Top York Holidays in 2026

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.

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.

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.

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.

Delve into the eerie history of York with the Witch Walk, a 90-minute guided tour led by the enigmatic Ragnell Hagathorn. This engaging adventure weaves together haunting tales of witches, ghosts, and other supernatural elements, perfect for both thrill-seekers and families. As you stroll through the historic streets, expect a blend of folklore, humor, and theatrical storytelling that brings the dark past of York to life. Suitable for ages 8 and up, this family-friendly tour ensures a captivating experience for all. The walk operates rain or shine, so dress for the weather and prepare for a memorable evening. - Guided walking tour lasting approximately 90 minutes - Family-friendly and suitable for ages 8 and above - Experience ghost stories alongside folklore and theatrical elements - Begins at St. Helen’s Square, York at 7:30 PM

Chocolate fans—this is the one for you! Rather than simply buying chocolate from a shop in York, this experience allows you to learn how to make your own chocolate bar from scratch. Learn special techniques used by chocolatiers—such as how to temper chocolate, and experiment with different flavor combinations too. At the end of the lesson, enjoy the perk of being able to take your chocolate bar away with you.

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.

During the festive season, the historic city of York is undoubtedly at its most magical. Enhance your expereince of York at Christmas time on a private 2-hour walking tour, ideal for families and first-time visitors. Alongside your personal guide, you’ll visit top York attractions such as York Minster and The Shambles, and learn about the city’s 2,000-year-old history. Being a private tour, the itinerary and start time can be customized according to your interests.

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.

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.

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.

Our Party Passes offer a flexible way to experience popular weekend nightlife venues. Designed for both small and large groups, they provide pre-arranged guestlist access to selected bars and clubs across the UK. You are free to visit as many or as few of the included venues as you wish, at your own pace, making this a great option for those who prefer an independent night out rather than a fixed itinerary. This experience is not a guided tour. There is no host and no timetable to follow. Instead, your group is placed on the guestlist at each participating venue. On arrival, simply give your name at the door to receive guestlist entry. Where a standard door charge applies, entry is included at no additional cost.

Learn the full magic of creating chocolate from the raw cocoa bean to your own finished chocolate bar. We’ll share with you the secrets of the chocolate making process, to create your own chocolate recipe. During the workshop you will: Learn how to develop flavours and qualities from each stage of the cocoa bean processing. Learn how to combine ingredients to create desired chocolate recipes. Make a personalised signature chocolate blend to your own recipe. Beautifully package up your creations so you can enjoy them or re-use them at home in your own recipes. Go home with recipes and your newly found chocolate knowledge. Each participant will receive approximately 500g of your own chocolate as well as the recipes and technical worksheets to be able to develop your chocolate making skills further.

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.

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 lanes and stories of one of England’s most atmospheric cities on this Private York Historical Pub Tour — an unforgettable journey through centuries of rebellion, intrigue, ghosts and good cheer. York is a city layered with history: Roman foundations, Viking streets, medieval walls and Georgian elegance. But some of its most vivid stories are told not in museums — they’re told in its pubs. On this private walking tour, we visit a hand-picked selection of York’s most historic and characterful taverns. We begin at the birthplace of Guy Fawkes, the Guy Fawkes Inn, before descending to Roman remains beneath the Roman Bath. Hear ghostly tales inside the famously haunted Golden Fleece, soak up centuries of atmosphere at the Blue Boar, finishing by the river at the flood-prone yet beloved King's Arms. A complimentary drink is included in every pub. Relaxed, private and entertaining, this is York’s story told as it should be: in historic pubs, one glass at a time.