The 15 Tours in York That Earn Their Price

1.Mad Alice’s The Bloody Tour of York -Best Tour Award Europe

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,749 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $20Our pick

Follow Mad Alice, Lady Peckett, or Margaret Pimm through York for a 90-minute walking tour of murders, ghosts, torture, and medieval life. You’ll see York Minster, the Shambles, Roman and Viking sites, and Clifford’s Tower while a theatrical guide mixes solid history with dark humor. It suits families, first-time visitors, and anyone who likes history with a wicked twist.

“The lady that did the event (I think her character was Margaret Pimm), was absolutely fantastic. Her knowledge of York history was great and included so much humour which made it for everyone on the walk I think.”

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2.Daytime Sightseeing Boat Cruise with Live Commentary

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 2,618 reviews · 45 min · from $20

See York from the River Ouse on a 45-minute City Cruises boat ride, with live English commentary from the captain and crew. You’ll pass the walled city, hear about Roman and Viking York, and learn how flooding shaped the city. Choose the heated saloon or upper deck, with drinks and snacks available onboard.

“It was very enjoyable and relaxing. I would have liked it to be longer”

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3.Comedy Horror Show: York Ghost Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,496 reviews · from $26

Join the Necrobus at York Station for a 75-minute English-language comedy horror tour. A creepy conductor, often performing as John Doe or Edgar Crank, and driver Bob guide you past Clifford’s Tower, York Minster, and Dick Turpin’s grave. Expect theatrical storytelling, ghost tales, jokes, and a classic 1960s Routemaster bus.

“Very funny, good for entertainment value fun for something off the cuff to do”

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4.Ghost Bus Tour of York

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,404 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Ride a classic Routemaster through York after dark with a theatrical conductor, passing Clifford’s Tower, York Minster, and Dick Turpin’s grave. Expect ghost stories, local history, comedy, jump scares, and a short walk. The English-language tour lasts about an hour to 75 minutes and costs $27.56 per person.

“Fun and, history brought to life with humour. The tour was just the right duration. Highly recommended.”

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5.Shadows of York: Ghost Walk and Horrible History.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,403 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $18

Join Shadows of York at 6:30 pm outside the Guy Fawkes Inn for a 90-minute walk through York’s darker past. Guides including Dan, Josh, and Mackenzie use theatrical storytelling, grim facts, and local tales around the Minster before finishing near the Shambles. Expect cobbles, cold air, group participation, and entertainment rather than a formal history lecture.

“Dan was fantastic! The tour was fun and informative. He has a theatrical way of explaining the stories so they’re spooky but you learn a lot. If your debating on which tour to book, you won’t be disappointed with this one! Thanks Dan and team 😊”

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6.Private Historical Walking Tour of York

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,324 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.)

Walk York with a private guide such as Alan, Chris, Karen, Sean, or David, starting near York Minster and ending by Clifford’s Tower. Expect two to three hours of stories about the Minster, kings, St Mary’s Abbey, the Shambles, and York Castle, with commentary shaped around your interests.

“I chose this tour because I wanted to learn about all of York’s history from the Romans to the Vikings to Henry VIII to Guy Fawes and everything in between. Chris was an amazing tour guide. He knows sooo much about history and weaves the stories so well. His local knowledge of York is impressive. He went above and beyond to make the day educational and amazing.”

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7.Daytime Sightseeing Boat Cruise in York

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,256 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $20

See York from the River Ouse on a 45-minute sightseeing cruise from King’s Staith. Expect views of Clifford’s Tower, York Minster, the city walls, bridges, gardens, pubs, and riverside parks, with live commentary, indoor and open-air seating, toilets, and drinks available for purchase.

“Great experience, left on time and with helpful and friendly staff. Good value for money and the commentary was really good and insightful aswell.”

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8.Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,231 reviews · 2 hours · from $18

Spend two hours walking from the Cholera Burial Ground to the Shambles with a lively guide such as Ellie, Aaliyah, Molly, or Libby. Expect Harry Potter quizzes, house points, spell challenges, costume pieces, York history, city-wall views, and stops linked with Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Express.

“Brilliant tour. We took our Harry Potter-mad 11-year-old who absolutely loved it, as did we, despite not being such avid fans. Our guide Ellie was fun and engaging, with an epic knowledge of Harry Potter. Highly recommended for a fun, but laid back, alternative way to see York.”

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9.The York Dungeon Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,108 reviews · 1h 15m · from $25

Walk through ten live shows covering 2,000 years of York’s darker past. Expect actors, 360-degree sets, smells, jump scares, audience participation and stories about Vikings, Guy Fawkes, witches and Dick Turpin. The experience lasts 75 minutes, is performed in English, and suits older children, teenagers and adults best.

“Absolutely fantastic time in the dungeon very good acting lots of fun”

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10.York Dungeon Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,108 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.) · from $26

Step into York Dungeon for a theatrical journey through Yorkshire’s darker past. Live actors bring Guy Fawkes, Dick Turpin, Viking raids, prison scenes, and grim local tales to life with audience participation, rides, smells, effects, and jump scares. The visit lasts about 70 minutes, with entry from $26.34 and free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

“This tour was great. The acting was superb and I learned a few things during the tour. We loved it! I would recommend to anyone visiting York to go on this tour.”

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11.City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 954 reviews · 1 day · from $22

Use a 24 or 48-hour City Sightseeing pass to circle York’s major sights, with more than 20 stops, open-top views, and commentary in nine languages. Start at Exhibition Square, hop off for Clifford’s Tower or the Richard III Experience, then rejoin the route. Live guides may include Charlotte, Adam, Nigel, or Dom, though recorded audio is also used.

“Charlotte was an excellent tour guide. She took the time to understand the group and adapted the tour to suit. Super informative and knowledgeable engaging all. Thank you !”

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12.Witches and History Old Town Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 928 reviews · 1h 15m · from $22

Follow a costumed witch guide from Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate through the Shambles, King’s Square, Petergate, York Minster, Stonegate, and Barley Hall. Hear true stories about Mad Alice, Mary Bateman, John Wrightson, and Margaret Clitheroe, plus tales of hauntings, rogues, and York’s darker past. The tour is in English and runs in all weather.

“The Magnificent Merlot was an amazing tour guide, very knowledgeable it amazed me how much he knew & remembered, very talented! He was very funny & entertaining. The tour itself was very interesting & factual, definitely great value for money, I recommend it to anyone interested in witches & York history.”

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13.Wizard Walk of York – WINNER Best Tour & Best of York Award

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 918 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $16Best value

Meet wizard Phoenix by St. Crux Church for a 75-minute family walk through York’s Shambles, backstreets, and Minster area. Expect magic tricks, silly jokes, mythical creatures, and plenty of chances for children to join in. It is aimed at ages 5 to 10, with enough grown-up humor to keep parents entertained too.

“We enjoyed this. My daughter and myself both found it funny. The wizard had a good energy and enthusiasm and nothing felt like it had been repeated all day. Not much history info but took you to some lovely parts of York and good fun!”

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14.City Highlights Small Group Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 867 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $26

Walk York with guides such as Alfred, Sarah, Ferah, and Charlotte on a 90-minute tour limited to eight people. Visit Museum Gardens, the Roman fortress remains, St Mary’s Abbey, York Minster’s exterior, medieval Snickelways, and the Shambles. Expect stories, questions, and a family-friendly route, but bring good shoes and note that Minster entry costs extra.

“Great tour with knowledgeable and friendly local guide. Highly recco, esp if your time is short”

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15.60-Minute ‘Happy Hour’ Cruise For All Ages

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 852 reviews · 1 hour · from $17

Cruise York’s River Ouse for 60 minutes from King’s Staith, with views of York Minster, Clifford’s Tower, York Guildhall, and nearby countryside. An English-speaking captain provides facts, jokes, and local stories. Choose the heated saloon or open upper deck, and buy discounted drinks from the onboard bar.

“I enjoyed the boat trip the guide was full of information to complement the trip”

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