Top York Crime Tours in 2026

Many of York's spookiest streets, passageways, and cobblestone lanes aren't vehicle-accessible, so walking is the best way to get up close to the city's haunted locations. Join a guide to explore while you listen to stories about mysteries, tragedies, and alleged hauntings at The Shambles, The Golden Fleece pub, Mad Alice Lane, Clifford’s Tower, and more.

Lots of walking tour itineraries are understandably full of happy historical facts, but what about the darker side of the story? This York tour doesn’t sugarcoat the villainous stuff—a guide talks you through the stories of some of the city’s most morally dubious characters and lets you wash the tales down with five shots of different rums inspired by these stories.

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.

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.

See a spookier side of York, without worrying about getting lost, on this guided ghost walk through 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.

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 stop at key sites for a closer look at the city’s most haunted buildings.

York’s history spans nearly 2,000 years, so it’s hard to know where to start on a short visit. Walk with a guide along the city walls and through York’s historic streets, hearing how figures such as Constantine the Great, Robert the Bruce, and Oliver Cromwell shaped the city. Along the way, look out for local plants and wildlife.

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.

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.

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.

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.