Top York Cultural Tours

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.

Start by meeting your guide just outside York Minster. From there, you’ll enjoy a tour of the cathedral’s exterior. Hear stories about the Gothic architecture, the Minster gardens and see the new statue of Queen Elizabeth II. Then step inside York Minster with your guide and journey through 1400 years of English history. Take a snap of the famous Five Sisters window – dedicated to women who died in WWI. Explore the world-class cathedral and uncover the Chapter House, Undercroft Museum and much more.

Discover the best of Whitby and the North Yorkshire Moors on this captivating full-day tour. Start in the charming market town of Pickering, then explore the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. Visit the moorland village of Goathland, known as ‘Hogsmeade’ in 'Harry Potter.' Enjoy Whitby’s seaside charm with fish and chips, stroll the harbor, and visit Whitby Abbey. Conclude in Glaisdale, home to the romantic Beggers Bridge.

Most visitors choose between a highlights walk, a wall walk, or a ghost tour. This self-guided tour gives you the best of all three in a single route — from Roman ruins and Viking history to chilling tales told at the right moments, in the right places. With your phone as your guide, you'll walk atop the ancient city walls, squeeze through snickelways, and hear why the Golden Fleece pub claims over fifteen resident ghosts. This tour is ideal for those who are in York for a day and want to get a taste of everything that York has to offer while having the freedom to linger and dive deeper into the sites that capture their interest. Pause for a pint, duck into the Shambles for photos, or linger inside York Minster — then pick up right where you left off. No group to keep up with, no fixed start time. Available in 9 languages with offline access. Over 20,000 travellers have used our self-guided tours. If it's not for you, it comes with a full refund guarantee.

A hop-on hop-off bus is the perfect way to explore York on your terms. Sit on the bus and learn about the city's famous sights through an audio guide, and then hop off at any of the 20 stops that interest you. Along the way, pass by the York Minster, York Art Gallery, the National Railway Museum, Clifford's Tower, Jorvik Viking Centre, and the Monk Bar.

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.

Explore York at your own pace with a self-guided walking tour on your phone. You get a clear map of all 9 stops, simple directions through Google Maps, and short audio stories you can play when you reach each location. The route covers the historic heart of York, from York Minster to Micklegate Bar, passing sites like The Shambles, Clifford's Tower, and Jorvik Viking Centre. Start anytime, pause whenever you like, and explore freely. No groups, no schedules. Audio and text available in 7 languages.

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.

Discover York's vibrant Viking history on this engaging 90-minute walking tour. Beginning outside Fairfax House on Castlegate, this tour combines history, comedy, and mythology for a unique family-friendly experience. Perfect for all ages, you'll delve into the fascinating tales of York's Viking past while enjoying a few laughs along the way. Join a knowledgeable guide who brings the stories to life and allows you to explore the city's rich heritage in an entertaining manner. - 90-minute walking tour focusing on York's Viking history - Starts outside Fairfax House on Castlegate - A mix of comedy and mythology makes it enjoyable for everyone - Family-friendly activity suitable for all ages

You'll walk York’s historic streets, discover hidden gems, and visit characterful pubs with a local guide who believes the best way to explore a city is through good beer, good stories, and good company. On this unique York pub tour, you'll see sights most people miss, hear stories about the city, and visit three to four pubs with a guide who prides himself on making sure guests experience a unique side of York and have a great time in the city.

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 and commentary from your guide.

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.

This is a great pick for travelers interested in discovering some of the best independent eateries in York. Save time scrolling through restaurant reviews, and learn about the local food scene from a guide instead. The tour visits five independent food venues for tastings and passes by famous landmarks such as the York Minster along the way.

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.

Walk the streets of the real Jorvik. In 866 AD, the Great Heathen Army captured York, transforming an Anglo-Saxon settlement into a thriving, international Viking capital. On this deeply researched walking tour, we navigate the historic alleys to uncover the incredible 200-year legacy of Norse rule. Forget the horned helmets and Hollywood tropes. Your expert guide will bring the authentic Viking Age to life, sharing the stories of fierce kings, master craftsmen, global traders, and everyday families who built a commercial empire in the north of England. If you want a genuine, gripping, and fact-checked exploration of York's Viking heritage, this is your journey.

Enjoy a fully flexible and independent way to discover York’s highlights and history with this self-led, smartphone audio tour. Upon booking, download the app to your smartphone, and use whenever suits your schedule. With the help of the included GPS map and directions, you’ll discover key landmarks like the York Minster, York City Walls, and the Shambles; will learn about the city’s Viking history; and much more.

Take a break from bustling York on a full-day tour of Herriot and the Yorkshire Dales, and travel across the mountainous region with ease via air-conditioned vehicle. Discover the region’s top attractions, including the filming location for "Darrowby" in the TV series "All Creatures Great and Small", Bolton Abbey, and Penistone Hill, and benefit from insights provided by your guide, as well as the more personalized experience of a small-group tour.

Gunpowder, Plot and Treason A Walking Tour Through York’s Darkest Legends Step into the shadows of York’s bloodstained past. From the birthplace of Guy Fawkes to the final cries at Clifford’s Tower, Gunpowder, Plot and Treason unearths the city’s most chilling tales of rebellion, betrayal, and forgotten heroes. Follow in the footsteps of criminals, martyrs, and monarchs — and discover the dark heartbeat that still echoes through York’s ancient streets. History is written by the victors — but on this tour, you’ll hear the whispers of those who dared to defy them.

Enjoy a scenic drive through the North York Moors National Park, a landscape of rolling heather-clad hills, quiet woodland, farms, and winding streams. Keep an eye out for the abundant wildlife, from grouse and pheasants to grazing sheep. These dramatic moorlands have inspired poets and authors for centuries — today, you can see for yourself why the scenery is so captivating.

Journey through the rolling landscape of the Yorkshire Dales National Park on this unique tour inspired by and focusing on the locations used in TV’s All Creatures Great And Small. Stopping in villages nestled throughout North Yorkshire, you will see filing locations as well as a trip to the World of James Herriot visitor center in Thirsk. Stop in several picturesque villages for photos and refreshments.

Step into the world of the Brontës on this very small-group day tour from York. Greg, your friendly and enthusiastic guide, will take you through the beautiful Yorkshire countryside to Brontë country. The first stop is at the location of Thorpe Green Hall where Anne was a Governess, then after a short comfort break we continue to Saltaire and the historic Salt Mills. Greg then takes us to attend the Brontë birthplace (entrance included) where Greg offers a personal and engaging tour at the family home where the famous siblings grew up. We then travel to Haworth, here enjoy two free hours to wander the cobbled streets, browse charming shops, enjoy a coffee, and visit the Brontë Parsonage Museum. The day concludes with a trip up Penistone Hill with sweeping views toward Top Withens. Entrance fees to the Brontë birthplace and Parsonage Museum are included, making for an engaging & memorable day. Gregs style is both informal but highly informative into the lives of these famous Sisters.

Get your bearings and explore York like a local on this exclusive private walking tour, led by an expert guide. More than just a history lesson, this immersive experience brings the city’s rich past to life as you stroll through its cobbled streets, ancient walls, and hidden corners. Step back in time to Viking-age Jorvik, walk in the footsteps of Romans along the city’s famous walls, and uncover how York evolved from a medieval religious center to the vibrant, historic gem it is today. From grand landmarks to tucked-away treasures, your guide will share the stories that make York unique.

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.