PRIVATE TOURS
For all private tours please use the website contact form, call or email us directly to arrange a booking. Please include the name of the tour, the date and time that you would like, and the number of people in your group. Someone will then get back to you to confirm your booking or offer an alternative time if the requested time is not available. These are private tours, so you will be the only people on the tour. For groups larger than 6 please enquire about pricing.
CITY WALKING TOURS
Highlights of York Tour
Start: Micklegate Bar
Terrain: City streets and paths, gravel paths, steps and city walls.
Time: 2-3 hours
Cost: £15 per person per tour for up to 6 people (minimum charge £50).
Description: Starting at Micklegate Bar we join the medieval city walls, following them in an anti-clockwise direction above the station and to the iconic view of York Minster from the city walls. Inspired by the views so far, we head to the Roman and medieval ruins of the Museum Gardens, including St. Mary's Abbey, before heading to Bootham Bar, Monk Bar and York Minster. From the Minster we head through the city centre along Stonegate, past the Mansion House and eventually reaching York's most famous street, The Shambles. Our tour concludes with a visit to the riverside on the way to Cliffords Tower (York Castle).
York Knavesmire and Riverside Tour
Start: Askham Bar Park and Ride (outside the ticket office)
Distance:
Terrain: Gravel paths, grassland, riverside paths and city streets.
Time: 3 hours approximately
Cost: £15 per person per tour for up to 6 people (minimum charge £50).
Description: Get away from the crowds on this walking tour from the edge of the city to the centre. Enjoy the wide expanse of the Knavesmire, the home of York's racecourse and once the site of York gallows, before strolling along the banks of the mighty River Ouse, which has played such a significant part in York's history and has shaped much of the city that we see today. We will approach the city centre along the river bank passing and viewing significant landmarks along the way and learning about how flooding impacts the city and the people who live and work in it. Passing several of York's historic bridges we will end the tour in the beautiful Museum Gardens surrounded by historic ruins, squirrels and the sounds of the city.
History of York Tour
Start: Outside York City Library on Museum Street.
Terrain: City streets and paths, gravel paths, steps and city walls.
Time: 2-3 hours
Cost: £15 per person per tour for up to 6 people (minimum charge £50).
Description: From the Library we head into the ruins of the old St. Leonard's Hospital before heading in to the Museum Gardens to see Roman remains and the ruins of St Mary's Abbey. After absorbing the history and beauty of the Museum Gardens we head to Bootham Bar and join the city walls. Following the walls clockwise, we gain superb views of the Minster before descending to street level at Monk Bar. We now head into town seeing fourteenth century houses and Holy Trinity Church before returning past the Treasurer's House to York Minster. From here we head to York's most famous street, the Shambles, the Merchant Adventurer's House, Coppergate (Jorvik) and eventually finish our tour at Cliffords Tower.
York City Walls Tour
Start: Various, arrange at time of booking.
Terrain: Even and uneven city walls, steep steps, often uneven and roadside pavements.
Time: 2-3 hours
Cost: £15 per person per tour for up to 6 people (minimum charge £50).
Description: Join me on a walk around York's famous city walls, the most complete in the country. See how the walls, and the fortifications that preceded them, have protected the city since the Romans arrived in 71AD. View the ancient and modern city from this unrivalled perspective and take a walk through hundreds of years of history. We will follow the city walls in a clockwise direction, starting and finishing at any of the entry points to the walls and we will step away from the walls at various points to visit places of interest.
York after dark Tour (not a ghost tour) (Coming late 2023 -please enquire)
Start: West doors of York Minster.
Terrain: City pavements, roads and alleyways.
Time: 2 hours
Cost: £55 per tour for up to 6 people.
Description: An atmospheric tour of York's iconic sights, charming streets and hidden corners. this is not a ghost tour, but we do find some darker alleyways as well as beautifully lit streets including the Shambles.
Shorter tours of central York
Start: Either the Museum Gardens or Cliffords Tower.
Terrain: City pavements, roads and alleyways.
Time: Approximately 1 hour
Cost: £10 per person up to a maximum of 6 (minimum charge £30).
Description: An excellent introduction to the city, these tours focus briefly on the main sights in the centre of York, including some of the Museum Gardens, city walls, York Minster, the Shambles and Clifford's Tower, and last approximately 1 hour. The tour can be adapted to suite your needs so please enquire, stating your preferred date and time.
RIVER WALKS
The River Ouse has played a major role in shaping the City of York over the centuries, from being a significant source of trade and a source of food and water, to providing important defensive services to the city. Nowadays the river is well known for boating of various kinds, its riverside cafes and bars and, of course, flooding. Just to the south of the city centre, the Ouse is joined by a smaller tributary, the River Foss, which meanders from the market town of Easingwold, past the villages of Strensall and Haxby and through the northern suburbs of the city. Even though these rivers flow through the city, you don't need to walk far to find greenery and the feel of the countryside. These walks will take you to parts of York that many visitors to the area never see, but are certainly well worth a visit.
Clifton Ings and the North Western Approach to the City
Start: Rawcliffe Bar Park & Ride
Distance: 7km
Terrain: Grassland, gravel paths, concrete and tarmac. Some sections may be muddy after wet weather or recent flooding.
Time: 2-3hours
Cost: £15 per person per tour for up to 6 people (minimum charge £50).
Description: Leaving the park and ride site, we will initially head north west, under the A1237 northern ring road as far as the sluice gate forming the north western reach of the city's flood defence system. This allows water onto the vast Clifton Ings to the south east, where it can be held until the flood risk in the city has reduced. Water is then released via this and another sluice gate at the south eastern end of Clifton Ings, seen later in the walk. We now head down stream, following the flood bank next to the River Ouse, skirting the edge of Clifton Ings as far as the edge of Clifton. This vast flood plain brings the natural world close in to the bustling centre of the city, having a peaceful feel whilst still hearing some sounds of the city beyond.
From Clifton we head under Clifton Bridge and follow the towpath along the riverside, past the boat house and sports fields of St Peter's School, one of the oldest schools in the world, into the centre of York. We see the flood defences built individually for each house and pass the Museum Gardens, home of the Yorkshire Museum. It is at the entrance to the Museum gardens that we finish our walk.
Finish: Museum Gardens entrance on Museum Street from where the Rawcliffe Bar Park and Ride bus will take you back to your car (currently £2pp single -September 2021).
Fulford Ings and the Southern Approach to the City
Start: York Designer Outlet (north east side central entrance)
Distance: 7km
Terrain: Grassland, gravel paths, concrete and tarmac. Some sections may be muddy after wet weather or recent flooding.
Time: 2-3 hours
Cost: £15 per person per tour for up to 6 people (minimum charge £50).
Description: A picturesque walk from the south of the city along the banks of the River Ouse. This river was a key trading route into the city and used by the Vikings to reach the Viking city of Jorvik. As we leave the modern shopping centre at the Designer Outlet, we head towards the river and follow it upstream under the main ring road bridge. We pass the suburb of Fulford and the Millennium foot/cycle bridge before approaching the city centre. Here we pass the River Foss, York's smaller river, before arriving in the old port area and finishing our walk at King's Staith.
Finish: Kings Staith in the city centre.
Exploring the River Foss
Start: Outside Sainsbury's Local in Haxby village (accessed by the No.1 bus from York)
Distance: 11km
Terrain:
Time: 3-4 hours
Cost: £20 per person per tour for up to 6 people (minimum charge £60).
Description: From Sainsbury's we walk east through Haxby across the level crossing on the York to Scarborough railway line, until we reach the path that will take us to the bank of the River Foss. At this point the Foss is fairly small, a little overgrown in places and can be covered with bright green algae, particularly in low flow conditions after a dry spell of weather. It is, nonetheless, a pleasant stroll. We soon pass the old Lock House weir in the trees and cross the river to the eastern bank. We continue downstream on the east bank, with fields across the river on our right and the village of Earswick to our left. We soon cross back over the river by footbridge, following the western bank under the A1237 (the northern ring road) and south towards York. For some distance south from the A1237, we see fields to the west and the suburb of Huntington to the east. We soon reach All Saints Church, built in the 15th century and further developed in the 19th century. Part of an earlier 12th century church still survives in an arcade by the organ. Continuing south, we pass the village of New Earswick on our right, a model village founded by York philanthropist Joseph Rowntree. Parts of the village are today still managed by the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust. We continue downstream with part of Bootham Stray on our right before this gives way to parts of the Nestle (formerly Rowntrees) factory complex. We continue into the city, ultimately finding our way to the Foss Barrier, part of York's extensive and fascinating flood defence system.
Finish: Tower Gardens close to Cliffords Tower.
[email protected]
For all private tours please use the website contact form, call or email us directly to arrange a booking. Please include the name of the tour, the date and time that you would like, and the number of people in your group. Someone will then get back to you to confirm your booking or offer an alternative time if the requested time is not available. These are private tours, so you will be the only people on the tour. For groups larger than 6 please enquire about pricing.
CITY WALKING TOURS
Highlights of York Tour
Start: Micklegate Bar
Terrain: City streets and paths, gravel paths, steps and city walls.
Time: 2-3 hours
Cost: £15 per person per tour for up to 6 people (minimum charge £50).
Description: Starting at Micklegate Bar we join the medieval city walls, following them in an anti-clockwise direction above the station and to the iconic view of York Minster from the city walls. Inspired by the views so far, we head to the Roman and medieval ruins of the Museum Gardens, including St. Mary's Abbey, before heading to Bootham Bar, Monk Bar and York Minster. From the Minster we head through the city centre along Stonegate, past the Mansion House and eventually reaching York's most famous street, The Shambles. Our tour concludes with a visit to the riverside on the way to Cliffords Tower (York Castle).
York Knavesmire and Riverside Tour
Start: Askham Bar Park and Ride (outside the ticket office)
Distance:
Terrain: Gravel paths, grassland, riverside paths and city streets.
Time: 3 hours approximately
Cost: £15 per person per tour for up to 6 people (minimum charge £50).
Description: Get away from the crowds on this walking tour from the edge of the city to the centre. Enjoy the wide expanse of the Knavesmire, the home of York's racecourse and once the site of York gallows, before strolling along the banks of the mighty River Ouse, which has played such a significant part in York's history and has shaped much of the city that we see today. We will approach the city centre along the river bank passing and viewing significant landmarks along the way and learning about how flooding impacts the city and the people who live and work in it. Passing several of York's historic bridges we will end the tour in the beautiful Museum Gardens surrounded by historic ruins, squirrels and the sounds of the city.
History of York Tour
Start: Outside York City Library on Museum Street.
Terrain: City streets and paths, gravel paths, steps and city walls.
Time: 2-3 hours
Cost: £15 per person per tour for up to 6 people (minimum charge £50).
Description: From the Library we head into the ruins of the old St. Leonard's Hospital before heading in to the Museum Gardens to see Roman remains and the ruins of St Mary's Abbey. After absorbing the history and beauty of the Museum Gardens we head to Bootham Bar and join the city walls. Following the walls clockwise, we gain superb views of the Minster before descending to street level at Monk Bar. We now head into town seeing fourteenth century houses and Holy Trinity Church before returning past the Treasurer's House to York Minster. From here we head to York's most famous street, the Shambles, the Merchant Adventurer's House, Coppergate (Jorvik) and eventually finish our tour at Cliffords Tower.
York City Walls Tour
Start: Various, arrange at time of booking.
Terrain: Even and uneven city walls, steep steps, often uneven and roadside pavements.
Time: 2-3 hours
Cost: £15 per person per tour for up to 6 people (minimum charge £50).
Description: Join me on a walk around York's famous city walls, the most complete in the country. See how the walls, and the fortifications that preceded them, have protected the city since the Romans arrived in 71AD. View the ancient and modern city from this unrivalled perspective and take a walk through hundreds of years of history. We will follow the city walls in a clockwise direction, starting and finishing at any of the entry points to the walls and we will step away from the walls at various points to visit places of interest.
York after dark Tour (not a ghost tour) (Coming late 2023 -please enquire)
Start: West doors of York Minster.
Terrain: City pavements, roads and alleyways.
Time: 2 hours
Cost: £55 per tour for up to 6 people.
Description: An atmospheric tour of York's iconic sights, charming streets and hidden corners. this is not a ghost tour, but we do find some darker alleyways as well as beautifully lit streets including the Shambles.
Shorter tours of central York
Start: Either the Museum Gardens or Cliffords Tower.
Terrain: City pavements, roads and alleyways.
Time: Approximately 1 hour
Cost: £10 per person up to a maximum of 6 (minimum charge £30).
Description: An excellent introduction to the city, these tours focus briefly on the main sights in the centre of York, including some of the Museum Gardens, city walls, York Minster, the Shambles and Clifford's Tower, and last approximately 1 hour. The tour can be adapted to suite your needs so please enquire, stating your preferred date and time.
RIVER WALKS
The River Ouse has played a major role in shaping the City of York over the centuries, from being a significant source of trade and a source of food and water, to providing important defensive services to the city. Nowadays the river is well known for boating of various kinds, its riverside cafes and bars and, of course, flooding. Just to the south of the city centre, the Ouse is joined by a smaller tributary, the River Foss, which meanders from the market town of Easingwold, past the villages of Strensall and Haxby and through the northern suburbs of the city. Even though these rivers flow through the city, you don't need to walk far to find greenery and the feel of the countryside. These walks will take you to parts of York that many visitors to the area never see, but are certainly well worth a visit.
Clifton Ings and the North Western Approach to the City
Start: Rawcliffe Bar Park & Ride
Distance: 7km
Terrain: Grassland, gravel paths, concrete and tarmac. Some sections may be muddy after wet weather or recent flooding.
Time: 2-3hours
Cost: £15 per person per tour for up to 6 people (minimum charge £50).
Description: Leaving the park and ride site, we will initially head north west, under the A1237 northern ring road as far as the sluice gate forming the north western reach of the city's flood defence system. This allows water onto the vast Clifton Ings to the south east, where it can be held until the flood risk in the city has reduced. Water is then released via this and another sluice gate at the south eastern end of Clifton Ings, seen later in the walk. We now head down stream, following the flood bank next to the River Ouse, skirting the edge of Clifton Ings as far as the edge of Clifton. This vast flood plain brings the natural world close in to the bustling centre of the city, having a peaceful feel whilst still hearing some sounds of the city beyond.
From Clifton we head under Clifton Bridge and follow the towpath along the riverside, past the boat house and sports fields of St Peter's School, one of the oldest schools in the world, into the centre of York. We see the flood defences built individually for each house and pass the Museum Gardens, home of the Yorkshire Museum. It is at the entrance to the Museum gardens that we finish our walk.
Finish: Museum Gardens entrance on Museum Street from where the Rawcliffe Bar Park and Ride bus will take you back to your car (currently £2pp single -September 2021).
Fulford Ings and the Southern Approach to the City
Start: York Designer Outlet (north east side central entrance)
Distance: 7km
Terrain: Grassland, gravel paths, concrete and tarmac. Some sections may be muddy after wet weather or recent flooding.
Time: 2-3 hours
Cost: £15 per person per tour for up to 6 people (minimum charge £50).
Description: A picturesque walk from the south of the city along the banks of the River Ouse. This river was a key trading route into the city and used by the Vikings to reach the Viking city of Jorvik. As we leave the modern shopping centre at the Designer Outlet, we head towards the river and follow it upstream under the main ring road bridge. We pass the suburb of Fulford and the Millennium foot/cycle bridge before approaching the city centre. Here we pass the River Foss, York's smaller river, before arriving in the old port area and finishing our walk at King's Staith.
Finish: Kings Staith in the city centre.
Exploring the River Foss
Start: Outside Sainsbury's Local in Haxby village (accessed by the No.1 bus from York)
Distance: 11km
Terrain:
Time: 3-4 hours
Cost: £20 per person per tour for up to 6 people (minimum charge £60).
Description: From Sainsbury's we walk east through Haxby across the level crossing on the York to Scarborough railway line, until we reach the path that will take us to the bank of the River Foss. At this point the Foss is fairly small, a little overgrown in places and can be covered with bright green algae, particularly in low flow conditions after a dry spell of weather. It is, nonetheless, a pleasant stroll. We soon pass the old Lock House weir in the trees and cross the river to the eastern bank. We continue downstream on the east bank, with fields across the river on our right and the village of Earswick to our left. We soon cross back over the river by footbridge, following the western bank under the A1237 (the northern ring road) and south towards York. For some distance south from the A1237, we see fields to the west and the suburb of Huntington to the east. We soon reach All Saints Church, built in the 15th century and further developed in the 19th century. Part of an earlier 12th century church still survives in an arcade by the organ. Continuing south, we pass the village of New Earswick on our right, a model village founded by York philanthropist Joseph Rowntree. Parts of the village are today still managed by the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust. We continue downstream with part of Bootham Stray on our right before this gives way to parts of the Nestle (formerly Rowntrees) factory complex. We continue into the city, ultimately finding our way to the Foss Barrier, part of York's extensive and fascinating flood defence system.
Finish: Tower Gardens close to Cliffords Tower.
[email protected]