Top York Culture in 2026

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 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.

Movie enthusiasts, this one's designed just for you. Embark on a fascinating journey through York with an interactive tour that features movie trivia and group challenges. Along the way, discover iconic Harry Potter filming locations and enjoy additional elements such as video clips, costumes, and reenactments to enhance your experience. The tour is available in English, French, and German to accommodate more guests.

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.

York’s dark past offers more than ghost stories—but don't worry, there's plenty of those on this tour too. On this guided walking tour, hear about witchcraft, legends, plague victims, persecution, and the chilling reality behind medieval torture as entertainment. It's perfect for history buffs and fans of spooky stories alike.

Take part in this true crime walking tour and uncover the grim realities of York’s criminal past. Along the way, you will learn about executions, arsonists, thieves, forgers, highwaymen, and murderers whose actions left a lasting mark on the city.

Explore York after dark on a spine-chilling guided ghost tour. Wander through Minster's Yard, Pavement, and Precentor's Court as your guide shares chilling tales and eerie historical facts you'd miss exploring alone. Hear stories from England's most haunted inn, the Golden Fleece, and come face to face with one of York's local ghosts. Short and atmospheric, this tour is the perfect way to end a day of sightseeing.

Visiting any new city can be exciting, but challenging and costly to navigate for the first time too. With this York City Pass, heaps of logistics are sorted in one fell swoop. From York Minster to the York Dungeons to York’s Chocolate Story to discounts on hotel stays, this pass makes experiencing a new place so much easier.

Visit some of York's best and lesser-known sights and meet the cast of characters who have helped shape the city, from an ancient Roman outpost to the exciting city of today. • Enjoy three walking tours around the city. One tracing the city wall, another examining its ancient history and the final tour looking at its haunted spots • Hear from producer James Easton, a local resident, passionate about the history • Have complete control over when you start and finish with the ability to linger at stops en route • Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it • Use the virtual tour option at home Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and 3 codes listed under “Before You Go”. Simply install the VoiceMap mobile app and enter your codes. The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. The app has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.

Skip the busy ghost tours, and see the spooky side of York on a self-guided ghost tour. You’ll download a cellphone App, then listen to an audio tour to track down the ghouls and spirits that haunt the city of York. Linger where and when you want, or complete the tour within an hour; the experience is independent so you have the freedom to enjoy it on your own terms.

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.

Immerse yourself in the rich history of York Minster on this in-depth private guided tour. Explore the art, architecture, and grounds of the medieval cathedral—which still retains many original features—while avoiding crowded areas. You may meet the talented stone masons who maintain the historic building or chat with the cathedral's dedicated policing unit.

Learn about York's history and legends on a 2-hour Viking walking tour with a private guide, Sigwulf. You'll walk through town to see historical landmarks and listen to stories from the Viking days. Departure time is flexible to suit your preferences.

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.

Set sail on a romantic evening cruise along the Ouse River and see York’s historic landmarks away from the land-based crowds. Glide past the illuminated city skyline, and admire the riverside parks and buildings when they look most dramatic. Choose from two options: a tranquil Ouse River cruise with an included drink, or the upgraded cruise with the quintessentially English combo of strawberries and cream, plus a drink.

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.

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.

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.

Spend a day exploring the Yorkshire filming locations for both the new and the original BBC version of “All Creatures Great and Small”. From the former surgery and home of Alf Wright to lunch in the pub that was used as the interior of The Drovers Arms, you’ll see some iconic spots. Your driver will get you around in a mini-van where you’ll watch the beautiful Yorkshire Dales roll by.

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.

This is the ultimate Yorkshire Dales adventure! Enjoy the luxury of having round-trip door-to-door transport included on this private tour. Save time by seeing many highlights of the Yorkshire Dales in a day, including Bolton Castle, Askrigg, Pateley Bridge, Hawes, and more. You’ll also visit the award-winning Wensleydale Creamery, where the delicious Wensleydale cheese is produced.

Join us on an insightful walking tour of York, highlighting untold histories and diverse stories. On the Uncomfortable York™ tour, you will go beyond the conventional stories of the city, hearing about the impact of women, people of colour, and LGBTQIA+ individuals from York's past. This tour invites attendees to see beyond the stonework and uncover the lesser known narratives of York, while learning about the long and rich history of the medieval city. Walking through the beautiful city centre, you will discuss its early settlement, medieval expansion and vibrant industrial heritage. This tour was written and researched by academic historians from the University of Oxford and is delivered by trained guides from York. PLEASE NOTE: We cannot always accommodate last-minute bookings for private or group tours. Please contact us directly if you want to book a tour within the next 24 hours.

York’s main sights spread beyond the walled center, making it tiring to cover everything on foot in one go. Ride a hop-on hop-off bus past landmarks such as York Minster, Clifford’s Tower, and the National Railway Museum, with an audio guide sharing background on each. Step off at any of 20 stops to linger where you like, then rejoin the route when ready.

Discover the delights of the English countryside—and make exploring beyond city limits simple, even if you don't have a car—on this full-day trip to the Yorkshire Dales. Departing from York, visit Bolton Castle (admission tickets own expense) and the village of Askrigg before delving into the heart of Yorkshire Dales National Park. Travel to the picturesque village of Kettlewell, and explore sights made famous in British films and TV shows.