Activity York, England

York Private Walking Tour

5.0 (one review) 3–4 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

one review

5.0

York Private Walking Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Weave through historic streets. — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

A private guided walking tour with a dedicated guide around the historic streets of York. We'll take you to the best and most beautiful sights that the city has to offer. Along the way you'll learn about some of the great history of York along the way.

We can customise the route to meet your interests if you want to tweak our regular tour.

There is no other private tour of York like this and we'll visit almost every point of interest in the city as you can see from the details below!

Half-day Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours City Tours Likely to Sell Out Likely To Sell Out

At a glance

Duration: 3–4 hours
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: Ye Olde England Tours

Ages: Infants (5–14 years) · Adults (15–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Hotel pickup from your Central York hotel
Included: Entry ticket to York Minster (Select the option)
Included: Local guide
Included: Private tour
Included: Professional guide

Not included

Not included: Food and drinks

Itinerary

Stop 1

5 min Admission not included

Micklegate Bar is the most significant of York’s four main medieval gateway bars, historically serving as the principal entrance for monarchs arriving from the south. Dating from the 12th–14th centuries, this historic landmark features a 4-storey structure that formerly held a barbican, acted as a prison, and displayed severed heads of traitors.
Stop 2

10 min Admission included

Holy Trinity Micklegate is a Grade I listed Parish Church. It is the home of the Monks of Micklegate exhibition and uniquely in York it is the only monastic church still in use following the Dissolution of the monasteries in 1536 before which it was part of a much larger complex.
York Mansion House

5 min Admission not included

The home of the Lord Mayor of the City of York.
Stop 4

5 min Admission included

Regarded by the Victorians as one of the most beautiful churches in the city, St Martin's was burnt out in World War II, in bombing known as the 'Baedeker raids' for targeting historic cities. Only the tower and the south aisle survived.

After extensive rebuilding, the church was rehallowed as a chapel of peace and reconciliation, and a walled garden was created from the remaining shell.
St. Leonards Hospital

5 min Admission included

Ruins of a medieval hospital founded after the Norman conquest, and largely destroyed under the orders of Henry VIII.
Yorkshire Museum

Passing by

A beautiful building housing five galleries which showcase archaeological treasures plus displays of rare animals, birds and fossils.
Museum Gardens

10 min

These beautiful riverside gardens are where an old Abbey once stood and before that a Roman fort.
Stop 8

5 min Admission included

The remains of a Roman Legionary fortress established by the Ninth Legion, "Hispana", in AD71-74.
Multangular Tower

Passing by

The Multangular Tower in the Museum Gardens is the most significant and intact structure remaining from the Roman walls. It was constructed as part of a series of eight similar defensive towers and is almost 30 feet high and has 10 sides... hence its name!
St. Mary's Abbey

5 min

Originally built in 1088, St. Mary’s Abbey is a beautiful historic ruin set in the peaceful Museum Gardens. The remains of the medieval abbey are impressive and give a glimpse of York’s rich past.
Stop 11

5 min

The Edible Wood is located in the York Museum Gardens and was planted in July 2015. The design of the Edible Wood is based on the principles of permaculture and forest gardening, exploring our relationship with food and the future of crop production. It features plants that have an edible component and are both attractive and useful – valuable qualities as home gardens become smaller and people search for multi-functional plants.
York Art Gallery

Passing by

York Art Gallery’s collection of paintings spans more than 600 years and works range from 14th century Italian panels and 17th century Dutch masterpieces to Victorian narrative paintings and 20th century works by LS Lowry and David Hockney.
King's Manor

Passing by

Now an education facility, this beautiful complex used to be the residences of the Abbott.
Stop 14

2 min Admission not included

At the entrance to an old Roman street, Bootham Bar is a wonderfully imposing old City Gate dating in part to the 11th Century.
High Petergate

5 min

2,000 years ago you'd have been standing on the Roman Via Principalis. Today Petergate is one of the most beautiful streets in York and home to one of the most famous views in Britain.
St. Michael le Belfrey Church

Passing by

Historic church in a 16th-century Tudor-Gothic building with a bell tower & Anglican services (Currently being restored).
York Minster

10 min Admission not included

Marvel at one of the greatest buildings in Europe. (If you want to go inside, please pick the special option)
Statue of Constantine the Great

5 min

Find out why there is a statue in York to one of the greatest Emperors in the Roman Empire.
The Roman Column

1 min

This is the only remaining column of 36 that was once part of a grand Roman hall.
Stonegate

5 min

Sometimes said to be the most attractive street in York, Stonegate is as pleasing on the eye as its history is on the ears. One of the more famous people born here was the infamous Guy Fawkes who we still remember today on the 5th November when he tried to blow up Parliament.
Stop 21

2 min Admission not included

Aside from being a very fine pub that we visit on our York Historical Pub Tour, this building was the birth place of the infamous traitor, Guy Fawkes.... Remember, remember the 5th of November!
Barley Hall

Passing by

When you see how hidden away this wonderful old 14th century townhouse is, you can understand why it pretty much lay forgotten until the 1980's.
Holy Trinity Church

10 min

This old church dates in part back to the 12th century but with a history right up to the modern day. It's not always open but if it is, we can nip inside and look around.
Stop 24

10 min

Explore the medieval maze of picturesque lanes and streets
Shrine of Saint Margaret Clitherow

5 min

Learn about this remarkable Tudor era lady who after a remarkable life was martyred in a terrible way and is now remembered as a Saint.
Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate

5 min

A street whose name is almost longer than it is. Find out what it's all about!
Stop 27

5 min

Just one of several old Roman streets we will go on, this one has been home to Vikings, a Friary, a Tudor cattle market and all sorts. These days there are less cows and a whole lot more nice little shops, pubs and restaurants.
Merchant Adventurers' Hall

5 min Admission not included

Still used today, this magnificent medieval guild hall is almost 700 years old.
River Foss

10 min

Enjoy a stroll along the river Foss that runs through the heart of York before flowing into the great river Ouse.
Clifford's Tower

Passing by

Learn about some of the horrific history at this famous old tower.
Stop 31

Passing by

Between the historic Cliffords Tower and the museum is this particularly picturesque square.
Stop 32

2 min

Fishergate Postern Tower dates from 1505 and is a lovely little fortification on the city walls.
Dick Turpin's grave

5 min

Visit the final resting place of the infamous and notorious Dick Turpin.
Fairfax House

2 min Admission not included

Said to be the finest Georgian townhouse in the whole country and now a wonderful museum house. If you don't want to walk on the City Walls, you might want to end the tour here.
Jorvik Viking Centre

Passing by

The home of all things Viking when it comes to York and the Vikings played a pivotal role in the history of our city. Our tour doesn't ordinarily go in there but if you'd like to go in, please let your guide know and it is no problem at all (tickets not included).
York City Walls

15 min

Your chance to do what we've all done at one time or the other, walk on the City Walls from Bootham Bar to Micklegate Bar (Optional)

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

Travelodge York Central Layerthorpe
Alhambra Court Hotel
The Milner York
Grays Court Hotel
Holiday Inn York City Centre By IHG
Hedley House Hotel. Wellness and Spa
Hampton by Hilton York
The Queens Hotel
Premier Inn York City Centre (Layerthorpe) Hotel
Premier inn layerthorpe

and 32 more pickup points

Please note, if your hotel is located in a pedestrianised district or with no vehicular access then we will meet you at a mutually agreed location.

Using your ticket

Dress code is smart casual
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended

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%

Good to know

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Dress code is smart casual
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

Options

Includes Entry to York Minster

Includes Entry to York Minster: Walking Tour which includes entry tickets and tour inside York Minster

Pickup included
York Walking Tour

Pickup included