Ghost Tours · YORK
Every trip has one evening spare. These 14 york ghost tours are worth spending it on, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes.
Ride York’s eerie 1960s Routemaster bus for a 75-minute comedy horror tour led by theatrical conductors such as Frank Stein, John Doe, Edgar, or Phil. See Clifford’s Tower, York Minster, and Dick Turpin’s grave while hearing grim stories, joining in with audience moments, and enjoying a few light scares. English only.
“John doe and Bob we brilliant, really enjoyed the tour”
Ride a classic Routemaster through York for 60 to 75 minutes of ghost stories, dark local history, and comedy. You’ll pass Clifford’s Tower, York Minster, and Dick Turpin’s grave, with occasional stops and lively guides such as John, Phil Graves, or Frank Stein. Expect an atmospheric family show, not a serious paranormal investigation.
“The “ Experience” never happened. My mum and I booked the bus tour for the 16th November. We had took a one night trip to see the markets and spend some quality time together. We booked the tour as we thought it would be fun and something to do in the evening instead of sitting in our hotel room. We arrived 20 mins early for the bus, and waited outside at a bus stop with many other people for our tour to start. By 9pm the bus had arrived but parked down the road. About 10 mins later a member of staff came to us from the bus and just…”
Meet at the Guy Fawkes Inn at 6:30 pm for a 90-minute walk through York’s darker corners. Guides including Dan, Josh, and Mackenzie mix grim history, ghost stories, humor, and street-theater flair. The route passes near the Minster and finishes at the Shambles, with plenty of stops and limited strenuous walking.
“Josh was fantastic. We very much enjoyed his storytelling, and could tell that he genuinely loves the topics. The tour itself is great. It takes you to a few corners of York that you may not see otherwise. It is well-paced, and a decent length of time. Not too intensive at all. Definitely recommend this tour to anyone spending time in York. Thank you again!!!”
Walk York’s old town with a costumed witch guide such as Cornelius Piper, Merlot, Willow, or Nutmeg. Over 75 minutes, hear true stories of Mad Alice, Mary Bateman, and other suspected witches while visiting the Shambles, York Minster, Stonegate, Barley Hall, and small historic lanes. Expect outdoor walking, theatrical storytelling, and weather of every kind.
“Cornelius Piper was a phenomenal guide. He was entertaining and enthusiastic about his work. My children and I enjoyed our tour.”
Meet a guide in a black shirt and red tie at 4 Grape Lane, then follow York’s darker side through stories of plague, ghosts, and the Bedern Slums. Guides such as Dorian, Dalton, Daria, Dafydd, and Davina use acting, sarcasm, and audience interaction. The walk ends near the Shambles or Clifford’s Tower.
“Such an amazing experience! Tour guide was a great story teller and actor, setting the mood in each place we visited. First time on a ghost tour in general, and York is definitely the place for that! Totally recommended, if you love ghost stories and night walks, this is for you.”
Follow a guide in character as a witch through York’s old center, from Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate to the Shambles. Over about 70 to 75 minutes, you’ll hear tales of witches, unusual local characters, magical trees, rats, churches, and York’s medieval buildings. Guides such as Nix, Merlot, Willow, and Cornelius bring plenty of wit and audience interaction.
“It was lovely the only downside, was tbat it isn't a ghost tour. The tour guide was lovely and freandly.”
Walk from Clifford’s Tower through York’s shadowy lanes to Lendal Bridge as your English-speaking guide tells stories of plague, persecution, murder, torture, ghosts, and legendary beasts. Guides such as Nick, Esther, Ellie, Jack, and Brother Cuthbert use humor, drama, and audience participation to separate fact from folklore.
“We really enjoyed our tour, it was fun and very interesting”
Meet near the Guy Fawkes Inn for a 90-minute walk through central York. Guides such as Dan, Josh, and McKenzie blend ghost stories with grim tales of plague and executions, stopping near the Minster, Shambles, and lesser-known streets. Expect theatrical storytelling, comedy, uneven paving, and no jump-scare actors.
“Fantastic tour! Really interesting. Dan was so engaging and funny. Highly recommend.”
Walk York’s old streets with a private guide, often John, who connects ghost tales to nearly 2,000 years of Roman, Viking, medieval, and modern history. Choose your start point, meeting time, and areas of interest. Expect storytelling rather than costumes or theatrical props, with stops that may include the city walls, York Minster, The Shambles, King’s Manor, Jorvik, and Clifford’s Tower.
“We chose this private tour to end the evening after a fantastic meal. John gave our small group of 4 a truly memorable experience, the history of this amazing city from its origins of Roman occupation to the modern day was a lot to take in but made very interesting and real by walking, pausing, familiarising and explaining some great facts from a wealth of knowledge. York was not a place anyone wanted to be sent to, a front line Roman legion who had more scraps than our chippy.”
Follow a local guide through York’s snickelways, The Shambles, Bedern, Clifford’s Tower, and other eerie landmarks. Lou, Ellie, George, and fellow guides mix dark history with humor and ghost tales, ending at The Golden Fleece. The 1.75-mile walk costs $18 and runs in all weather.
“Ellie, our guide was great. Very knowledgeable and funny.. A great night!! We will forever be looking for cats in York”
Walk York with a private guide such as Nigel or Gemma, hearing ghost stories tied to the Shambles, Bedern, York Minster, and lesser-known corners. Tours last about one to two hours, suit groups of up to 15, and can begin at a flexible time. Hotel pickup on foot is available from city-center hotels.
“Gemma was very focused and enthusiastic about her subject. Gave us some information that we didn't know about york”
Follow a self-guided English audio tour through York, from St. Mary’s Abbey and Treasurer’s House to Stonegate, the Shambles, the Golden Fleece, and Clifford’s Tower. Your phone supplies audio, written notes, photos, and offline maps. Go at your own pace, but check the first stops in daylight because some areas may be closed or hard to see after dark.
“Loved the convenience of following a tour at our own pace and time and found the content interesting. However, the intro advises doing the tour after dark, which we did, and found the first two locations closed for the day (and not visible from nearby). We went back in the daylight to complete the tour.”
Join John from York Walls Tours for a private 90-minute ghost walk through York. Meet at the Roman Column by York Minster, your hotel, or another city-centre spot, then follow true stories linked to 2,000 years of York’s past. Expect personal tales, 3D historic-site models, and places large groups cannot visit.
Follow a location-aware smartphone tour from York Castle Museum to Clifford’s Tower. You’ll hear theatrical narration, music, sound effects, ghost stories, and grim tales linked to Dick Turpin and the Shambles. Pause for a drink, walk at your own speed, and return to the tour anytime. No guide or entrance ticket is required.
“What a fabulous little self guided tour. It contained great history, humour and easy to follow instructions. It was simple to pause the tour in order to look at something or pit stop for a drink.”
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