Named Europe’s most haunted city, which might lead you to believe that a phantom hides behind almost every lamp-post (and who are we to say they don’t?), visitors flock to York every year for an other-worldly experience. But how do you know where to look?
Here’s our guide to the top Haunted Ghost York tours that operate not only at Halloween, but all year around, many of which have received national and even international awards for the fine experiences they offer.
The Bloody Tour of York
Mad Alice takes visitors on a 90 minute walking tour of the city, down snickleways and side streets recounting the gruesome and grisly past of the city. Her name even adorns one of the alleyways off Petergate – Mad Alice Lane.
Stories of invasions, executions and heads on spikes are rife on every corner. As are tales of some famous historical characters. Discover the true history of the city on this, one of the most fun and fascinating ghost tours for all the family to enjoy.
Tours run every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Call: 07584 855 443
Booking essential: https://www.thebloodytourofyork.co.uk
The Deathly Dark Tours
The Deathly Dark Tours run an award-winning comedy horror ghost walk in the heart of York, a city believed to be the most haunted in all of Europe.
Join one of the weird and wonderful guides, who each have a supernatural obsession with York’s dark history. Together you will walk the streets and talk of some foul and festering things: the night a madman tried to burn down York Minster, a shadowy figure in the alley and the tragic haunting of Bedern Slums…
The tour begins on Grape Lane, outside Quacks Printers, ending either in the shadowy courtyard of St Crux or beneath the looming stones of Clifford’s Tower. A different kind of tour, for those looking to experience the darker side of York with a grim sense of humour.
Suitable for couples, solo travellers and families of all ages. The tour will run whatever the weather and dogs are welcome!
They have also just launched a brand new daytime tour, Foul Fiends and Mysterious Murders.
Call: 07851 032 041
Booking essential: https://www.deathlydarktours.com
Ghost Keeper Tour of York
The Ghost Keeper of York takes visitors along narrow passageways and dark streets to investigate bloodcurdling tales of scandal and death – of phantoms, ghosts, apparitions and supernatural stories of the strange and macabre…
We meet outside the Jorvik Centre in the Coppergate Shopping Centre at 7:30pm – Whatever the Weather – DATES: Friday, Saturday, Sunday February to June / Every night July to October / Friday, Saturday Sunday November to Christmas
Call: 07947 325239
Booking essential: https://www.ghostkeeper.co.uk
Ghost Trail of York
The multi award winning Ghost Trail: 7.30pm from the Minster (West Doors), every night – whatever the weather!
Dare you travel back in time, cross the centuries and experience the stories that make up the hidden and blood chilling history of York’s ghostly tradition? Traditional tales, Victorian tragedies and true accounts of modern day ghostly phenomena create a spine tingling experience that will haunt you forever. Equity qualified. Tours last one hour and ten minutes approx
Call: 01904 633276
Booking essential: https://www.ghosttrail.co.uk
The Ghost Bus Tours York
The York Ghost Bus Tour is a theatrical sightseeing tour around the darker side of Europe’s most haunted city, in a classic 1960s Routemaster bus. Enjoy a hilarious comedy horror show while you see the sights.
Enjoy up to 75 spooky minutes of sightseeing in York on board the Ghost Bus! Your creepy conductor will show you the city’s top sights and give you bone-chilling and humorous insights into some of the more gruesome events in York’s past.
You will encounter all of the top attractions of York, including: Clifford’s Tower, Treasurer House, York Minster and Dick Turpin’s Grave. Whether you are a tourist visiting York or a resident of the city, there is so much that will surprise you about the haunted history of York’s most famous and best loved tourist attractions.
Departing daily form bus stop RE daily, directly outside York station, on Station Road.
Call: 0844 567 8666
Booking essential: https://www.theghostbustours.com/york/
The Original Ghost Walk of York
Believed to be the world’s first ghost walk. We offer professional, artistic production without silly tricks or gimmicks. An evocative evening of intrigue and passion for the more discerning visitor. We explore the history and mystery, the folklore and legends that smoulder beneath our ancient streets. Our local guides are City, County (Blue Badge) or Equity qualified – one even has a degree in Yorkshire ‘history’. The tour is an outside walking tour but some amenities can be accessed if necessary.
Call: 07825 618 123
Booking essential: https://www.theoriginalghostwalkofyork.co.uk
York Witches & History Walking Tour
Experience Yorkshire’s wicked history on this spellbindingly unique walking tour, led by a bewitching guide!
Are you ready to learn some historical facts? Are you ready to be thoroughly entertained?!
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 real 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.
Call: 0330 043 6292
Booking essential: https://witchestour.com/york/
And also don’t miss…
The Wizard Walk of York
Fancy a guided tour of York with a truly magical guide? It is little wonder that The Wizard Walk of York won first prize at the Little Vikings Awards 2023, when it offers such an amazing experience to visitors entranced by the magic of York! Ideal for children aged 5-10 in particular, or bigger kids with a silly sense of humour!
Booking essential: www.wizardwalkofyork.com
The Polite Tourist True Crime Walks
As dusk beckons, and as The Polite Tourist peels back the shadows which lurk just out of view – you will find yourself spirited back to the cruel streets and darkened passageways of a Victorian world and to a place where death was ever present.
And as you walk along the old, unquiet streets and through the dark and crooked labyrinths to a Victorian yesteryear of death and despair, crime, disorder, murder and mayhem – you will hear of the long forgotten tales of those folk who once claimed these streets as their own.
Innovative, meticulously researched and inspired by true crime stories from the Victorian era – our walks are designed to offer an informative and unique experience with a professional and spirited storyteller.
Our coterie of storytellers includes the celebrated Lady Brigante – a sleuth of infamy, wanderer of graveyards and the bête noire of the long forgotten dead.
Call: 07485 216628
Booking essential: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/politetourist
For more details of all the spirits, spells and shadows to be found in York this October, visit https://visityork.org/haunted-york
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