Top York Private Sightseeing Tours

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.

The North Yorkshire Road Trip Online Guidebook is a structured multi-day journey linking York, the Yorkshire coast and the North York Moors into one route. Covering approx 134 miles (215 km), with flexibility for 3–10+ days. Distances are manageable, but the contrasts are striking: medieval city streets, fishing villages above the North Sea and wide heather moorland across the national park. The route unfolds in three stages. York & the Howardian Hills – Begin in York exploring York Minster, the Shambles and the city walls before countryside around Castle Howard and Malton. The North Yorkshire Coast – Whitby Abbey rises above the harbour while Robin Hood’s Bay and Staithes cling to the cliffs along this dramatic coastlines. The North York Moors – Inland roads cross open moorland linking Rievaulx Abbey, Helmsley, Pickering and Goathland. With 12 months of online access included, choose a booking date that allows time to plan before travelling.