The 6 Walking Tours in York That Earn Their Price

1.Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour

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

Join a live guide such as Ellie, Aaliyah, Molly, or Libby for a playful two-hour walk through York. You will earn house points through Harry Potter quizzes, see places linked to Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Express, admire York’s walls, and finish near the Shambles.

“Ellie our tour guide was fantastic her Harry Potter knowledge as well as knowledge of York was great, even though it was a ‘walking’ tour there wasn’t to much walking, Ellie also broke the tour up with fun Harry Potter themed quizzes that we could earn points for our ‘houses’ and a few other little challenges that made it fun and a brilliant family friendly experience”

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2.Witches and History Old Town Walking Tour

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

Follow an English-speaking witch guide for 75 minutes from Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate through the Shambles, York Minster, Stonegate, Barley Hall, and Shambles Market. Expect true tales of Mad Alice, Mary Bateman, and other suspected Yorkshire witches, mixed with local history, humor, hauntings, and theatrical storytelling.

“Our guide the Magnificent Merlot was amazing. There was dramatic flair with story telling, laughs and some amazing historical facts!”

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3.City Highlights Small Group Walking Tour

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

Follow Alfred, Sarah, Ferah, or Charlotte through York’s Roman ruins, Museum Gardens, Minster precinct, medieval Snickelways, and the Shambles. This English-language tour lasts 90 minutes, costs $26, welcomes families and well-behaved dogs, and keeps the group to eight.

“The tour was amazing! Alfred’s knowledge and the way he shared information were superb. I absolutely recommend it.”

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4.J&M’s City Sightseeing and History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 346 reviews · 1 day · from $16Best value

Meet beside Constantine the Great at York Minster for an English-language walking tour led by guides such as Nick or Liam. Walk the walls, Shambles, King’s Square and historic guild buildings while uncovering Roman, Viking and medieval York through clear stories, dry humour and myth-busting detail.

“The guide was highly knowledgeable and we enjoyed the our”

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 333 reviews · 1h 30m · from $18

Meet outside the Guy Fawkes Inn for a 90-minute English-language walk through York’s old streets. Guides including Dan, Josh, and McKenzie mix ghost tales with plague, executions, local history, and sharp humor. Expect the Minster, the Shambles, lesser-known corners, uneven paving, and no jump scares.

“I absolutely loved the tour walk with McKenzie. she was engaging and entertaining. The group was 20ish people and a good size, not too big. I would recommend this tour for history as well as ghosts.”

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6.Private Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 2 hours Top rated

Join an English-speaking local guide, often Alfred or Sarah, for a private two-hour walk through York’s snickelways, Shambles, city walls, Minster area, and Museum Gardens. Expect stories, gentle pacing, and clear answers about York’s Roman, Viking, Norman, and Tudor past. York Minster admission is not included.

“Alfred our tour guide was very informative and all our family enjoyed his tour and knowledge of York”

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