York Historical Gems Tour & A Taste of York Chocolate
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
York, England
- 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Discover a variety of York's hidden treasures during this walking tour. Uncover the city's culture, history, and best-kept secrets with the help of you guide. From famous landmarks like Bettys and York Minster to tales of Guy Fawkes and Dick Turpin, explore intriguing stories and overlooked marvels. Plus, delight in a chocolatey treat from York’s Chocolate Story, adding a sweet touch to your adventure. Whether you're a local or visitor, experience York in a different light.
- Explore fascinating locations and historical gems in York
- Stop at a chocolate factory and get a taste of York’s famous chocolate
- Walk through the Museum Gardens, Exhibition Square, and St Leonard’s Place
- Learn the story of York’s infamous characters, Dick Turpin and Guy Fawkes
What's Included
- Character guide
- Guided Walking Tour
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 20 Davygate, York YO1 8RJ, UK
Meet in the raised courtyard off Davygate - opposite Cooplands. Arrive 5-10 minutes early to check in for your tour. We are unable to provide refunds for no-shows. The start of the tour cannot be delayed due to operational reasons. If you anticipate running late, please contact us.
End point
- Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma Gate, York YO1, UK
Itinerary
1
York
1 hour 15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 115 reviews
Christian_V, Mar 2026
Shelumbo adds flair and personality to a fun tour! Most of the hidden gems are not something a typical traveler would notice even after countless visits. Highly recommend as we do enjoy York more from the expanded perspective!
joan_s, Dec 2025
Septimus is fun, knowledgable and knows his stuff.
Although I don't understand we are made to write 100 characters minimum . Puts people off writing a review.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words, Joan!
We’re thrilled you enjoyed the Historical Gems tour with our Septimus and found him both fun and knowledgeable.
Just to clarify, TripAdvisor doesn't set the minimum character count to 100 characters, so you’re always welcome to share a longer review if you like!
We hope to welcome you back to York for more hidden history soon.
sharon_d, Oct 2025
A very fun filled few hours exploring York, great facts and getting to know your way around . Would highly recommend
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you!
Rachel_L, Oct 2025
Really good tour and very interesting. Informative and saw a lot of York. Good host who was knowledgeable
Chris_S, Sep 2025
Informative and well presented despite nearby buskers with the aid of microphones and speakers. Well done to our guide, Sepptamus!.
So many facts and interesting nuggets of information.
Stephanie_C, Sep 2025
If was a fun and interesting tour with Sherlombo. A great introduction to York especially the walk through the Shambles.
PAULA_C, Aug 2025
The tour guide, Septimus was very friendly and welcoming, he made everyone feel at ease straight away. He was very knowledgeable and informative with his facts and details. Pointing out things that we maybe wouldnt have even noticed if we were just walking about ourselves. He gave us ample opportunity for picture taking, and even let us take a picture with him at the end. ☺️👍 Overall, a great tour, glad I booked it, and I would highly recommend it to others! X
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to Septimus.
Hannah_K, Jun 2025
It is a quick adventure tour where you roleplay (the only person who is dressed up is the tour guide) as detectives walking around the city while learning facts and history throughout the tour. Very fun. Great guide!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words!
Rebecca_f, Jun 2025
I wanted more history details and less jokes. This tour would be great for some… but I wasn’t into the quirkiness. The guide was very nice but the premise wasn’t my cup of tea.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your feedback, Rebecca.
We’re glad you enjoyed your guide! The York Historical Gems Tour is packed with historical content - dates, events, and fascinating stories - but is delivered in a light and engaging style to make it accessible and memorable for a wide range of guests.
Some guests enjoy the quirkier elements alongside the history, while others prefer a more straightforward approach - we understand our style is not everyone’s cup of tea.
We appreciate your thoughts and continue to refine our tours to ensure both historical richness and an enjoyable experience for all guests.
Peter_R, May 2025
This was a fabulous tour about history presented in a humorous way! Most enjoyable and entertaining while giving a great overview of York and its past. Highly recommended!
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you so much for this lovely review. We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our York Historical Gems Walking Tour. We hope to see you on some of our other tours in the future.
Natalie_M, Mar 2025
Fantastic tour guide, excellent tour and getting to see the sites and history of the city was a great start to the trip
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the tour! Have a wonderful day!
Donna_W, Feb 2025
Wow our Detective Sherlumbo was full of information the gems and tales of the history of York. Fun and engaging. Once we had been shown what we were missing by not looking up. The walk is able to be done my all ages. I would definitely do a tour again.
Also I would like to know where I can get the bag Detective Sherlumbo had with him ?
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Hi Donna,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this lovely review for our York Historical Gems Tour. Detective Sherlumbo will be thrilled to read your response, and we’ll be sure to ask him where he gets his famous detective bag!
Thank you again, and we hope to welcome you on one of our other tours in the future.
Sidharth_J, Nov 2024
It was an amazing tour. Absolutely loved it. I was a real hidden gem which you can’t see by yourself.definitely recommend.
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Thank you so much for your amazing review! Have a great day!
Joan_B, Sep 2024
Great introduction to York and its history.
Character guide was informative and entertaining.
Tour time was just right.
Susan_R, Sep 2024
Nicks was very good, even dressing up for the part, very informative, and answering queries to the best she could, will certainly hope to see her again
melmacrae33, Jul 2024
Fantastic and fun way to see the highlights of York. Our guide was awesome and very entertaining, as well as being very knowledgeable. Short and sweet walking tour. Would highly recommend!
JulieAnn_W, Jun 2024
Our guide was Detective Sherlumbo, he was great fun, very witty and his delivery of historical facts about York is done in a very theatrical way which is most engaging. We learned so much that we would have otherwise missed walking around on our own. Thank you Sherlumbo, we can highly recommend your services!
Linda_F, Jan 2024
We had an interesting tour guide who knew loads of information and who kept in character as an inspector throughout the tour. She made it interesting and fun.
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