Top York Historical Tours

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.

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.

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.

You don’t have to join a tour group to discover York. This audio walking tour lets you set the pace and pick up and drop the route when it suits you. Hit all the signatures—York Minster, Stonegate, Mansion House, the Shambles, one of the best-preserved medieval streets in the world—and more. The app works online or offline, including geodata, so you won’t need to waste money on roaming charges.

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.

Delve into the dark recesses of York’s history on this evening ghost bus tour. With your spooky local guide, visit notorious local haunts of restless spirits, and pass eerie sites such as York Minster, Clifford’s Tower, and the grave of Dick Turpin, infamous highwayman and murderer. Throughout the tour, hear anecdotes and fascinating facts about York’s grisly past, and make key stops for a closer look at the city’s most haunted buildings. 

Journey back in time on a hop-on hop-off bus tour of York, England’s quintessential medieval town. Your flexible 24-hour ticket enables you build a custom itinerary of York’s main attractions such as The Stonebow, Clifford’s Tower, Museum Gardens and more. With unobstructed views from the open-top viewing deck and 20 possible stops around town, you have the best of the city at your fingertips.

See the historic city of York from a different perspective during a 45-minute or 1-hour cruise on the Ouse River. Relax during a leisurely sail, accompanied by commentary that details the history and culture of York, and enjoy unobstructed views of landmarks such as Clifford’s Tower and the York Museum and Gardens. Choose from several departure times to suit your schedule.

Puzzle fans need look no further than this immersive York treasure hunt murder mystery, set in 1491, that’s sent to your phone (over the Telegram app) as a series of riddles. Discover classic sights and quirky delights as you unravel each cryptic clue, unlock the path to the next location—and bring the criminal to justice. You’ll cover around 2.5 miles (4 kilometers), with two optional pub breaks en route.

Swap city sightseeing for a peaceful day on the water in York. With this boat hire experience, enjoy the privacy of being able to drive your own boat and plan a personalized route. Each boat can accommodate up to six passengers, and a map is provided so you don't get lost.

From plague to Vikings to butchery and murder, discover York’s sinister underbelly on this family-friendly tour led by a guide known for his dark sense of humour. See sights such as York Minster, the Shambles and Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma Gate, the silliest street in England, as you hear tales of bygone days, vile crimes and things that go bump in the night.

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.

The Dark Chronicles York, is a a very different kind of walking tour to be attempted only by the bravest and most intrepid of explorers. Let us take you on a journey through Yorks darkest secrets, 2000 years of terrifying history. Be sure before you come with us...Once you have seen Yorks true face, you will never forget it!

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.

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.

Join award winning entertainer The Magic Hatter as The Wizard of York for spellbinding magic, comedy and a dash of York's history! Ideal for ages 5-10 in particular, or big kids with a silly sense of humour and a passion for the wizarding world... A family-friendly alternative to the many ghost walks and terror trails, this tour focuses on FUN over frights. A truly magical and memorable experience that wizard fans will go Potty for!

Join us on a relaxed journey through history, myths, legends and architecture. Discover how the medieval city thrived and developed to become the city we all love today. Our guides deliver a fun and unique take on York mixing history, sightseeing and exploration to offer a unique insight into York, passing the largest medieval gothic Cathedral in Northern Europe, old cobbled streets, Guild Halls, scenic views of our rivers, devils doors and so much more. We cover all the important landmarks of York and go off the beaten track to places you may not think of going. We are all stories in the end, write yours with us!

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.

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.

Without a hire car, it’s impossible to round up the sights of the Yorkshire Dales National Park in a day from York. This small-group tour delivers: with a minivan drive through Swaledale and Wensleydale, stone-walled hills, winding passes, and villages. See Jervaulx Abbey, waterfalls, and market towns, break for lunch (own expense), and get a full rundown on the area from a guide—something you’d miss if going alone.

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.

Swap York for a small-group day trip to Whitby and the North York Moors National Park. Visit dispersed outdoor sights that would be hard to get to without your own car, and enjoy free time to explore Whitby independently and see its famous abbey, Captain Cook-themed attractions, and fish and chip shops. The trip also shows you great photo opportunities at the North York Moors, Helmsley, and other picturesque English villages.

Experience York at its most atmospheric around sundown, after the tourist hordes have departed but before the night begins. This evening stroll hits the highlights, including York Minster, the City Walls and Shambles, but also takes you deep into the “Snickelways”, a medieval warren of secret passages, shortcuts and hidden alleys. Guides carry iPads with multimedia to bring the tour to life, while you’ll take home a map of York.

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 (the price is per group). As it is a private tour 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.