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 and spooky 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, it is a storytelling experience. The tour is family friendly, but some may find the stories upsetting. If you have a specific phobia or trigger please reach out to us before booking. 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 your guide Mad Alice or Lady Peckett 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.

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. The shadows are waiting for you...

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.

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!

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.

Winner of a magical myriad of awards, and York's ONLY tour created for families with children! WINNER #1 Best Family Experience in the World 2025 - TripAdvisor WINNER Experience of the Year - Visit York WINNER Best of York Award - Visit York WINNER Best Tour 2023 to 2026 - Little Vikings Join The Wizard of York for spellbinding magic, comedy and five-star family fun! Ideal for ages 5-10 in particular, or big kids with a silly sense of humour... 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 (but no knowledge of the wizarding world required!) *Tours will take place with one of two Wizard Guides, either Phoenix the Red OR Viridian The Green*

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!

Unwrap York’s delicious chocolate legacy! Discover how York became the UK’s chocolate capital on a fun, immersive guided tour exploring 4,000 years of chocolate history. Meet the pioneering founding families behind some of the world’s most iconic confectionery brands, uncover the origins of cocoa and enjoy delicious tastings along the way. Highlights - Discover York’s chocolate heritage: Explore the story of how York became famous for chocolate. - Travel through 4,000 years of chocolate history: Follow the journey of chocolate from Central America to York. - Meet the founding families: Discover how the Tuke, Rowntree, Terry and Craven families transformed chocolate-making. - Meet expert chocolatiers: Watch a live chocolate-making demonstrations. - Enjoy delicious chocolate tastings: Sample chocolate throughout your experience. - Create your own chocolate treat: Make your own chocolate creation to take home as a sweet souvenir.

Join Mountain Goat for a full-day adventure through the stunning North York Moors National Park and the charming seaside town of Whitby. Travel across sweeping heather moorlands, picturesque valleys and historic villages, with your driver-guide sharing fascinating stories along the way. Visit Helmsley, a traditional market town filled with independent shops, inviting cafés and the historic ruins of Helmsley Castle. Discover Goathland, a beautiful Yorkshire village famous for its railway station, which featured as Hogsmeade in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Enjoy free time in Whitby, a coastal town known for its maritime history, connections to Captain Cook and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Explore its cobbled streets, climb the famous 199 Steps, admire Whitby Abbey or enjoy traditional fish and chips by the harbour. Experience the breathtaking scenery, rich heritage and timeless charm of North Yorkshire on this unforgettable day out.

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.

The tour begins inside The Guy Fawkes Inn (25 High Petergate). 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 hidden streets and area around the city where you'll be treated to local stories, and all kinds of hidden gems!

Explore the ancient city of York on a 24 or 48-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 9 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.

Step off the beaten path into the beating heart of York’s rich, rebellious past! This highly rated walking tour isn’t your average stroll—it’s an adventure through 6,000 years of real history, gripping stories and your chance to discover all you can on your visit. We’ll explore the city’s mighty medieval defences and how they evolved to keep out everyone from invading armies to enticing tourists. Marvel at York’s architectural wonders, from Roman stonework to the craftsmanship of medieval masons whose skills shaped the skyline we see today. Discover the powerful guilds that once ruled the city’s economy, their grand halls, and the “cash crops” that fuelled their rise. Constantine the Great to Oliver Cromwell, Robert the Bruce to kings, queens, history’s biggest names walked these streets, and now, so will you. Wander along city walls and down ancient streets, as we bust myths and reveal the truth behind the past. This is York unleashed: gritty, glorious, and unforgettable.

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

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.

Step into the Shadows of York... Prepare for a walking tour like no other! An immersive, educational journey through history. Dare to indulge in something different as you explore York’s dimly lit streets and eerie snickelways, where echoes of the past still linger... Led by a charismatic witch guide, this unique and alternative tour uncovers captivating tales of those accused of witchcraft, and their ultimate fates. With every step along York's ancient cobbles, you’ll hear chilling accounts of Yorkshire’s witches, and the dark history that unfolded beneath your very feet. This is more than just a tour; it’s an engaging, often enlightening, and ultimately uplifting experience that will leave you simply spellbound! A word of caution, my dears: This is an outdoor walking tour, so be sure to dress for the weather!

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.