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  • York things to do - YORKTOUR
    YORKTOUR Logo. Looking for things to see in York. Visit York with YORKTOUR

    YORKTOUR

    See York…

    While standing out from the crowd

    Intimate, award-winning small-group tours of the walled city
  • Visit York with YORKTOUR as your guide
    YORKTOUR Logo. Visit York with YORKTOUR

    YORKTOUR

    See York…

    While standing out from the crowd

    Intimate, award-winning small-group tours of the walled city
  • Walk in centre York with YORKTOUR
    YORKTOUR Logo. Stuff to do in York.

    YORKTOUR

    See York…

    While standing out from the crowd

    Intimate, award-winning small-group tours of the walled city

WINNER 2022 VIATOR/TRIP ADVISOR EXPERIENCE AWARD 

Yorktour has been recognised by TripAdvisor as one of only twenty companies in the north of England to receive a Viator Experience Award - based on exceptional customer ratings and reviews. 

To read our reviews click here:

Why VisitYork

The story of York is the story of England in wood, stone and chocolate. Western Christianity was born here, so was the KitKat. No other place in Britain preserves so much of the country's past in such a small and walkable area. From the Romans to the Vikings to the railway builders, the streets of York are a living picture book of the past 2000 years.

We particularly enjoy catering for families and are always delighted to welcome those younger visitors who like their history horrible…

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WHY CHOOSE YORKTOUR

YORKTOUR is a family business run by husband-and-wife team Sarah Jackson and Alfred Hickling. Sarah and Alfred have been in charge for the past five years, though YORKTOUR is the city’s longest-established tour company and has successfully been in operation for over 40 years. We’re the personal recommendation of US travel guru Rick Steves. 

As a family business we love meeting other families and always try to ensure that everyone from grandparents to grandkids feel equally involved.

About Us: 

Alfred Hickling was born in York has worked as an arts journalist, theatre director and musician. He is the author of the book Yorktour: A Walk Through The Walled City. He particularly enjoys meeting families and showing younger visitors around town. 

Sarah Jackson has lived in York for over 20 years and also works as a textile artist. You can see her work at www.winifredtaylor.com

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Our Itineraries:

All of our tour routes ensure that you won’t miss any of the highlights, including the celebrated Shambles, Minster and city walls. 

But our aim is to take you off the beaten track for two important reasons. By avoiding any over-crowded hotspots we can do our best to ensure that all our visitors are kept safe. And we’ll be showing you an unexplored, secret side of the city that few visitors get to see. 

All of our tours depart from a central meeting point at Library Square - just a few minutes’ walk from the Minster. Look for York Explore Library and Archive YO1 7DS. We will have a sign! All of our routes are fully accessible for wheelchairs, buggies and strollers. We love meeting pets as well!

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The Story Of York: Small Group Walking Tour

Our most popular introduction to the city - 2000 years of history in ninety minutes from the arrival of the Romans to the birth of the KitKat. 

This family-friendly walking tour features all the key sights, including the Minster, Shambles and the idyllic Museum Gardens. But we will also transport you deep into the medieval maze to reveal some hidden secrets few visitors get to see. 

Tours depart twice daily at 10.30 and 14.00 from Library Square  Museum Street  YO1 7DS Duration: 90 minutes 

Price: adults £18.00  

Children 3-16: £9

Infants 0-2: Free 

Pre-booking is required or call us on 07963 791937 

(Please note this is a walking tour of the city and does not include the interior of the cathedral)

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YORKTOUR EVENING EXPRESS

 In town on business? Only free after 5.00pm? York appears at its best as the shadows lengthen and though there are many ghost-walks in the city the truth is far more compelling… This family-friendly tour offers a concise, hour-long introduction to the city's key sights, while the pre-dinner start-time is perfect for working up an appetite. Authoritative, engaging and 100% phantom-free. 

Tours depart daily at 17.00 from Library Square Museum Street YO1 7DS

Duration: 1 hour 

Price: adults £15.00  

Children under 16 FREE 

Pre-booking is required or call us on 07963 791937 

(Please note this is a walking tour of the city and does not include the interior of the cathedral)

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EXCLUSIVE YORK - PRIVATE WALKING TOUR

Why follow the crowds? Explore York with us at your own pace in your own private group. The tour features all of York’s key sights but digs a little deeper into our evolution from Roman fortress to Viking colony and Georgian fashion spot. This is a bespoke service, so we can adapt any route to meet your needs and interests - it’s your tour and we want you to see York your way! 

Private tours are bookable daily at 10.00 am and 14.00 pm 

Duration: 2 hours 

Price: £120 per group of up to 8 participants  Meeting point: Library Square Museum Street YO1 7DS

Pre-booking is required or call us on 07963 791937 

(Please note the tour this is a walking tour of the city and does not include the interior of the cathedral. If you wish to see inside the Minster - subject to admission charges and opening times - please contact us in advance info@yorktour.com )

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Never mind the history, where are the shops?

York has its full complement of high street stores and chain restaurants. Anybody can find those. But the incredible array of specialist, independent outlets is what gives the place its character. And because we live here, we know where they are.


The true delight of York is that you don’t have to make a choice between history or shopping - it’s all in the same place. Some of the city’s most quirky medieval buildings are also its finest fashion stores. Even the Shambles is full of some highly recommendable craft stores and tea rooms. Along this crooked, cobbled street is a shop still selling the best pork pies and sausages in York. The kids may recognise it as the place where Harry Potter bought his wand. Remarkably, it’s a real street rather than a tourist trap, where local people actually do their shopping. And to buy a pound of sausages from the medieval street of butchers - what could be more historically authentic than that?

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Can I see the Minster?

Of course! All of our tours include an introduction to our most famous building from the outside. We are fully accredited Minster guides and can offer private tours of the cathedral if desired - please enquire for details.  Do be aware however that entrance to the Minster has to be booked in advance and is subject to opening times and availability. Guided tours are not permitted in the Minster on Sundays or Holy Days in the church calendar - if you wish to include the cathedral we recommend that you contact us in advance: info@yorktour.com

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Groups and Schools

YORKTOUR is the most experienced and trusted tour company in York for educational visits, providing tours for students of all ages in a variety of international languages.


Please note that at present we can only offer small group visits of up to eight visitors per guide due to social distancing requirements. We will of course continue to review these measures in accordance with official guidelines.


If you are planning to bring a school or college group to York, please get in touch to discuss your requirements and our special educational rates.

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SOCIALLY DISTANCED PRIVATE TOURS - SAFE TOURISM FOR A NEW ERA


We all need to be assured that the activities we choose follow clear, public health guidelines. The good news is that taking a walk in the open air remains one of the very safest ways to enjoy our unique city!

Our tours are personal, friendly and limited to small pre-booked groups. That way we are able to ensure that social distancing can be observed without affecting the enjoyment of the tour. Guides are equipped with visors and follow all current public heath requirements.

We are proud to have been awarded Visit England’s ‘Good To Go’ safety hallmark. 




FAQs

Please click on a question to see the answer.

  • Q: What time are the tours?
    The Story of York runs daily at 2.00 pm. Yorktour Evening Express starts at 6.00 pm. Exclusive York starts at 10.00 am - but if you wish to book a private tour at a different time please contact us to discuss your requirements.
  • Q: How long is the average tour?
    The Story of York lasts 90 minutes. Yorktour Evening Express is one hour in duration. Exclusive York lasts two hours - but we can provide longer half-day or full-day tours if required. Please contact us with any special requests
  • Q: How far will I have to walk?
    York is a compact city and forgivingly flat! You can easily walk from one side to the other in under half an hour. The Evening Express route is less than a mile. Other routes cover approximately a mile-and-a-half at a very gentle pace.
  • Q: Are the tours wheelchair accessible?
    Absolutely - all the standard itineraries are fully wheelchair-accessible; and York has the great advantage of being small and step-free. Strollers and buggies are also welcome.
  • Q: What if it rains?
    Bring an umbrella! We never cancel due to adverse weather conditions. The extremes of British climate have been known to make the experience more memorable. (Please note, however, that access to the city walls may be limited if it becomes icy)
  • Q: Are other languages available?
    We can provide guides who speak French, German, Russian, Italian, Turkish and Mandarin - for other languages please enquire [insert contact button]. We are also experienced at running tours in clear, uncomplicated English ideal for language students and those for whom English is not their first language.
  • Q: Are admission fees included?
    There are no additional extras for any of the sites visited on the standard tours. If you wish to include the Minster as part of a private or group booking there is an entrance fee, currently £11.00 per person/£10.00 seniors (or £9.50 for groups of ten or above) which needs to be paid by cash or card on entry. All of our guides have completed the Minster’s training course and are qualified to take visitors round the cathedral.
  • Q: How long do I need to see the Minster?
    You could easily spend a life-time: though more realistically we’d recommend an hour to an hour-and-a-half.
  • Q: Can pets come too?
    Of course, we’d love to meet them!
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Testimonials

Testimonials:

‘The tour was beyond excellent - thank you so much…’ Northleach Decorative and Fine Arts Society

 'Bringing over seventy international students to any new city is always a challenge. However York Tours took the stress away and gave our students a wonderful insight into their beautiful city. Thank you and see you next year'. Neil Bullett Social Officer, University of East Anglia

 Your tour was really enjoyable, genuinely interesting, coherent and funny at the same time with everything coming nicely together. Despite the rather adverse weather all the guests loved it and have asked me to pass on their thanks. So, once again many thanks for a very special experience and please rest assured that myself and my colleagues will have no reservations in recommending your company wholeheartedly….’ Department of Health Sciences, University of York

 ‘It was great meeting you, everybody thoroughly enjoyed the tour and we had a great day in York. Thank you so much for making the day memorable’. Lincoln University History Society

 ‘Gave a real sense of the whole city - we will have to come back!’ Babel Language School, Perugia, Italy

 ‘You were a very nice talking man’ RK Travel Group (Sweden)


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+44 (0) 7963 791937

info@yorktour.com

Registered office: 1 Elmfield Terrace, York, YO31 1EH

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