Top Yorkshire Historical Tours

From plague to Vikings to butchery and murder, discover York’s sinister underbelly on this family-friendly tour led by a guide known for his dark sense of humour. See sights such as York Minster, the Shambles and Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma Gate, the silliest street in England, as you hear tales of bygone days, vile crimes and things that go bump in the night.

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.

Escape the city for the wild landscapes of the Yorkshire moors on this full-day tour from York. Set out on a scenic drive through the North York Moors National Park; visit sites from the 'Harry Potter' movies in Goathland like the location used for Hogsmeade station in the first film. Enjoy free time to explore the seaside town of Whitby, where you can learn the legacy of Dracula and try the town’s famous fish and chips (own expense), before visiting the market town of Helmsley.

See a spookier side to York without the worry of getting lost during this guided ghost walk around the streets and snickelways (alleys) of the medieval city. Listen to your guide tell tales of York’s tragic past that you wouldn’t otherwise hear, ask questions along the way to learn more, and enjoy an atypical introduction to the city.

See the historic city of York from a different perspective during a 45-minute or 1-hour cruise on the Ouse River. Relax during a leisurely sail, accompanied by commentary that details the history and culture of York, and enjoy unobstructed views of landmarks such as Clifford’s Tower and the York Museum and Gardens. Choose from several departure times to suit your schedule.

Delve into the dark recesses of York’s history on this evening ghost bus tour. With your spooky local guide, visit notorious local haunts of restless spirits, and pass eerie sites such as York Minster, Clifford’s Tower, and the grave of Dick Turpin, 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. 

Journey back in time on a hop-on hop-off bus tour of York, England’s quintessential medieval town. Your flexible 24-hour ticket enables you build a custom itinerary of York’s main attractions such as The Stonebow, Clifford’s Tower, Museum Gardens and more. With unobstructed views from the open-top viewing deck and 20 possible stops around town, you have the best of the city at your fingertips.

Discover the rugged beauty of rural north England on this 8-hour North York Moors and Whitby day trip from York. Explore Hutton-le-Hole and Goathland, famed filming locations for the Harry Potter movies. Delve into the North York Moors National Park for panoramic views over the rolling countryside. Soak up Whitby’s seaside atmosphere at your leisure, perhaps visiting Whitby Abbey, the port or the Captain Cook Museum. Return via the Hole of Horcum and enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to 16 people.

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.

Without a hire car, it’s impossible to round up the sights of the Yorkshire Dales National Park in a day from York. This small-group tour delivers: with a scenic drive through Wensleydale, as well as stone-walled hills, winding passes, and villages. See Bolton Castle, waterfalls, and market towns, break for lunch (own expense), and get a full rundown on the area from a guide—something you’d miss if going alone.

Experience this entertaining walking tour like no other. Dare to treat yourself to something special. This unique and alternative walking tour features historical tales, with a focus on those relating to Witchcraft, the spooky, and the strange. Your guide will be a characterful witch who will captivate you with this engaging often enlightening and ultimately uplifting experience. Explore the dimly lit streets and spooky snickets of Yorks Medieval Old Town. Watch out on the cobbles as you lend your ears to terrible tales of the Witches of Yorkshire. Tread lightly as you walk on the very ground these mysterious and sometimes sinister events occurred. Please note this is an outdoor walking tour so dress for the weather my dears.

With beautiful architecture and medieval history, York is widely considered among England’s must-see cities—but pounding the sidewalks on foot takes time and effort. On this tour, hop into the saddle and spin through the city streets by bicycle, and hit top attractions like York Minster with ease. Follow safe routes inside and outside the ancient city walls, with your guide bringing York’s colorful Roman and Viking history to life.

Ideal for travelers looking for the flexibility to determine their own itinerary, the York Pass provides access to a number of the region’s top attractions, including Beningbrough Hall, and more. Don’t worry about buying individual admission tickets; instead, use the convenient and hassle-free York Pass to save time on the day, allowing you more time to enjoy the sights.

Swap city sightseeing for a peaceful day on the water in York. With this boat hire experience, enjoy the privacy of being able to drive your own boat and plan a personalized route. Each boat can accommodate up to six passengers, and a map is provided so you don't get lost.

This prebooked York Dungeon admission helps you save time waiting in ticket lines at the entrance, so you can get to the action quicker. Once inside, there’s so much to discover—including a ride, live shows, and interactive exhibits. As you explore the dungeon’s displays, you can learn more about York’s dark history, as well as notorious figures from the past—such as Dick Turpin and Guy Fawkes.

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.

Get oriented with Leeds while touring the city on this group tour. You'll learn about the city from a local guide, who will tell you historical facts as you walk from point to point. You’ll visit many of the city's most important attractions, from the Leeds Town Hall to some of the northern city’s many shopping arcades, all in just two hours.

You don’t have to join a tour group to discover York. This audio walking tour lets you set the pace and pick up and drop the route when it suits you. Hit all the signatures—York Minster, Stonegate, Mansion House, the Shambles, one of the best-preserved medieval streets in the world—and more. The app works online or offline, including geodata, so you won’t need to waste money on roaming charges.

Discover the dark history of York and stories that you wouldn’t find in a guidebook on this out-of-the-ordinary horror-themed walking tour. As you walk past a mix of famous and lesser-known sights, a guide keeps you entertained with historical stories, hidden secrets, and tales of unusual events from the past 2,000 years.

Explore Wensleydale, Littondale and Nidderdale, and discover the delights of the English countryside on this Yorkshire Dales day trip from York. Visit sites of interest including Askrigg and the market town of Hawes before delving deep into the heart of the mighty Yorkshire Dales National Park to enjoy panoramic views over Kilnsey Crag. Travel through Buckden to the picturesque village of Kettlewell, and explore sites made famous in popular British films and television programs. Then, visit the world’s oldest candy shop before returning in comfort to York.

Make the most of your time in Whitby, and discover the seaside town’s legends and tucked-away treasures with an audio tour. This self-guided GPS experience is designed to help you see Whitby in a new light while orienting you to classic attractions such as Whitby Abbey and the Captain Cook Memorial Museum.

Enjoy a fully flexible and independent way to discover York’s highlights and history with this self-led, smartphone audio tour. Upon booking, download the app to your smartphone, and use whenever suits your schedule. With the help of the included GPS map and directions, you’ll discover key landmarks like the York Minster, York City Walls, and the Shambles; will learn about the city’s Viking history; and much more.

Delve into the Dales and discover the scenic heart of Yorkshire on this full-day tour from York. Discover the life of James Herriot with a visit to the World of James Herriot and then explore the scenery made famous by “All Creatures Great and Small”. Set out on an epic circuit of the Yorkshire Dales, stopping to admire the heather-covered moors and peek into traditional Dales villages like Grassington, Hubberholme, and Yockenthwaite. Along the way, pass photo-worthy landscapes like Nidderdale, Kilnsey Crag, and Aysgarth Falls; and discover the Dales’ most famous cheese at the Wensleydale Creamery.