Top Yorkshire Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

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.

Long a popular spa destination in England, the charming town of Harrogate is today also reputed for its food scene. On this half-day lunchtime tour, you’ll stroll past the key sights in the city center and will pause at five different eateries and other venues. Sample local treats and learn about Harrogate’s history as you go. By the tour’s end, you’ll have enjoyed the equivalent of a hearty meal.

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. **NB: that later tour slots will require the first stop to be the Roman Baths Museum. Please also note that the City Walls may be closed due to maintenance, or foul weather, particularly over winter when the walls have reduced access hours.**

Castle Howard is a place and palace like no other where for over 300 years the Howard family have been welcoming visitors. In just one visit you'll see a palace, a town, a fortified city, temples, magnificent woods, hills, valleys and a mausoleum. Heading out of York, you'll take in breathtaking views of York Minster as you head into the Vale of York. You'll then be driven through the charming villages of Sutton on Forest and Stililngton both mentioned in William the Conquerer’s Domesday Book after which the imposing York Minster comes into view. After driving through the Howardian Hills and former Castle Howard estate village of Bulmer you'll arrive at Castle Howard where you'll have the chance to stop for a coffee and browse the estate's shops. This will be followed by a private tour of the house and formal gardens before you're left to have lunch and explore on your own.

This private day trip from Harrogate is perfect for travelers interested in the hit television series “All Creatures Great and Small”. Save time researching where the show was filmed, and instead—enjoy a tour that takes you directly to the show’s main filming locations, such as Grassington—which is the fictional village of “Darrowby”. Along the way, find out insider knowledge—such as where Alf White (the real James Herriot) lived and worked, and see stunning Yorkshire Dales scenery at the same time.

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.

Designed for travelers with a historical interest in the supernatural, this private 2-hour ghost tour of York — one of the most haunted cities in the world — allows you to customize your itinerary to suit you. Choose to visit sites with countless reports of ghost sightings, including York Minster, and The Shambles, and listen to frightening tales rooted in York’s 2,000-year-old history. The start time and location of your tour is up to you.

Explore the rugged beauty of the Yorkshire Dales on a day trip from Leeds, and see some of the filming locations of the hit TV series All Creatures Great and Small. Travel to the moors and the quaint villages that make the Dales so unique, and learn about local landmarks, the mountains and valleys, and the characteristic dry stone walls that criss-cross the whole area.

A historic city with bags of charisma, Sheffield doesn't tend to get much coverage in the guidebooks. This fun treasure hunt game is the perfect way to discover the city's hidden gems and bond with friends. The simple WhatsApp-style interface that lets you follow Captain Bess's cryptic clues, maps, and riddles—and learn interesting facts and trivia too.

Using an app on your smartphone, you'll be given nearly 120 objects to find during your scavenger hunt. You'll then wander throughout the downtown area searching for the items. Once you've found the object, you'll send a photo in to score points. Along the way, you will perform challenges for even more points. You'll have 13 categories of objects you can find in this city walk, with each object varying in points depending on the difficulty. Don't worry, you won't be alone. You'll have a remote guide that will be texting you during your game if you need help or have a question. They will also encourage you and give you hints along the way! The objective of the game is to have fun, rank #1 on the leaderboard, and try to get as many points as possible by finding all of the objects!

York is an ancient city that’s filled with more history than most tourists realize. Embark on an immersive walking tour and listen to tales of its history, from Roman times to the Vikings to the plague and to present day. Hear stories of Roman toilets, discover the grisly details of Dick Turpin’s execution, and learn about the gruesome cures concocted to cure the Black Death as you pass by the Minster, Jorvik Center, Shambles, Clifford’s Tower and more.

Swap York for a small-group day trip to Whitby and the North York Moors National Park. Visit dispersed outdoor sights that would be hard to get to without your own car, and enjoy free time to explore Whitby independently and see its famous abbey, Captain Cook-themed attractions, and fish and chip shops. The trip also shows you great photo opportunities at the North York Moors, Helmsley, and other picturesque English villages.

Set out on a fun escapade and uncover Leed’s sights and history on route with this self-led treasure hunt. Use the smartphone-based app’s treasure maps to discover the city’s top sights: searching for clues, cracking riddles, and finding hidden gems as you hear tales and background you could otherwise miss. Pause and restart the hunt whenever you want, and once done, pat yourself on the back for getting to know Leeds without having to follow a tour group.

Dive into Scarborough’s ghostly past with the help of a local tour guide who’ll share historical spooky stories. This fun guided tour takes you from South Bay Beach to the Old Town and more as you hear about well-researched dark history tales all about legends, murder, and, of course, hauntings. From June to August, ride the Central Tramway; winter route does include a bit of uphill walking.

Take a historical walking tour of Durham, in a small group, with Peter. He's lived a few miles from here most of his life, and delivers the tour with knowledge and humour. You'll walk through a thousand years of history, from saints and kings to bishops with armies and the coal industry that shaped it. We start at the Journey Statue, where monks fleeing Viking raids buried St Cuthbert in 995. We pass the Marketplace and the Castle William the Conqueror built in 1072, before he fled the city in terror over a saint's coffin. We see Cathedral stonework, barely changed since 1180, and hear how Durham's Bishops ruled with near royal power for 750 years. You'll hear how coal defined this county for nearly 500 years, until 1993, and how its Miners' Gala still fills these streets every July. Along the way: a statue almost nobody liked, a ghost said to still play his pipes at midnight, and a fog said to have saved the Cathedral from German bombers in 1942.

This tour will take you across the historic centre of York and stop at a number of independent businesses, each one of which will provide you with generous examples of their fabulous food & drink. You'll get to enjoy Yorkshire Cheeses, Fish & Chips, Tacos, Chocolate and Pintxos with Sherry before choosing a sweet or savoury finale with a well earned Yorkshire ale! While walking between the venues you'll hear a bit about the history of York and pass by several of the cities major attractions such as York Minster, Cliffords Tower and the City Walls. Your guide is a York based food writer who knows the city and its hospitality scene intimately. He's been featured in the Lonely Planet guide, is a coordinating judge for the Guild of Fine Food and helps run York Food & Drink Festival....You can recognise him by the cutlery tattoos!

See a side of York’s history and art that lots of tourists miss out on on this small-group walking tour through the Shambles and Shards that focuses on the stained glass found in local churches. But don’t worry—you needn’t be a major art history buff to enjoy this experience. The tour is relaxed and accessible to all knowledge levels.

A fantastic way to explore the oldest city in England and discover the delightful independent cafes and restaurants and their tasty fare.You will get to gaze upon the magnificent historical buildings and learn about its thriving market and history through the ages. This little gem also has a great community of independent bars and restaurants who serve a selection of delicious dishes to delight your tastebuds. With a knowledgeable local guide and the company of other foodies, you will not only be enjoying lunch at five places rather than just one but you will also be supporting our local independents.

Discover an alternative history of York by taking this unique guided walk through the city centre. York has a reputation for having a pub for everyday of the year. Find out about some of the oldest as well as the people and events associated with them. Inquests, riots, politics, plagues, religious influence, bizarre entertainments and strange auctions, York's pub history provides a strong picture of the social life of the city. Fiona Laing: i weekend "They say there is a bar for each day of the year in York. They come in all shapes and sizes and there is even a walking tour, which traces their history, some dating back to the 16th century. Keith Martin will share his passion for York's oldest pubs in return for a donation to Keep Your Pet a charity which helps people keep their animals at difficult times" Private tours can be arranged for groups of 6 or more at mutually convenient times and days and starting points. All money raised through the tours supports a local York charity.

Enjoy all the perks of a ghost tour without having to rush to keep up with a group or spend a lot on a private guide with this self-guided tour. Download the app and enjoy three experiences along one single route—from Roman ruins and Viking history to chilling tales. Get a taste for what York has to offer without getting lost and at your own pace, with the freedom to linger at places that capture your interest.

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.

The medieval town of Skipton has a range of haunted secrets to uncover. On this private ghost walking tour, meet your guide at the gates of Skipton Castle and learn about the ghastly ghous that roam the town’s streets, listening to tales of medieval kings and queens, witches, and butchers, as you wander by haunted pubs and churchyards.

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.

If you’re short on time or trying to fit in a lot during your vacation, one day is all you need to experience the history and wild beauty of Northern England. This private tour of Brontë Country and the Yorkshire Dales National Park from York encompasses top attractions such as Bolton Abbey, Bingley Five Rise Locks, and breathtaking moors. The tour includes the West Yorkshire Pennine Village of Haworth, made famous by the Brontë sisters and home to the Brontë Parsonage Museum. In Haworth you will also discover quaint cobbled streets and traditional tea shops.