Best York Cultural Tours in 2026

York , Yorkshire

From $ 26.90

Why follow the crowds? At Yorktour we believe a great tour should also be a fun conversation, which is why we guarantee there will be no more than eight participants so everyone can ask questions and no-one needs to worry about being left at the back! This family-friendly walking tour includes all the key sights - including the exterior of the Minster and the celebrated Shambles - though we will also lead you deep into the medieval maze of ‘Snickelways’ to follow in the footsteps of the Romans and Vikings who created York. Above all, our tours rely on great storytelling rather than gimmicks - so if we can’t remember everyone’s names there must be too many people taking part!

York , Yorkshire

From $ 20.18

The tour begins inside The Guy Fawkes Inn (on High Petergate, 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 proceed 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!

York , Yorkshire

From $ 17.49

Step off the beaten path into the beating heart of York’s rich, rebellious past! This highly rated walking tour isn’t your average stroll—it’s an adventure through 6,000 years of real history, gripping stories and your chance to discover all you can on your visit. We’ll explore the city’s mighty medieval defences and how they evolved to keep out everyone from invading armies to enticing tourists. Marvel at York’s architectural wonders, from Roman stonework to the craftsmanship of medieval masons whose skills shaped the skyline we see today. Discover the powerful guilds that once ruled the city’s economy, their grand halls, and the “cash crops” that fuelled their rise. Constantine the Great to Oliver Cromwell, Robert the Bruce to kings, queens, history’s biggest names walked these streets, and now, so will you. Wander along city walls and down ancient streets, as we bust myths and reveal the truth behind the past. This is York unleashed: gritty, glorious, and unforgettable.

York , Yorkshire

From $ 21.52

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

York , Yorkshire

From $ 13.45

⚠️ HUMANS ARE ALREADY THE MASTERS OF FEAR - York’s past isn’t just history. It’s a hauntingly good story. Offering Yorks best alternative to a ghost walk. real horror doesn’t wear fangs. York’s past is drenched in blood, superstition, and strange stories.. Explore ghostly tales, decide what’s real, what’s legend. Peek into the curious world of paranormal science & alchemy. Uncover the chilling truth behind persecution, plague, & a time when torture was the medieval social media of the day. Are these eerie tales simply childhood spook stories — or were they used to control, punish, and persuade? It’s a twisted history lesson wrapped in myth, murder and Mystery. ️ Perfect for: Curious minds Brave souls Sceptics, believers & history lovers ️ Duration: 75–80 minutes Departure: On time (ghosts don’t do late) Families welcome – parental discretion advised (you know your little goblins best- we recommend 8+) ⚠️ Attend at own risk.

York , Yorkshire

From $ 21.52

An entertaining and immersive tour of York from Roman times to the present day. There will be plays, suprises and stories about Roman toilets, Dick Turpin's execution and Black Death Cures. Will you be the one to take home the Time Traveller's Tour Trophy?

York , Yorkshire

From $ 21.52

Join your character guide and get an up-close walking tour experience of the city and its delightful hidden gems. Get ready; culture, history, heritage, and best kept secrets await. You will pass by famous landmarks and have some of their surprising secrets revealed; Bettys, Bootham Bar and York Minster to name but three. You’ll learn the unknown truths of York’s most infamous characters Guy Fawkes and Dick Turpin. Your savvy guide will point out treasures hidden in plain sight that even locals don’t know about; concealed courtyards, unusual statues, secluded snickelways, and curious artefacts that are so often simply passed by. Included on this charming tour is a delicious taster from York’s Chocolate Story. This local treat hand-picked by our partners adds a satisfying savouring in a city steeped in chocolate history. Whether you’re a visitor or a local, our Historical Gems Walking Tour will allow you to get to know this beautiful city through a different perspective.

York , Yorkshire

From $ 16.81

90 minute Daily Festive Walking Tours, exploring the History, Tales and Traditions of Christmases Past. The streets of York have been witness to celebrations for nearly 2000 years. Explore the medieval streets beneath the twinkling lights and discover the traditions and history of this Wonderful Winter City. Put your Christmas Jumper on and join Blue Badge Tourist Guide, Sarah Cowling, for a socially distanced experience to capture the Spirit of Christmas. Discover if York really England's most Christmassy City? Where did Rudolph get his Red Nose from? Which Grinch tried to cancel Christmas? and Which famous author read his stories in York and made us a present of Boxing Day? We will hear tales of Christmas Past, from the bacchanalian celebrations of Roman Britain to the Midwinter Feasts of the Vikings. They have all left their mark on our festivities today Come and get into the spirit of things in Britain's original Christmas City - we might even find some takeaway mulled wine!

York , Yorkshire

From $ 7.77

Most visitors choose between a highlights walk, a wall walk, or a ghost tour. This self-guided tour gives you the best of all three in a single route — from Roman ruins and Viking history to chilling tales told at the right moments, in the right places. With your phone as your guide, you'll walk atop the ancient city walls, squeeze through snickelways, and hear why the Golden Fleece pub claims over fifteen resident ghosts. This tour is ideal for those who are in York for a day and want to get a taste of everything that York has to offer while having the freedom to linger and dive deeper into the sites that capture their interest. Pause for a pint, duck into the Shambles for photos, or linger inside York Minster — then pick up right where you left off. No group to keep up with, no fixed start time. Available in 9 languages with offline access. Over 20,000 travellers have used our self-guided tours. If it's not for you, it comes with a full refund guarantee.

York , Yorkshire

From $ 11.99

York’s streets have been witness to countless stories. On this lighthearted walking tour, you’ll discover York’s fascinating past through humorous storytelling, historical anecdotes, and playful character encounters. From Roman legionaries to medieval monks and Victorian innovators, the city’s 2,000 years of history will vividly come to life. The tour starts at Clifford’s Tower, a historic Norman fortification with a turbulent past. You’ll weave through York’s atmospheric streets and ginnels, encountering historical figures like William the Conqueror, Constantine the Great, and Guy Fawkes along the way. The Silly History Boys narrate stories of Viking invasions, Roman settlements, religious persecution, and medieval commerce through comedic sketches and entertaining dialogue.

York , Yorkshire

From $ 16.14

Gunpowder, Plot and Treason A Walking Tour Through York’s Darkest Legends Step into the shadows of York’s bloodstained past. From the birthplace of Guy Fawkes to the final cries at Clifford’s Tower, Gunpowder, Plot and Treason unearths the city’s most chilling tales of rebellion, betrayal, and forgotten heroes. Follow in the footsteps of criminals, martyrs, and monarchs — and discover the dark heartbeat that still echoes through York’s ancient streets. History is written by the victors — but on this tour, you’ll hear the whispers of those who dared to defy them.