, including the home of the Brontë family, Bolton Abbey, and Penistone Hill, and benefit from insights provided by your guide, as well as the more personalized experience of a small-group tour.

Delve into England’s colorful history and admire architecture dating back to the Middle Ages on this morning or afternoon York walking tour. Follow a guide through the streets of York and discover landmarks including Bedern Hall, Clifford’s Tower, Fairfax House, King’s Manor, the Multangular Tower, St. Mary’s Abbey, Stonegate, and St. William’s College. Hear how Emperor Constantine, Guy Fawkes, and Richard III shaped modern York, and learn of the English Reformation as you explore York Minster.

The tour is back for 2021! It is especially aimed at those who are looking to have an enjoyable, entertaining walking tour combined with a focus on capturing the magic of the beautiful city of York for your memories & social media posts. The tour lasts 3 hours and takes you off the beaten track into areas that visitors often miss. You will learn some history and experience some wonderful sights and you will make a connection with the city that will stay with you. I believe in creating intimate experiences & moments that stay with you. The maximum group size I normally work with is limited to 10. However, in line with Government guidelines this is reduced to 5 for now. Small groups mean everyone stays involved & engaged & you can ask as many questions as you like. It also means there is always someone to help you to create your images with tips on how to capture the perfect shot or to take shots of you against some stunning backdrops that will get plenty of reaction on social media.

Explore an extraordinary 2,000 years of history on this walk through the City of York. You'll experience Roman, Viking and medieval York, see all the sights of the City, including some of the great buildings of the world - and some less expected ones. As you walk you'll learn the history of this great City, and the central role it played in the history of England. From its humble beginnings as a riverside Roman settlement, to its turbulent takeover by the Vikings, and on to its thriving medieval period. You’ll hear about kings and queens, and the lives of ordinary people and hear stories of invasions, executions, personal sacrifice, floods and even ghosts. So, if you’re visiting York, uncover some of the great figures and lesser known characters that have shaped this beautiful city by the River Ouse. The tour is ready whenever you are and the audio plays automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smartphone's GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which also works offline.

York is at its most magical around sundown. The tourist crowds have departed, the streets are empty. Enjoy a one-hour evening stroll which includes all the major sights of York - including the Minster, walls and world-famous Shambles - but will also take you deep into the medieval labyrinth of secret passages and short-cuts known as 'Snickelways'. There are plenty of ghost tour options in York - but why listen to stories when the truth is far more surprising? The early evening start time is perfect for working up an appetite. Informal, entertaining and 100% phantom-free. PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR VISITORS' SAFETY IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE - WE PLEDGE TO FOLLOW ALL CURRENT GUIDELINES ON SOCIAL DISTANCING AND TO ENSURE THIS THE TOURS ARE LIMITED TO A CAPACITY OF SIX PEOPLE PER GUIDE.

Learn about York's history and legends on a 2-hour Viking walking tour with a private guide, Sigwulf. You'll walk through town to see historical landmarks and listen to stories from the Viking days. Departure time is flexible to suit your preferences.

The North York Moors National Park and Whitby make ideal day trips from bustling York, but organizing your itinerary and travel arrangements independently can be time-consuming. On this private tour, reach both sites with ease from your York hotel. Discover top attractions including 7th-century Whitby Abbey, and see the best of England’s beautiful northern countryside in a comfortable maximum group size of 15.

Journey to the heart of the Lake District on this full-day tour from York and uncover the charms of England’s oldest national park. Follow in the footsteps of Beatrix Potter as you visit her home at Hill Top, see William Wordsworth’s former school in Hawkshead and cruise across Windermere, England’s largest lake. Along the way, admire beauty spots like Tarn Hows and explore traditional villages like Skipton and Bowness-on-Windermere.

Why follow the crowds? Explore York at your own pace in the company of one of our expert, fully qualified and licensed guides. Delve deep into the medieval maze and discover secret corners few other visitors get to see. This is an entirely personal service - once you have made your booking we will get in touch to arrange where to come and meet you (such as any city centre landmark or hotel). We will ensure you don't miss any of the highlights - including the world-famous Minster, medieval city walls and Shambles - but if you have any particular areas of interest, please get in touch. It's your tour and we want you to see York your way! PLEASE NOTE - OUR VISITORS' SAFETY IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE AND WE PLEDGE TO FOLLOW ALL CURRENT GUIDELINES ON SOCIAL DISTANCING AND DISEASE PREVENTION.

Our experienced guide will tell you tales from Yorks gruesome past, executions, ghosts and dark deeds, as we wend our way round some of the scariest places in the city. As this is by private booking it is exclusive for your group. We can be flexible about your exact requirements, start time and pick-up point. We offer hotel pick ups* and as we can start at different locations the tour route can be customised. *City centre only.

Visiting Castle Howard and Fountains Abbey in a day from York is near-impossible without car rental. This private tour makes it easy, with private transport and a driver-guide to take you via scenic routes and introduce sights and photo ops along the way. Visit Castle Howard before exploring UNESCO-listed Fountains Abbey and the adjoining water gardens of Studley Royal Park, all at your own pace. Entrance fees at own expense.

If you’re short on time or trying to fit in a lot during your vacation, one day is all you need to experience the history and wild beauty of Northern England. This private tour of Bronte Country and the Yorkshire Dales National Park from York encompasses top attractions such as Bolton Abbey, Bingley Five Rise Locks, and breathtaking moors. The tour includes the West Yorkshire Pennine Village of Haworth, made famous by the Bronte sisters and home to the Bronte Parsonage Museum. In Haworth you will also discover quaint cobbled streets and traditional tea shops.

With rich Roman and Viking history, and beautiful architecture, York is widely considered among England’s must-see cities—but exploring independently means you may miss its hidden secrets. On this tour, follow your private guide through historic York and find out what makes the city special. Explore top attractions like Clifford's Tower, the Jorvik Viking Centre, the Roman walls, and St Mary’s Abbey, and enjoy sweeping views along the River Ouse.