Top York Crime 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.

Step into the shadows of York’s past on this immersive indoor experience at Villains Rum of York, just off Stonegate. Led by a live villain guide, this small-group tour explores the true dark history behind the infamous characters who inspired our rums - from plotters and poisoners to kings and cutthroats. Learn about York’s most notorious villains through entertaining storytelling, brought to life with humour and historical detail. Along the way, sample a selection of our handcrafted, locally inspired rums - each linked to the tale you're hearing. Also available with gin if preffered or alcohol free options. Perfect for history lovers, rum enthusiasts, and curious minds, this experience takes place entirely inside our immersive rum shop and villainous hideaway. Whether it’s raining or shining outside, the shadows await within.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

If you’re looking for a fun alternative to predictable sightseeing tours, then this is it. Set off with a private guide on a tour that reveals stories about York’s criminal history—including takes of the Yorkshire Ripper, Dick Turpin, and William the Conqueror. Along the way, break up your walk with stops at key landmarks, such as Clifford’s Tower, St. George’s Field, and the Guy Fawkes Inn.

Discover the dark history of York and stories that you wouldn’t find in a guidebook on this out-of-the-ordinary horror-themed walking tour. As you walk past a mix of famous and lesser-known sights, a guide keeps you entertained with historical stories, hidden secrets, and tales of unusual events from the past 2,000 years.

During the festive period, York’s streets are illuminated with twinkling lights, and it's the perfect place to get in the Christmas spirit. With this tour, a guide helps you get the most out of your time in the city by explaining more about its festive history, traditions, and tales you likely wouldn’t uncover if walking around alone—such as stories about Viking feasts, a famous Victorian author, and medieval Christmas rituals.