Top York Walking 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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Designed for travelers with a historical interest in the supernatural, this private 2-hour ghost tour of York — one of the most haunted cities in the world — allows you to customize your itinerary to suit you. Choose to visit sites with countless reports of ghost sightings, including York Minster, The Shambles, and The York Dungeon, and listen to frightening tales rooted in York’s 2,000-year-old history. The start time and location of your tour is up to you.

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.

Join for a discovery walking tour of York, which gives you a fantastic overview of this beautiful city. Understand the history of this great walled city (and walk on the walls), from Roman history, through the Vikings all the way to chocolate.

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.

Join multi-award winning entertainer The Magic Hatter as The Wizard of York. Ideal for ages 5-10 in particular, or big kids with a silly sense of humour and a passion for the wizarding world! A spellbinding 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!

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.

Discover the places to eat around York, and learn about the city’s culinary scene during this half-day walking tour. You’ll learn where to go for food that’s local or from faraway, suss out the places away from the tourist trail, and try an eclectic mix of flavors as you go. Nice touch: The tour is capped at just eight people per group for a more sociable and intimate experience.

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.

90 minute Daily Festive Walking Tours, exploring the History, Tales and Traditions of Christmases Past. The streets of York have been witness to celebrations for nearly 2000 years. Explore the medieval streets beneath the twinkling lights and discover the traditions and history of this Wonderful Winter City. Put your Christmas Jumper on and join Blue Badge Tourist Guide, Sarah Cowling, for a socially distanced experience to capture the Spirit of Christmas. Discover if York really England's most Christmassy City? Where did Rudolph get his Red Nose from? Which Grinch tried to cancel Christmas? and Which famous author read his stories in York and made us a present of Boxing Day? We will hear tales of Christmas Past, from the bacchanalian celebrations of Roman Britain to the Midwinter Feasts of the Vikings. They have all left their mark on our festivities today Come and get into the spirit of things in Britain's original Christmas City - we might even find some takeaway mulled wine!

As well as being full of architectural treasures, York also has a strong association with the world’s most famous wizard. Get an intimate glimpse into the city while visiting places significant to J K Rowling and Harry Potter on a magical walking tour, ideal for fans of the books and movies. Traveling on foot means you’ll avoid traffic and be able to stop at points of interest without the hassle of parking.

Immerse yourself in York’s millennia of history and ineffable atmosphere—and discover its top landmarks and its mysterious lore—on this walking tour. Meet your guide in the morning in central York, and set off on foot. You’ll get up close and personal with highlights like the Shambles and York Minster, will learn about the city’s connections to Harry Potter and its other myths and legends, and will spot secretive locations most visitors miss.