Top York Historical Tours

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.

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.

This prebooked York Dungeon admission helps you save time waiting in ticket lines at the entrance, so you can get to the action quicker. Once inside, there’s so much to discover—including a ride, live shows, and interactive exhibits. As you explore the dungeon’s displays, you can learn more about York’s dark history, as well as notorious figures from the past—such as Dick Turpin and Guy Fawkes.

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.

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.

Get a comprehensive tour of York combined with personalized attention on this private excursion. Your dedicated guide will tailor the tour's stops and commentary to your private group's interests. Learn all about York's history, culture, architecture, and people as you walk.

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.

Discover the imperial capital that shaped an empire. Long before it was York, this city was Eboracum—a crucial northern powerhouse of the Roman Empire where emperors ruled and stayed. On this immersive walking tour, you’ll leave the modern streets behind to trace the monumental footprint of the Roman legions. Led by an expert historical guide, we strip away the myths to look at the real history, engineering, and daily lives of the people who built ancient York. From high-status citizens to the soldiers guarding the frontier, discover how Rome stamped its authority on the British landscape. Perfect for history enthusiasts and curious travelers looking for an authentic, deep-dive exploration of York’s classical past.

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.

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.

York has a fascinating Roman past and this private tour unpacks it more efficiently than you could likely do alone. View the city’s Roman relics, including its Roman Column, York Minster—built over a Roman basilica– and other points of interest, all with guided commentary for background. Along the way, hear about mad emperors and lost legions; and discover how a posting to York was considered dangerous in Roman times.

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.

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.

York is known for its medieval streets, ancient city walls, and beautifully-preserved buildings; and this private tour is the perfect way to make the most of your visit. Instead of studying a map, look up and admire the sights as a private guide shows you the city’s must-see sights. Places passed on the route include the York Minster, the building where Guy Fawkes was born, Clifford’s Tower, and the Shambles.

The historic city of York has many centuries of creepy and gruesome secrets. Learn more about the city’s dark past on a private walking tour that focuses on the area's ghost stories. This private tour can be customized to suit your needs and interests, so you're not tied to the rigid routes of standard tours. As you explore, see parts of York that many travelers miss out on, and come away with a completely new view of 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.

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.

Enjoy all the perks of a ghost tour without having to rush to keep up with a group or spend heaps of cash to have a Yokr guide all to yourself. With this app tour, you don’t have to worry about getting lost in a new city while you hear spooky tales of alleged hauntings that lots of locals don’t even know about.

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.

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.

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.