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History and Hauntings Self Guided Tour in York

4.36

( 82 reviews )

$6.99

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Discover the enchanting city of York with this comprehensive self-guided app based walking tour which combines city sightseeing with a short walk along the wall and haunted locations

Highlights 


  • Explore York at your own pace with a self-guided mobile app walking tour 

  • Confused bewteen a city walk/ wall walk and a ghost walk? With this walk you can combine city sightseeing with a short walk along the walls as well as a few stops which you find on a ghost tour 

  • Learn about York's history and the influence of Roman, Vikings and Normans 

  • Walk along the York walls between two gates and take in the views 

  • Listen to three tales of eerie and haunted happenings in the heart of York 

  • Discover facts like the origin of the names "snickleways" and "shambles" 

Preview Stop

Clifford’s Tower
00:00 / 01:04
You could say that I’ve saved some of the best for the last. Named by English Heritage as one of the top ten most haunted spots in Great Britain, visitors to the Clifford’s Tower have reported mysterious footsteps, strange noises and the sounds of children running through the grounds when they were supposed to be empty. Built by William the Conqueror to help tame the north, Clifford’s Tower was the location for one of the worst massacres in British history, when an antisemitic mob trapped York’s Jewish community in the tower. Many chose suicide before they could be murdered by the baying crowd. The tower is also haunted by the ghost of Roger de Clifford, a medieval baron who was hanged here after defeat at the Battle of Boroughbridge, part of a failed rebellion against King Edward the Second. His rotting corpse was left hanging in a cage outside the tower for more than a year after his death. It’s thought that the tower is named after de Clifford. There’s a roof deck on the top of the tower which offers panoramic views over the city, and I encourage you to head on up or maybe come back tomorrow if you’re enjoying this tour after dark, as Clifford’s Tower is one of the best attractions in York. That marks the end of our ghost tour of York. You’ve seen some of the city’s most haunted spots, as well as important historic landmarks and some of the city’s main attractions. I hope you have enjoyed today’s tour and perhaps even spotted a ghostly figure at one of our stops. Do enjoy the rest of your time in York, and thanks for taking this tour with Tourific, we’ll see you again soon. Goodnight… and sleep well… if you can!
About this activity 

Free Cancellation 

  • Cancel up to 2 hours in advance for a full refund 

Valid 365 days 

  • Tour is valid for 1 year and can be used multiple times 

Language Options  

  • English | French | German | Spanish | Italian | Dutch | Polish | Russian | Portuguese

Duration  

  • 1 hour and 30 minutes

Starting point

Clifford’s Tower - google maps - Google maps

Itinerary
St. Mary's Abbey
Walk among ruins of a church, destroyed not by war but by a king's grudge.
Multangular Tower
Spot the line in the stonework where Roman hands stopped and medieval builders picked up.
King's Manor
Trace how an abbot's luxury residence survived the very purge that destroyed the abbey next door.
Bootham Bar
Discover the medieval gates of York, known as "bars," and pass beneath the gate that once faced Scotland.
Robin Hood Tower
Hear why wealthy Georgians fought to keep York's crumbling walls private — and how the public won.
Monk Bar
Discover how this historic bar also served as a home and a site for public proclamations.
Treasurer's House
Hear about the famous sightings of spectral Roman soldiers and other hauntings within this storied mansion.
Statue of Constantine the Great
Discover the modern sculpture of Constantine, commemorating his proclamation as Emperor in York in AD 306 and his legalization of Christianity.
York Minster
Marvel at York Minster, a towering masterpiece of Gothic and medieval architecture, reflecting centuries of craftsmanship and spiritual significance. Discover its stunning exterior and pause the tour if you wish to enter.
Stonegate
Follow the ancient Roman road buried beneath this shopping street, once rutted by ox-carts hauling Minster stone.
Lunds Court
Piece together the tale of Mad Alice on the snickelway that once bore her name.
The Shambles
Explore Shambles, a beautifully preserved medieval street known for its narrow lanes, timber-framed buildings, and rich history as York's primary butcher area. Explore unique shops, enjoy the charming atmosphere, and discover historical sites like the shrine of St. Margaret Clitherow.
The Golden Fleece
Pause at York's most haunted pub, where over fifteen spirits reportedly refuse to leave — including a one-eyed regular.
Merchant Adventurers' Hall
Pause at the headquarters of York's medieval investors.
JORVIK Viking Centre
See where archaeologists unearthed a Viking city preserved beneath modern streets, complete with silk from the Far East.
York Castle Museum
Count the hangings that took place on this site before it traded justice for curiosities.
Clifford's Tower
End at the mound where a hundred and fifty people sought refuge — and never came back down.
St. Michael le Belfrey Church
Pause at the church where Guy Fawkes was baptised — and find out why his old school still refuses to burn his effigy.
Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate
Stand on the world's shortest street with the longest name, and consider why no one can agree what it means.

OR

Download app for instant tour access

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Top Reviews

Teksiz

Good value and interesting your

26 June 2026
I learned a lot from this tour. I did have to keep going back and forth between the app and Google maps to navigate. But I enjoyed the tour.

Nassarm

Simple and easy

21 June 2026
It was great, genuinely a good guide, simple and easy to use.

Frederik

A very informative audio tour.

16 June 2026
Interesting information for a self-guided audio tour. We used this provider in two cities and found both tours to be very good.
Full Description
Embark on an enchanting journey through the city of York! The tour lets you in on the city's secrets and stories as you traverse its historic streets. This self-guided 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. Start your adventure at the St Mary’s Abbey, then climb on top of the wall, pass by the York Minster, wander through the snickelways and ramble along The Shambles, one of England’s most picturesque streets. Listen to ghost stories at a traditional York pub before concluding your tour at the imposing Clifford’s Tower. Along the way, learn about York's rich history, from its Roman roots to its medieval importance and Viking history. Pause to shop or enjoy a bite at one of the many quaint eateries.
Important Information 


  • Instructions with link to app and how to access the tour will be sent to your email post checkout  

  • You can gain instant access to the tour by downloading the app and buying the tour on the app. 

Frequently asked questions

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