Top York Outdoor Activities

See the historic city of York from a different perspective during an Ouse River cruise. Setting off in the early evening when the light softens, sail past ancient landmarks and quaint riverside villages, all the while learning about the area’s Roman and Viking heritage. Keep warm in the heated saloon, where you can buy alcoholic drinks, warm beverages, and snacks.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Discover the enchanting beauty of the Yorkshire Dales National Park on this one-day tour from York. Experience picturesque villages like Pateley Bridge and Grassington, known for their charming cobbled streets and traditional pubs. Enjoy a visit to Hawes, famous for Wensleydale Cheese, and take in the stunning Aysgarth Falls. End the day at the serene Jervaulx Abbey, a historical gem. With expert commentary and ample free time to explore, this small group tour offers a personal touch to your adventure in the Dales. - Full-day guided tour departing from York - Explore storybook villages and enjoy local delicacies - Visit iconic sites including Aysgarth Falls and Jervaulx Abbey - Return to York by approximately 5:30 PM, with a small group for a more intimate experience

Explore the highlights of York without being stuck in a tour group on this self-guided treasure hunt. No need to carry a physical map, as all of the clues and maps can be accessed through your smartphone. Along the way, pass by top landmarks, and learn interesting stories about the city that you might discover otherwise.

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.

Venture into the wild and windswept lands of the North York Moors on this full-day tour from York. Drive through the countryside to reach North York Moors National Park and enjoy a walk amongst nature. Learn the legacy of Dracula and Captain James Cook in the seaside resort of Whitby. Next, spot filming locations from British TV series 'Heartbeat' and the Harry Potter movies in Goathland, where you board the famous North Yorkshire Moors steam railway for a spectacular ride home.

Discover the enchanting Yorkshire Moors on this captivating day tour from York. Begin your adventure in the picturesque village of Hutton-le-Hole, where charming cottages and serene landscapes invite a leisurely stroll. Continue to the historic port of Whitby, the backdrop for Bram Stoker's Dracula, and enjoy time to explore its cobbled streets, abbey ruins, and sample local fish and chips. Visit the quaint Robin Hood’s Bay and snap photos at the iconic Goathland Station, known as Hogsmeade in Harry Potter. With a small group setting, benefit from a personal touch and insights from your driver-guide. - Full-day tour of Yorkshire Moors and Whitby from York - Free time to explore Hutton-le-Hole, Whitby, and Robin Hood's Bay - Visit Goathland Station, famous from Harry Potter - Travel in a comfortable 16-seat mini-coach with expert commentary

Puzzle fans need look no further than this immersive York treasure hunt murder mystery, set in 1491, that’s sent to your phone (over the Telegram app) as a series of riddles. Discover classic sights and quirky delights as you unravel each cryptic clue, unlock the path to the next location—and bring the criminal to justice. You’ll cover around 2.5 miles (4 kilometers), with two optional pub breaks en route.

Get ready to hit the dance floor on York's most exciting party boat! Whether you're planning a hen party, a special celebration, or a night out with friends, our Party Nights Afloat are the perfect addition to your York adventure, welcoming groups of all sizes, big or small! From the moment you step aboard, you'll be greeted with a sparkling glass of fizz, you'll have a reserved table for your group, but with a live onboard DJ spinning hit after hit, you won't be sitting down for long! Get ready to dance to all your favorite floor fillers and feel free to send in your requests. Indulge in our delicious two-course buffet to fuel your dancing, and when you need a break, the bar will be open for all your drink needs. The party lasts for 2.5 hours as we cruise through the scenic city. Disorderly groups or excessively intoxicated individuals will be refused access or removed from the boat, without option of a refund. This product is NOT suitable for all-male groups or 'stag' parties.

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.

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 will travel by Hot Air Balloon over the Historical City Of York and it's surrounding countryside. We offer Champagne Balloon Flights over the beautiful city of York from April – October each year. Our balloons are all multi coloured and look amazing both form the ground, from the air and in your pictures! Pilot Ollie says - "There’s nothing more peaceful and serene than watching the world go by as you fly over the countryside in a Hot Air Balloon. The most rewarding part of piloting balloons is being able to share the experience and excitement with others" Your ballooning experience will include: - 3 - 4 hour Experience - Detailed Passenger Safety Briefing - Opportunity To Help Set Up The Balloon - 45 minutes to 1 Hour Flight From York - Opportunity To Help Pack The Balloon Away - Champagne Toast - Flight Certificates - Optional In-Flight Photographs & Video (£20) - Minibus Ride Back To Launch Site

Roman walls, Viking streets and a Gothic giant — York layers 2,000 years of history into one compact riddle. This app-led scavenger hunt takes you through York on foot, using phone-based riddles to guide you from one landmark to the next. No guide, no fixed start time. • Climb the mound to Clifford's Tower, the castle's stone survivor • Stand beneath York Minster, northern Europe's Gothic masterpiece • Squeeze through the Shambles, the medieval street that time forgot Around 2 hours, any group size, available in English. Old York, new tricks.

An Immersive Ghost Hunt: Don’t just listen to a tour guide—become a paranormal investigator in a gripping, story-driven mystery to save York from restless spirits. True Chills & Dark History: Uncover the genuine, bone-chilling lore of Europe’s most haunted city, from the phantom Roman legion of Treasurer's House to the medieval "snickelways." Built-in Pub Stops: The route purposefully passes York’s most notoriously haunted taverns (like The Golden Fleece), perfect for pausing the game to grab some "liquid courage." Interactive Urban Puzzles: Crack codes and solve riddles using real-world details hidden in plain sight on centuries-old gravestones, blue plaques, and Tudor timber beams. 100% Flexible & Private: No rigid schedules or crowded groups. Play instantly on your smartphone, pause whenever you like, and explore York entirely at your own pace.

Explore the captivating city of York through an interactive scavenger hunt that blends history with adventure. This unique experience allows you to uncover the tales of York's Roman and Viking heritage while visiting iconic sites like Clifford's Tower and the Yorkshire Museum. With your app guiding you, stroll through The Shambles and decode the mysteries of the city's street names at your own pace. Perfect for families, friends, or couples, this activity promises a fun and informative way to sightsee while capturing memorable moments along the way.

This is no ordinary treasure hunt! You will interact with people in the environment located within the city environment. On you adventure you will be equipped with spy gadgets to handle and use to solve puzzles. The puzzles you will be attempting are challenging escape-room style puzzles, so you will need to work well together in order to crack them! As you solve the clues, your spy story will unfold...can you crack the mystery? At the end of your adventure you will be able to see how you scored by inspecting the leaderboard!

Turning City Streets Into an Adventure Playground! Get a unique perspective of the city centre on this self-guided, interactive treasure hunt. It's the best way to see York! On your adventure, unlock a hidden trail by finding clues, solving puzzles and completing challenges, earning points along the way. During your Quest you will not only discover the city's highlights but explore hidden gems, learn some fun facts about the places you visit and see things that most people just pass by. As the activity is all self-guided through the app, you can start your Quest when you want (see opening times for this Quest), there are no set starting/ending times. No groups to follow. You can go at your own pace, stopping for longer in one location, taking a break or having a snack in one of the many cafes and pubs along the trail OR you can make it a race and try to get to the top of the city leaderboard! Instant acess with nothing to print from home. Will you conquer the Quest?

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.

Ditch the crowds and wander off the beaten path with the help of a private guide on this tour around the Yorkshire moors and Whitby coast. Relax with hassle-free hotel pickup in a wide range of locations, including York, Leeds, Harrogate, Thirsk, and Ripon. With one simple booking, a whole day’s worth of laid-back sightseeing is all sorted for you.

Rather than trying to plan your own Yorkshire Dales itinerary as a tourist, let a local show you around this national park and help ensure you don’t miss out on seeing any of the best bits. Instead of worrying about the logistics or navigating the unfamiliar route, with one simple booking, your private guide has it all sorted for you so you just focus on relaxing and enjoying the day.