York's Historic Highlights Private Tour

2–3 hours Free cancellation Private tour

York's Iconic City Walls — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

York's Beautiful Gardens — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Explore York with an award-winning, qualified historian guide! You'll travel back to the time of the romans, walk along medieval fortifications and experience the Victorian boom that all helped contribute to making York the UK's "Second City."

There's no better way to squeeze 2,000 years of history into a single journey while you uncover hidden gems and city secrets you'd never find on your own.

Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Short term availability Weather Dependent - Moderate Agent Low Quality Product

At a glance

Duration: 2–3 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: Moore Walking Tours

What is included

Included

Included: An entertaining tour by a qualified historian.

Not included

Not included: Gratuities

Itinerary

York City Walls

20 min

Walk the UK’s best preserved medieval walls.
York Railway Station

5 min

Get sweeping views of what was once the world’s largest railway station and hear how the expansion of the railway network to York shaped this city.
Micklegate Bar

10 min

Walk through the ‘official’ entrance to York and hear the stories of those whose heads once graced the spikes on top…
Baile Hill

5 min

Stand on top of a WWII Bunker and hear how war-time training has taken place here for centuries.
River Ouse

5 min

Walk along the beautiful river Ouse and take in the warehouses that turned York into a chocolate manufacturing Mecca in the 19th century.
Clifford's Tower

Passing by

See all that remains of William the Conqueror’s York Castle and hear the heartbreaking stories of the blood that was once shed here.

(External visit only.)
York Castle Museum

Passing by

Previously home to England’s most notorious prisoner, hear his story and see the buildings where criminals were kept before being sent off to the wilds of the ‘colonies.’

(External visit only.)
Jorvik Viking Centre

Passing by

Stand atop the UK’s best preserved Viking settlement and hear about the most surprising artefact discovered here.

(External visit only.)
Shambles

10 min

Walk along one of the country’s most complete medieval street (and some say the inspiration for Dragon Alley), there is also a chance to visit the home of York’s martyr saint.
Barley Hall

5 min

Look into the Great Hall of what was once the home of York’s medieval Lord Mayor.
Stonegate

5 min

Walk along one of Yorks’ most popular high streets and hear the story of the industry that used to be based here.
Stop 12

Passing by

See the birthplace of one of Yorks’ most notorious residents and find out how he is commemorated today.

(External visit only.)
St William's College

Passing by

See these classical designed medieval buildings and why the one-time residents were not too happy about what used to take place here.

(External visit only - Building not open to the public.)
Treasurer's House

Passing by

View a stunning Jacobean manor house and hear one of York’s best-known ghost stories.

(External visit only.)
York Minster

Passing by

Walk around one of the most beautiful gothic churches in Northern Europe and hear the surprising history of how it came to be.

(External visit only.)
Bootham Bar

5 min

Walk through the entrance to what was once a Roman settlement and find out which world-famous product originated from a shop right here.
King's Manor

Passing by

Once used by both King Charles I and King Henry VIII, hear what happened within the walls of this beautiful Tudor building, and how it shaped the country as it is today.

(External visit only.)
Exhibition Square

5 min

Stand just outside the York Art Gallery and learn why an unknown artist is credited with preserving the city of York.
Hamlet Of St Marygate

5 min

View damage from the English Civil War and hear the story of why York was spared by the Parliamentarian troops in the 17th century.
St. Mary's Abbey

10 min

Stand in the ruins of what was once England’s wealthiest religious institution and hear the true story of why it was finally closed down.
Museum Gardens

5 min

Stroll through the beautiful York Museum Gardens, and see what remains of previous inhabitants.
Multangular Tower

5 min

Get up close to the remains of a fortress that once marked the northern most edges of the Roman Empire.
St. Leonards Hospital

5 min

Stand within a ruined medieval hospital and learn the unexpected story of a man who once controlled it.

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

I will meet guests under the clock outside WH Smith in York Railway Station.

End point

I will meet you just outside the black gate at the entrance to Museum Gardens (near the bus stop).

Pickup points

Meeting points are flexible. Guests will receive a photograph of me ahead of time so they know who to look for.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.