Top Experiences in Clifford's Tower

Your private tour starts opposite Clifford's Tower outside Castle Museum, where the former officer-guide will give you insight into York’s lengthy criminal history, up until the present day. Hear tales of the serial killer known as the Yorkshire Ripper, the unusual dealings at the York Magistrates Court and the old police station where police officers first started working from in 1892.

Hear about the stories of dark dealings along the River Ouse, as you make your way to Dick Turpin’s grave site. Wander down The Shambles, one of the city’s 14th-century streets, which lent its likeness to several Harry Potter films, including where Harry and his friends hid from the Death eaters.

Your guide will tell you of the abounding mysteries in the city’s sites which have stood for more than 2000 years, one of the world’s oldest police forces and of the city’s oldest inhabited house.

*IMPORTANT NOTE: This tour is offered in ONE LANGUAGE ONLY. Please make sure you BOOK THE CORRECT LANGUAGE on the day that it is available.*

The Saints and Sinners Tour looks at the history of York through the eyes of those who shaped it.
Meet the King, the Bishop, the Highwayman, the Chocolatier, the Martyr, the Terrorist, the Emperor, and the Artist.
Do you know their names? What do you know about their lives? Where can you find their traces in the city? Were they saints… Or sinners..?

I am your guide: Irene, an art historian born in Madrid and living in York for the last seven years.
Join me on a fascinating walk around York to discover all this and more!

Let your own private guide take you around the world famous city of York, which is at its most beautiful during the Christmas season. Your bespoke tour will include visiting some of the key sites of the city, in addition to a number of our hidden gems usually missed by tourists, with your well informed and friendly guides.

Join us for this half day walking tour of York, which gives you a great overview of this beautiful city in Yorkshire. This walled city has so much to offer, from Roman history, through the Vikings, to the Chocolate merchants and Harry Potter.  Maybe you’re passing through the area, but if not it’s just a 2 hour train ride from London, it’s easily reachable for a day trip.

The Bloody Tour of York is the multi award winning* tour of the City.
Join Mad Alice as you wander down the medieval streets hearing the gruesome history the city has to offer. Ghosts, Witches, murderers, Kings and Queens have all left their bloody footprints.
An entertaining, educational and a fascinating look at Britain's best loved city, Mad Alice promises a night to "Remember, remember..."
Suitable for all ages.
*Yorkshire Choice Awards 2023
*Yorkshire Post Awards 2023
*Visit York Tourism Awards 2022
White Rose Awards 2020
*Visit York Tourism Awards 2020
* Visit York Tourism Awards - Experience of the Year 2019
*Visit York Tourism Awards - Guided Tour of the Year 2019
*Visit England Tourism Awards - Tourism Superstar, Bronze Award 2018
*Visit York Tourism Awards - Visitor Experience of the Year 2018, Highly Commended
*Winner York Culture Award - Performing Artist 2016

A private guided walking tour with a dedicated local guide around the narrow streets of York.  We'll take you to the best and most beautiful sights that the city has to offer.  Along the way you'll learn about some of the great history of York along the way.

Forget about crowds, schedules or lines! With this self-guided experience, your smartphone is your new private guide.

Discover history hiding in plain sight in the beautiful city of York! This is an entertaining and informative experience for everyone to enjoy - whether you’re a local or a newcomer to the city.

Here you will learn about religion, roman conquerors, revolutions, the true history of Vikings, Saints, infamous Massacres, Harry Potter and much more. You will also get an overview of the characters who played an important role, such as Roman Emperors from thousands of years ago, King Charles I, Guy Fawkes, the most terrifying Viking Kings ever documented like Ragnar Lothbrock or Harald Hadrada (who happen to have lived here in Jorvik) and much more. Plus, you'll get insider recommendations so you get the most out of your visit.

PS: You will get an email with a code when booking (this code is different from your booking reference number!) and step-by-step instructions.

Get your bearings and discover York with an exclusive 1.5hr Private Tour, with your own expert guide. Our tour is all about spending time with a local, as well as uncovering our long history.

Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the city as you travel back through the centuries to discover our turbulent history, and how it has shaped York into the vibrant place you see today.

From the first Viking incursions when York was known as Jorvik, to a bustling market town and religious centre for England, to today's stunning cobbled streets packed with history, see it all on your guided tour of York with a local guide.

Walk in the footsteps of Vikings and Romans, discovering our famous Roman walls, our magnificent churches and see the context of York today in our rich history on your tour.

York is amazing. King George VI once said, 'The history of York is the history of England'. Well he wasn't wrong. The city has been home to Romans, Saxons, Vikings and Normans. It has been the 'capital' of the north and has been a centre for trade, commerce and power through the centuries. Today York is a vibrant, modern city with one of the best windows on the past that you will ever find.

Join me on a tour of my fascinating home city to learn more about its history and what has made it the city it is today. Walk in the footsteps of Roman soldiers and marauding Vikings, pass through medieval streets, stand in the shadow of one of the world's great cathedrals and take in the view from the city walls.

If you want to know where all the cool stuff to look at in York is, no fuss, easy, then this App is made for you.
Travel isn't A to B it's all the colourful bits in between, the nooks and crannies, the secrets.
This limited guide puts you in the driving seat, you open our map and see what you want to see ultra easy and with a 48 hour window an absolute bargain.
Gunpowder
York Witch - She was hanged alongside two men on Monday 20 March 1809. After her execution, her body was put on public display in Leeds and strips of her skin were tanned into leather and sold as magic charms to ward off evil spirits.
Dick Turpin - Highwayman.
A Plague House - With the ghost of a child peering out the window. (By appointment only)
Alleyways that lead to magical views

If you want an easy, stress free, meander through the city with our map to guide and look too whenever, then you my friend are a true traveler.
“Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.” John Lennon.

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.

We offer a guided historical tour of the fabulous city of York, the Capital of the North. Step into history with one of our knowledgeable guides and see the amazing sights of the city and hear all the history behind them. Our tours are guided by experienced historians and can be up to 3 hours in length, with breaks for refreshments if you wish, depending on your requirements.

York Pass is a sightseeing card which gives visitors free entry to top attractions, museums and monuments in York.

It includes a free 24 Hour hop on hop off bus tour
Once purchased, you will receive your digital pass directly to your email address for use on your mobile device. Simply show your pass at the attraction to gain entry.

A number of attractions require online pre booking to gain admission with a York Pass.
Please note attractions are busy at peak periods and we recommend booking at least 48 hrs in advance

Your York Passes open the gateway to adventure and they include a 24-hour ticket for the City Sightseeing Bus and City Cruises York’s River Cruise. The pass doesn’t stop there!

See your favourite York landmarks with this hop-on, hop-off open-top bus tour around the town's best loved sites, with a live guide. Sit back and relax as our experienced guide regales you with fascinating information about York Minster, Micklegate Bar, Clifford’s Tower and much more. You can hop-on and hop-off at any of the 20 stops. A great history lesson for kids young and old, with a chance to have a more interactive experience. It’s been a while since we’ve been able to see the iconic monuments of this great city, so join us and visit the best of York! We will not be providing single-use masks on this tour, although customers are welcome to provide their own.

The first tour of the day starts at 10:00am from Exhibition Square

Join for a discovery walking tour of York, which gives you a fantastic overview of this beautiful city. Understand the history of this great walled city (and walk on the walls), from Roman history, through the Vikings all the way to chocolate.

Discover York’s sinister side on this 1-hour ghost bus tour, led by a hellishly hilarious guide. Visit some of city’s spookiest sights and learn about the restless spirits whose sightings have earned York the accolade of the most haunted city in the world. From your blood red seat aboard a Routemaster — a classic double-decker bus — pass by top historical attractions such as York Minster, Clifford’s Tower and the grave of the notorious highwayman Dick Turpin.

Guided bike tour of York, inside and outside the city walls.  Starting at a central location in the city.  A 2 to 2.5 hour tour with multiple stops to hear the stories of the saints and sinners, the good and the evil, from Romans and Vikings to the sweetness of chocolate makers.  Although factual, your guide will tell the grisly tales in a lighthearted way.  The route is planned for safety and the best stopping view points and is mainly on quiet roads or designated cycle paths.

Are you looking for a way to see York without joining a tour group? Explore at your own pace with this affordable walking tour.

• Walk the Shambles, one of the best-preserved medieval streets in the world, and spot the story of Adam and Eve carved into York Minster’s Great West Door
• Hear from producer James Easton, a local whose passion for York's history led him to create this bestselling VoiceMap tour
• Do it all in 90 minutes or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish
• Get unlimited use before and after your booking date
• Use the virtual tour option at home

Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then install the VoiceMap app and enter your code.

The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.

Explore the ancient city of York on a 24 hour unlimited hop-on hop-off bus tour. This sightseeing extravaganza will take you to all of the best places of interest, including Clifford's Tower, Monk Bar, Exhibition Square, The Stonebow, Museum Gardens and much more! The beauty of a hop-on hop-off service is that you can create your own schedule and discover this fabulous destination at your own pace. The double-decker bus provides you with an audio tour commentary in 10 languages, teaching you all about York's fascinating past as you cruise around. There's so much to learn about this northern city, which was originally founded by the Romans. You'll also get to experience panoramic views of these historic landmarks, thanks to the open-top deck.

A tour 6000 years in the making!

Discover York on this highly rated history tour as we head off the tourist beat to discover the real history of York.
From the cities origins, we look at the defences, and architecture, Robert the Bruce, Oliver Cromwell, Constantine the Great, kings and queens and many others who would shape the cities rich past.

Along the way you'll see the flora and Fauna, city walls, and snickleways as we debunk the cities myths and walk in the footsteps of Romans to tourist!

No stone is left unturned on this exciting story of York.

Discover York from a different perspective on sightseeing and scavenger hunt of the city. Solve riddles and clues that lead to the next location, showing all the city highlights.

Solve interesting puzzles, have fun, and learn new things about the city. Explore the city and find hidden gems at your own pace. Try a new type of experience with your smartphone, the perfect mix between a walking tour, sightseeing, and a scavenger hunt.

Enjoy the tour in English.

The tour is back for 2021!

It is especially aimed at those who are looking to have an enjoyable, entertaining walking tour combined with a focus on capturing the magic of the beautiful city of York for your memories & social media posts.

The tour lasts 3 hours and takes you off the beaten track into areas that visitors often miss. You will learn some history and experience some wonderful sights and you will make a connection with the city that will stay with you.

I believe in creating intimate experiences & moments that stay with you. The maximum group size I normally work with is limited to 10. However, in line with Government guidelines this is reduced to 5 for now.

Small groups mean everyone stays involved & engaged & you can ask as many questions as you like. It also means there is always someone to help you to create your images with tips on how to capture the perfect shot or to take shots of you against some stunning backdrops that will get plenty of reaction on social media.

Discover the extraordinary Viking history of York, and the incredible tales of the most famous Vikings of them all - Ragnar, Ivar the Boneless, Erik Bloodaxe and Harald Hardrada. Why was York such an important Viking city, and why were so many Viking battles fought here? Find out why in this exclusive, personalized 2-hour walking tour of Viking York. ... meeting you at a time and location to suit you (for example at your hotel) there are no set times to meet or big groups to join with, this is your own tour which you can take at your own pace. For a small additional fee this can also include a stop off at an authentic Viking Themed Bar in York (great in the cold weather!), located on the same site as the legendary Viking Kings of York!

This tour will take you across the historic centre of York and stop at a number of independent businesses, each one of which will provide you with generous examples of their fabulous food & drink. You'll get to enjoy Yorkshire Cheeses, Fish & Chips, Tacos, Chocolate and Pintxos with Sherry before choosing a sweet or savoury finale with a well earned Yorkshire ale!

While walking between the venues you'll hear a bit about the history of York and pass by several of the cities major attractions such as York Minster, Cliffords Tower and the City Walls.

Your guide is a York based food writer who knows the city and its hospitality scene intimately. He's been featured in the Lonely Planet guide, is a coordinating judge for the Guild of Fine Food and helps run York Food & Drink Festival....You can recognise him by the cutlery tattoos!

Let your own personalised tour guide take you on a spectacular trip round this world famous city at night. You are provided a unique guided tour experience and picked up at your hotel or elsewhere in town at a place of your choosing, at a time that suits you. You will be taken around the major historic points of interest in York, without a big group to tag along with or time schedules to keep, and even arrange coffee or food along the way at some of York's very best food and drink establishments. Private tour means it will be operated with just your guide and you.

Your own personalized tour guide, taking you on a spectacular trip round the world famous city walls! You are provided a unique guided tour experience - you will be picked up at your hotel, or in town at a place of your choosing, at a time to suit you. You will be taken around the walls, no big groups to tag along with or time schedules to keep, and even arrange coffee/food along the way at some of York's very best food and drink establishments.

When you've booked for a tour you'll be met at the Guy Fawkes Inn, opposite Michael Le Belfrey's church. From there you'll learn about the famous conspirators and the gun powder plot, in the very birthplace of Guy Fawkes himself!

We'll then preceed to York Minster yard, where you'll learn all about the Minsters rich history. We'll also visit several other famous spots in York, including The Shambles, Museum Gardens, and many more!

The important thing to remember when booking, is that no 2 tours are the same! Depending on how much time you have and what your interests are I'll make each tour as personalised as I'm able.

The tour stops listed are just a few of many other places I can take you in York, so if you decide to come back for another tour, you can guarantee it will be very different from the previous excursion!

However, if you find you're pressed for time, that's not a problem! I can focus on the places you're interested in, and wrap everything up to fit into your schedule.

Immerse yourself in historic sights and obscure quirks as you solve riddles and progress on your treasure hunt style adventure. Once your tale starts you’ll unravel cryptic clues to unlock the hidden path to a location within walking distance. Decode the clue and search nearby to find the answer. All on your mobile phone.

--"We had a great time, seeing some interesting hidden gems and generally 'observing' more than you normally do!"
--"This was great fun for a sunny day out! Right mix of hard and difficult questions and a good walk too :)"
--"A lot of fun - we've done a lot of these and this was up there as one of the best"
--"Just completed the York trail - great fun walking round the city!! Really enjoyed it thanks."
--"Thank you so much it was great to be honest!"
--"Was great fun and a good way to see the city"