York

Culture & history tours

The York City Cruise provides an entertaining and informative tour of the historic city as seen from the River Ouse. Enjoy the sights from a different perspective as a friendly and knowledgeable team guides you leisurely up and downstream. Your cruise departs from the King's Staith landing. Admire the scenery from the comfort of the enclosed saloon or the upper deck and treat yourself to a refreshing drink from the bar. The duration of the cruise is either 45 minutes or 1 hour and is determined by the weather on the day and by demand. Your ticket will be valid for whatever duration is offered on the day of your visit. Typically the 1-hour cruise follows a route that heads upstream to Clifton Bridge on the northern outskirts of York city and then downstream as far as the Millennium Bridge on the city’s southern outskirts, before returning back upstream to the original landing stage. The 45-minute cruise operates in the same area without going quite as far in either direction, passing through the center of the walled city. During the cruise, the captain will keep you entertained with live commentary about the sites you pass. Learn about York’s history of flooding and its prosperity as an inland port, as you sail along the river that brought the Romans and the Vikings to this site. You’ll sail on a vessel that features an enclosed and heated saloon, restrooms, and a fully stocked bar serving beers, wines, spirits, soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks.

Get sorted, play quizzes and games, and experience some fantastic costumed re-enactments on this guided walking tour in York. Learn about the Harry Potter universe and history of York. See sights like Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Express platform. Set off on your journey around town, enjoying Harry Potter trivia quizzes from your guide along the way to earn points for your house. Stay engaged with an animated scoreboard, video clips of movie scenes, costume pieces, and reenactments. Have the chance to use your spell knowledge to outwit members of other houses. Marvel at locations, such as the fictional Diagon Alley, and the platform for the Hogwarts Express. Soak in the views from the city walls. Explore the fantastic Harry Potter shop and uncover some of York's hidden gems.

Journey through 2,000 years of York's eerie history with an entry ticket to the York Dungeon. Immerse yourself in the city's dark past with ten live shows and encounter unsettling historical characters as you stroll through specially-designed immersive sets. Start at the beginning as the dreaded Vikings invade and conquer York. Uncover the details of Guy Fawkes' infamous Gunpowder Plot and what really happened that November night. Step inside the carriage to the Knavesmire, where one of history's most notorious Highwaymen returned. Embark on a journey brimming with terrifying characters and feel a chill as you walk through immersive 360-degree sets with thrilling special effects. Learn about real events and people that shaped the city in a unique and exciting way.

Relax and enjoy a romantic end to your evening in York on this 60-minute Floodlit Evening Cruise. Your ticket includes a choice of refreshments; adults and concessions aged 18 and over can choose from a hot drink and a biscuit or a glass of Prosecco. Children and concessions aged under 18 can choose from a hot drink and a biscuit or a soft drink and a biscuit. Sail a circular route on the River Ouse, as you enjoy a relaxing mix of jazz and swing background music. The on-board floodlights will illuminate landmarks along the water edge, as you take in the historic sights of York from a different perspective. You’ll sail on a vessel that features an enclosed and heated saloon, rest rooms and a fully stocked bar serving beers, wines, spirits, soft drinks, hot drinks and snacks.

This 1-hour Early Evening Cruise is an entertaining and informative tour of historic York from the River Ouse. Enjoy the city from a different perspective as a friendly and knowledgeable team guides you leisurely up and downstream. During the cruise, the captain will keep you entertained with live commentary about the sites you pass. Learn about York’s history of flooding and its prosperity as an inland port, as you sail along the river that brought the Romans and the Vikings to this site. You’ll sail on a vessel that features an enclosed and heated saloon, rest rooms and a fully stocked bar serving beers, wines, spirits, soft drinks, hot drinks and snacks.

Make your way to York’s Chocolate Story in the historic heart of York. Meet the guide and spend 1 hour and 15 minutes on an entertaining tour of the attraction. Discover the secrets of making delicious chocolate as you explore the facility’s 3 floors filled with interactive exhibitions. Join a guided tour to explore the history of chocolate, from the discovery of the cocoa bean thousands of years ago to the world famous chocolate-making families of York. Listen as your knowledgeable guide brings the process to life, and hands out the occasional taster, of course. Towards the end of your visit you’ll have a chance to make your own chocolate creation and watch a chocolatier at work, perfect for adults and children alike. At the end of the guided tour, visit the cafe and gift shop, bursting with artisan chocolate and other delicious creations.

Founded by the Romans, York soon became England's Second City and has witnessed wars, peace agreements, and prosperity throughout its 2,000 years of existence. King George VI reflected on the city's central role throughout the years when he said, "The history of York is the history of England". Visit the magnificent York Minster, with its priceless display of stained glass. Walk along medieval streets or on the 800-year-old Bar Walls. Visit award-winning museums, the York Botanical Gardens, or enjoy excellent restaurants and shopping facilities. You'll never be short of places to discover in this wonderful city. Bus Stops: Stop 1 - Exhibition Square Stop 2 - GillyGate Stop 3 - Monk Bar Stop 4 - Foss Bank Stop 5 - Peasholme Green Stop 6 - The Stonebow Stop 7 - Clifford's Tower Stop 8 - Margaret Street Stop 9 - Walmgate Bar Stop 10 - York Barbican Stop 11 - Fishergate Stop 12 - Bishopthorpe Road Shops Stop 13 - Bishopthorpe Road Stop 14 - South Bank Stop 15 - Campleshon Road Stop 16 - Blossom Street Stop 17 - The Mount Stop 18 - Mount Vale Stop 19 - Railway Station Stop 20 - Memorial Gardens Stop 21 - Museum Gardens

Join your characterful witch guide and hear the true historical tales of suspected Yorkshire witches across the ages. Delve into fascinating pieces of York's history along the way too; secrets of St Crux Church, York Minster, Petergate, Swinegate and so very much more await on this character led walking tour. Your friendly costumed guide will enchant you on this exciting escapade, seamlessly weaving history with vibrant storytelling. Did these Yorkshire witches deserve their fates? Cross York’s cobbles and uncover the truth about the likes of Mad Alice – was she driven to insanity? What about John Wrightson, was he really a "Wrong-son"? Mary Bateman; wise woman or murderer? And did Margaret Clitheroe really deserve her fate…? You make your own mind up on this magical educational journey to the past. Be transported through the twists and turns of York's gates (streets!) and snickelways. You will shuffle down Shambles, hop through King's Square, amble along “Bookbinders Alley” and saunter down Stonegate. The breathtakingly iconic York Minster cannot be missed, and your faithful guide will happily point out a pub where a very famous plotter lived. You’ll learn of hauntings, meet a certain little red devil and discover a building that was hidden away for decades… In an experience that brings together true stories, history, and a wisdom that we can learn from our terrible ways of the past, you are sure to be enthralled by this enchanting city and Yorkshire’s rich witchy chronicles. *Please note this is an outdoor walking tour so dress for the weather, my dears.

Enjoy a leisurely one hour hire, exploring York from the helm of your own self-steer motorboat. Become a captain and explore the sites of York’s riverside in style. Your private boat can accommodate up to 5 people and will provide plenty of room for you all to head out on your own aquatic adventure, exploring the same river that brought the Vikings to this beautiful city. You will receive full instructions on how to operate your motor boat along with safety and river rules, whilst life jackets will be provided for any children. Your boat operating area is along a route that will along you to take in the whole city from the river within the one hour. Additionally, on a half hour hire you can operate within this area and will be able to take in most of the built up section of the Ouse, or make your way down stream to the Millennium Bridge and back to the moorings again. Please note that the boats cannot be taken past Clifton Bridge or the Millennium Bridge. You are not allowed to moor the boat up and disembark at any point on the river other than at the at King’s Staith (where your hire first began).

Explore with our medieval Monk Mort, apprentice to the grim reaper. There are shadows on every corner to be explored as we uncover the ghostly tales of York, uncover it's gruesome murders, hear tales of legendary beasts, plague victims and persecution. York has a devilishly dark and occasionally bloody history... Battles, plague and heads on spikes, torture, there is death on every corner. Suddenly as night arrives this beautiful city reveals its hidden secrets. Follow Mort down its dark snickleways as he beguiles you with tales that curdle the blood. Yorks tragic hauntings and devious past await every night, (not Monday) outside The Golden Lion, Church Street. Explore Europes most haunted city with our experienced Monk...If you dare! Please arrive 10 minutes before your chosen departure time. We do not call out inside the pub. Suitable for friends, couples, those single travellers and families of all ages. (over 5 recommend) The tour will run whatever the weather and dogs are welcome! 80-90 minutes duration. Tours attended at visitors own risk. we take no responsibility for accidents or lost belongings on the tours. Children should be supervised by parent/carer at all times.