Top York Art & Culture

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

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.

Exploring York on your own can mean wandering past centuries of history without really understanding what you’re seeing. This guided walking tour adds the stories and context that bring the city to life. As you stroll along the ancient walls and through York’s picturesque streets, your guide connects the landmarks to powerful figures such as Constantine the Great, Robert the Bruce, and Oliver Cromwell—explaining how their actions shaped the city you see today. Along the way, discover hidden details, natural features, and lesser-known corners you might otherwise miss, turning a simple walk into a deeper, more meaningful experience of York.

Blend history with entertainment on this spooky walking tour of York. You’ll hear historical tales as you walk through the city and marvel at the medieval architecture of sites like York Minster cathedral. Learn about the city’s history with an emphasis on stories related to witchcraft, the spooky, and the strange.

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.

York has a rich history, dating back almost 2,000 years, but finding out which heritage sites to see can be time-consuming. Hear tales and trivia you won’t find in the guidebooks when you join this walking tour, led by a guide with a passion for history. From Guy Fawkes to York Minster, from butchery to falconry, from martyrs to dungeons, get an in-depth perspective on this fascinating city.

As an ancient city, York has been home to more than its fair share of gruesome goings-on over the centuries. On this guided walking tour, learn the city’s dark history as you explore, listening to tales of gruesome murders, questionable Victorian medical practices, and even a story about a death by pancake.

The heartwarming TV series “All Creatures Great and Small” has inspired a new generation with the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales. Skip the stress of car hire and pair sights from the series with key locations from the creator’s life on this tour from York. Along the way, sample Wensleydale cheese, photograph Aysgarth Falls, and soak up views from high passes to get a taste of true English culture.

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.

Families visiting York - this is York's only tour created specifically for children, and is ideal for wizard fans! Kids will enjoy a more engaging experience exploring York's history, magic, and mystery by walking around the city with a guide dressed as a wizard. Along the way, hear jokes, watch close-up magic, and search for mythical creatures at interesting locations–such as the York Minster, and the Shambles.

Delve into the dark side of York, and see the city in a new light, on this evening ghost bus tour. Visit notorious local haunts of restless spirits and pass eerie sites such as York Minster, Clifford’s Tower, and the grave of Dick Turpin, the 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.

Round up the sights of the Yorkshire Dales National Park in just one day and without renting a car when you book this exciting small-group excursion from York. Drive past stone-walled villages, winding valleys, and grazing sheep, making stops at Bolton Castle, market towns, and the Aysgarth Waterfall. Enjoy a scenic drive through the Dales with multiple photo stops, commentary from your guide, and multilingual audio guides for a richer experience.

Discover a variety of York's hidden treasures during this walking tour. Uncover the city's culture, history, and best-kept secrets with the help of you guide. From famous landmarks like Bettys and York Minster to tales of Guy Fawkes and Dick Turpin, explore intriguing stories and overlooked marvels. Plus, delight in a chocolatey treat from York’s Chocolate Story, adding a sweet touch to your adventure. Whether you're a local or visitor, experience York in a different light.

Don’t worry about getting lost in the winding streets of medieval York during this introductory small-group 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.

A fantastic walk around the city centre of York, enjoying stories about its long history. You and the host Kay will visit 5 great independent eateries, all serving delicious food with great passion. Food that is all sourced locally and with influences from around the world and each carefully chosen tasting makes up part of the city's vibrant food and drink scene. With a knowledgeable guide and the company of other foodies, you and your taste buds will not only thoroughly enjoy yourself but you'll be supporting these local independents too. You will be walking around the city centre and will end on Castlegate. You walk a little less than a mile in total. It is all flat although some of the streets are cobbled. There are minimal stairs at all your tastings although some have restrooms which are accessed by stairs. The host Kay do recommend having a very small breakfast – you want to save yourself for some delicious tastings!

Get off the beaten path of the tourist trails and come join us for an exciting exploration of the fascinating story behind York’s unique snickelways. Discover the history of the city as told by its ancient alleys, secret snickets, charming courtyards, and long-lost lanes. This walking tour will take you on a journey through the paths of the city known only to locals, giving you a unique perspective on York’s rich heritage. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to uncover the stories that lie around - and in - every corner in York!

York is Europe’s most haunted city. Its over 2,000 years of turbulent history has created the perfect environment for lingering spirits. On this self-guided walking tour, you’ll visit the city’s most haunted public houses, each one teeming with tales of ghostly figures and unexplained phenomena. The tour starts at Bootham Bar, one of York’s ancient gateways to the city. You’ll weave through medieval streets to visit historic pubs like the Hole in the Wall, where a prison hatch once allowed patrons to pass drinks to unfortunate inmates, and the Guy Fawkes Inn, named after one of Britain’s most notorious would-be assassins. Along the way, you’ll find out how the city’s pubs have been the setting for tragic deaths, sinister plots, and unexplained hauntings that continue to this day. You’ll hear about the Mad Maid who still cleans the Dean Court Hotel, the ghostly Roman soldier in the Hole in the Wall’s cellar, and the bride who appears only to those suffering from recent heartbreak.

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.

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.

York’s dark history isn’t always obvious as you wander its streets alone. This guided ghost walk reveals the city’s spookier side as you explore cobbled lanes and historic landmarks after dark. Follow your guide through some of York’s most atmospheric locations—including The Shambles, the Golden Fleece pub, Mad Alice Lane, and Clifford’s Tower—while hearing stories of mysteries, tragedies, and reported hauntings. Along the way, uncover the hidden legends behind the city’s top sights, turning a simple stroll into an entertaining and eerie introduction to York’s past.

Discover the rugged beauty of rural Northern England on a full-day tour from York—no need to rent a car or tackle the area's country roads yourself. Explore traditional English moorland villages, Hutton-le-Hole and Goathland, famed filming locations for the Harry Potter™ movies. Head into the North York Moors National Park for panoramic views over the rolling countryside, then wander Whitby at your leisure, with options to visit Whitby Abbey, the port, or the Captain Cook Museum. Return via the Hole of Horcum.

Visiting any new city can be exciting, but challenging and costly to navigate for the first time too. With this York City Pass, heaps of logistics are sorted in one fell swoop. From York Minster to the York Dungeons to York’s Chocolate Story to discounts on hotel stays, this pass makes experiencing a new place so much easier.

Swap predictable walking tours for a fun and alternative way of exploring York—a Viking–themed treasure hunt game. Using your smartphone, enjoy the freedom of a self-guided experience that’s played by chatting to a character—Eric Bloodaxe, the last Viking King of York. By solving riddles, you can make your way around the city, and uncover key landmarks along the way.