York tours, things to do and tickets

The Deathly Dark Tour of York is a grim and theatrical, dark comedy walking tour, perfect for those who have a bit of a wicked streak and are looking to explore the dark history of the city with one of our guides, famous for their wonderfully dark sense of humour.

Please note, this is not a scare attraction. The tour is family friendly, but children must remain with their parent/guardian at all times.

Tour group size is 20-50 people, although this will change depending on the season. Private and small group tours are available on request.

The Bloody Tour of York is the multi award winning* tour of the City and has recently won the Arival Best Sightseeing Tour in Europe Award 2024.
Join Mad Alice as you wander down the medieval streets hearing the gruesome history the city has to offer. Ghosts, Witches, murderers, Kings and Queens have all left their bloody footprints.
An entertaining, educational and a fascinating look at Britain's best loved city, Mad Alice promises a night to "Remember, remember..."
Suitable for all ages.

Discover York’s sinister side on this 1-hour ghost bus tour, led by a hellishly hilarious guide. Visit some of city’s spookiest sights and learn about the restless spirits whose sightings have earned York the accolade of the most haunted city in the world. From your blood red seat aboard a Routemaster — a classic double-decker bus — pass by top historical attractions such as York Minster, Clifford’s Tower and the grave of the notorious highwayman Dick Turpin.

We offer a guided historical tour of the fabulous city of York, the Capital of the North. Step into history with one of our knowledgeable guides and see the amazing sights of the city and hear all the history behind them. Our tours are guided by experienced historians and can be up to 3 hours in length, with breaks for refreshments if you wish, depending on your requirements.

Dare you take a trip into the past and uncover some of York’s turbulent and tragic history? A past that manifests itself in the unexplained sightings of shadows haunting our streets and buildings.

Let us take you on a journey through the streets and snickleways and tell you about the shadows of York.

Note: The tour is rated PG and not recommended for under 8's.
The stories change from time to time. But they do contain in depth historic details, some of which can be dark, sad or gory.
These may include executions, plague, suicide or any other grim facts.
Some young children may find it disturbing. Please check FAQ for more information.

The shadows are waiting for you...

Welcome aboard our daytime sightseeing trip in York, where travellers embark on an unforgettable journey through history, culture, and natural beauty. Our daytime sightseeing trip in York promises a memorable experience filled with breath-taking sights, intriguing tales, and moments of tranquillity along the historic River Ouse. It's the perfect way to explore the essence of York in a leisurely and immersive fashion.

Step back in time and discover the darkest moments in Yorkshire’s history with a visit to York Dungeon! The ticket to the spooky walk-around attraction includes access to live shows, a gripping ride and state-of-the-art special effects and staging. Learn of famous foes such as Dick Turpin and Guy Fawkes, and laugh at details of their exploits before they were caught. The top York attraction makes for a fun family visit; just prepare to be spooked!

Why follow the crowds? At Yorktour we believe a great tour should also be a fun conversation, which is why we guarantee there will be no more than eight participants so everyone can ask questions and no-one needs to worry about being left at the back! This family-friendly walking tour includes all the key sights - including the exterior of the Minster and the celebrated Shambles - though we will also lead you deep into the medieval maze of ‘Snickelways’ to follow in the footsteps of the Romans and Vikings who created York. Above all, our tours rely on great storytelling rather than gimmicks - so if we can’t remember everyone’s names there must be too many people taking part!

Guided bike tour of York, inside and outside the city walls.  Starting at a central location in the city.  A 2 to 2.5 hour tour with multiple stops to hear the stories of the saints and sinners, the good and the evil, from Romans and Vikings to the sweetness of chocolate makers.  Although factual, your guide will tell the grisly tales in a lighthearted way.  The route is planned for safety and the best stopping view points and is mainly on quiet roads or designated cycle paths.

- WINNER Best of York 2024, Visit York Awards
- WINNER Best Tour of York 2023 & 2024, Little Vikings Awards
- 3rd place winner Best Family Experience in the World, TripAdvisor Best of the Best 23/24

Tours will take place with one of two Wizard Guides, either Phoenix the Red OR Viridian The Green

Join The Wizard of York for five-star family fun with 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 an interest in the wizarding world...

A great alternative to a ghost walk, this tour focuses on FUN over frights. A truly magical and memorable experience that Harry Potter fans will go Potty for!

Explore with Ghost Hunter Mortimer for the truth behind myths and Legends, explore the scientific side of paranormal happenings. Uncover the ghostly tales, explore the origins of the Myths & legends, discover gruesome murders, legendary beasts, plague victims and persecution. York has a devilishly dark and occasionally bloody history...

Yorks tragic hauntings and devious past await every night, (not Tuesday) outside The Golden Lion, Church Street. Explore Europes most haunted city with our experienced Monk...If you dare!

Please arrive 10 minutes before your chosen departure time. We do not call out inside the pub.

Suitable for friends, couples, those single travellers
and families of all ages. (over 5 recommend) The tour will run whatever the weather and dogs are welcome!

80-90 minutes duration.

Tours attended at visitors own risk. we take no responsibility for accidents or lost belongings on the tours. Children should be supervised by parent/carer at all times.

Explore the ancient city of York on a 24 hour unlimited hop-on hop-off bus tour. This sightseeing extravaganza will take you to all of the best places of interest, including Clifford's Tower, Monk Bar, Exhibition Square, The Stonebow, Museum Gardens and much more! The beauty of a hop-on hop-off service is that you can create your own schedule and discover this fabulous destination at your own pace. The double-decker bus provides you with an audio tour commentary in 10 languages, teaching you all about York's fascinating past as you cruise around. There's so much to learn about this northern city, which was originally founded by the Romans. You'll also get to experience panoramic views of these historic landmarks, thanks to the open-top deck.

Explore some of the many famous historical sites and adventure across the spectacular landscape, before evoking memories of the past by jumping on the famous North York Moors Railway. Here you’ll take a trip to the seaside town of Whitby once you arrive in the town it would be rude not to sample the famous Fish and Chips before exploring the historic port town.

First stop Byland Abbey to visit the hiostoric ruins, then onto the picture perfect village of Helmsely. After that we'll make our way to join the North York Moors Railway, for a nostolgic ride on their steam train. (Please note 26th-29th September the train will not be running)

Enjoy the views of the North York Moors before arriving in the seaside town of Whitby. Here youcan wonder about the town, enjoy some local fish and chips or explore the fasinating history of the town.

It's the perfect day out!

A tour 6000 years in the making!

Discover York on this highly rated history tour as we head off the tourist beat to discover the real history of York.
From the cities origins, we look at the defences, and architecture, Robert the Bruce, Oliver Cromwell, Constantine the Great, kings and queens and many others who would shape the cities rich past.

Along the way you'll see the flora and Fauna, city walls, and snickleways as we debunk the cities myths and walk in the footsteps of Romans to tourist!

No stone is left unturned on this exciting story of York.

Explore the city of York, learn all about its history and related movie trivia!

Get sorted into teams, play quizzes and games. Your guide will offer top trivia and you can learn about the film universe and history of York.
Set off on your journey around town, enjoying trivia quizzes from your guide along the way to earn points for your team. With an animated scoreboard, video clips of movie scenes, costume pieces, and reenactments, this is an interactive experience.

This small-group Guided Day Trip from York provides the opportunity to explore the scenic and picturesque North York Moors National Park, enjoy more than two hours in the seaside town of Whitby and take a Steam Train ride on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (optional extra paid locally on the day)! You will also experience the traditional English moorland villages of Hutton-le-Hole and Goathland (Heartbeat and Harry Potter filming location) and travel back to York through the Howardian Hills, passing by Castle Howard. In Whitby, you will be able to see Whitby Abbey (inspiration for the Dracula books), visit the Captain Cook Attractions, shop for some Whitby Jet or Gothic Fashion, sample Fish & Chips from the famous Magpie Café or just enjoy the bustling port and waterfront – the choice is yours! Enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group mini-coach​ tour, limited to 16 people.

Hotel pick up and drop off is included on this truly personal touring experience, where you'll find the smallest group size available in York: just 7 per group. The intimate group size lets you get to know your local guide, a Yorkshire native born and bred in the area, and your fellow travellers. Explore the stunning North York Moors by road and steam train, following the back roads and farm lanes through the beautiful Yorkshire countryside, enjoying photo stops and chance to jump out and enjoy the peaceful setting of the Moors. You'll visit the fabulous seaside town of Whitby, famous for its association with Captain James Cook and featured in Bram Stoker's Dracula, before boarding a steam train for a journey across the majestic North York Moors. You'll see the best of the Moors, spend time by the seaside and visit the charming railway station made famous as 'Hogsmeade Station' in the Harry Potter films.

See your favourite York landmarks with this hop-on, hop-off open-top bus tour around the town's best loved sites, with a live guide. Sit back and relax as our experienced guide regales you with fascinating information about York Minster, Micklegate Bar, Clifford’s Tower and much more. You can hop-on and hop-off at any of the 20 stops. A great history lesson for kids young and old, with a chance to have a more interactive experience. It’s been a while since we’ve been able to see the iconic monuments of this great city, so join us and visit the best of York! We will not be providing single-use masks on this tour, although customers are welcome to provide their own.

The first tour of the day starts at 10:00am from Exhibition Square

The Yorkshire Dales National Park is one of the most renowned national parks in the world, celebrated for its dramatic limestone hills, winding valleys, dry stone walls, lush meadows, and grazing sheep. Our friendly driver-guides will ensure you see more than you could imagine in a single day as you explore this wild and beautiful landscape.

Highlights:
- Historic Landmarks: Discover Castle Bolton, a historic site steeped in rich history.
- Spectacular Winding Passes: Experience breathtaking views as you navigate through scenic passes.
- Traditional Dales Towns: Visit charming towns like Hawes, each offering a glimpse into traditional Dales life.
- Iconic Views: Capture the stunning and quintessential vistas of the Yorkshire Dales.
- Aysgarth Falls: Marvel at the natural beauty of Aysgarth Falls, a series of picturesque waterfalls.

When you've booked for a tour you'll be met at the Guy Fawkes Inn, opposite Michael Le Belfrey's church. From there you'll learn about the famous conspirators and the gun powder plot, in the very birthplace of Guy Fawkes himself!

We'll then proceed to York Minster yard, where you'll learn all about the Minsters rich history. We'll also visit several other famous spots in York, including The Shambles, Museum Gardens, and many more!

The important thing to remember when booking, is that no 2 tours are the same! Depending on how much time you have and what your interests are I'll make each tour as personalised as I'm able.

The tour stops listed are just a few of many other places I can take you in York, so if you decide to come back for another tour, you can guarantee it will be very different from the previous excursion!

After your tour is finished treat yourself to 10% off drinks at The Last Drop Inn. Just present your tour ticket at the bar!