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Best Guided Tours in York, England (UK)

  1. York: River Ouse City Cruise | GetYourGuide

    The River Ouse offers a unique perspective on York's rich history, and the York City Cruise offers a fun and educational way to experience it. Experience the scenery from a new vantage point as a kind and informed crew takes you up and downstream at your own pace.

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  2. York: Self-Drive Red Boats | GetYourGuide

    Explore York from the comfort of your very own self-driving speedboat for a whole hour. Assume the role of a captain and cruise the York River in luxury.

     

    Your own boat may hold up to eight people, so you and your friends can go off on an aquatic adventure on the same river that brought the Vikings to this lovely city.

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  3. Comedy Horror Show: York Ghost Bus Tour | GetYourGuide

    Get a chill down your spine as you learn about the city's darkest and most frightening secrets. A 75-minute theatrical sightseeing trip awaits you onboard the Necrobus, so get ready to board.

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  4. York: River Ouse Early Evening Cruise | GetYourGuide

    This 1-hour early evening cruise is an enjoyable and educational tour of old York from the River Ouse. Enjoy a different view of the city as a friendly and knowledgeable staff slowly moves you up and down the river.

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  5. York: Witches and History Old Town Walking Tour | GetYourGuide

    On this walking tour, you'll learn about York's history and the Shambles' mysteries, and you'll get the opportunity to make your own potions. Tread carefully as you stroll through York Minster and Petergate, where these unexplained occurrences took place—the precise grounds where they happened.

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  6. City Sightseeing York Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour | GetYourGuide

    As a Roman settlement, York grew to be the second largest city in England. In its 2,000-year history, it has seen battles, peace treaties, and prosperity.

     

    King George VI said, "The history of York is the history of England," referring to the city's important role in English history.

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  7. York: River Ouse Floodlit Evening Cruise | GetYourGuide

    This 70-minute floodlit evening cruise around York is the perfect way to cap off a memorable evening in the city. Adults and concessions over the age of 18 can pick between a hot drink and a biscuit, or a glass of Prosecco, as part of their admission price. In order to accommodate those under the age of 18, we provide two options: a hot beverage and a biscuit, or a soft drink and a biscuit.

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  8. York Afternoon Tea Cruise | GetYourGuide

    Enjoy this delightful voyage aboard the Captain James Cook boat, with great meals, traveling every day from April to September. Be charmed by this 1.5-hour cruise with a selection of delicate home-made sandwiches, exquisite finger sweets, and a fruit scone with preserve and cream. They are all provided with freshly prepared tea and coffee. This cruise leaves from King’s Staith Landing.

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  9. York City Pass: Access 20 Attractions for One Great Price | GetYourGuide

    New York is a metropolis with over 2000 years of history to explore. Select your own adventure in this fascinating city. After purchase, the York City Pass offers you free entrance to over 20 sites in York.

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  10. York: Evening Dinner Cruise | GetYourGuide

    Interspersed with background music during the two-and-a-half hour cruise, you'll hear an entertaining and educational commentary about the places you'll be passing by while sipping wine and dining.

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  11. York: River Ouse Lunch Cruise | GetYourGuide

    The Captain James Cook boat offers a 1.5-hour cruise and a two-course plated lunch for those who choose to join. Tea or coffee will also be served with your dessert. Only from our King's Staith Landing can you take this trip. You'll begin boarding at 11:30 AM, and lunch will be served at 12:00 PM.

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  12. York: A Harry Potter-Themed Guided Tour of York | GetYourGuide

    Play games and quizzes to help you get organized. Learn about the Harry Potter universe and the history of York while taking in some great costumed re-enactments.

     

    Your guide will take you on a tour of the city, where you'll be quizzed on your Harry Potter knowledge to win points for your home. This interactive experience has an animated scoreboard, video excerpts of movie moments, costume parts, and reenactments, so you can live out your Harry Potter fantasies in York. You can also utilize your magic expertise to outsmart other members of your household.

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  13. From York: Steam Train, Whitby, and North York Moors | GetYourGuide

    Make your journey from York to the historic market town of Helmsley by driving through North Yorkshire's picturesque villages. Enter the North York Moors National Park after passing through Hutton-le-Hole, an awe-inspiring settlement.

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  14. York: City Highlights Small Group Walking Tour | GetYourGuide

    An astonishingly tiny area houses more than two thousand years of history within York's medieval stone walls. It begins at Bootham Bar, the city's northern gate, where visitors can see York's growth from Roman times to the current day, beginning with the city's founding.

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  15. North York Moors and Whitby Tour from York | GetYourGuide

    On this exciting and interesting full-day trip to one of Britain's most beautiful areas, you'll see the best of Whitby and the North Yorkshire Moors.

     

    See the lovely market town of Pickering before travelling off the beaten track into the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, where there will be plenty of opportunities throughout your day to snap great shots and time to appreciate the gorgeous surroundings.

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  16. York: Self-Guided City Sightseeing Treasure Hunt | GetYourGuide

    A fun and unique way to explore York's outdoors is to go on a self-guided treasure hunt. With a few swipes of your phone, you'll be able to explore some of the world's most breathtaking destinations.

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  17. The Yorkshire Dales Tour from York | GetYourGuide

    Escape the busy streets of York for a full-day sightseeing tour to the Yorkshire Dales, and discover one of England’s most magnificent landscapes. Departing York in the morning, travel to the Yorkshire Dales national park, well known for its picturesque rolling hills and flowing rivers that stream down the dales (or valleys) (or valleys).

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  18. York: 1-Hour Small Group Evening Walking Tour | GetYourGuide

    When the shops have closed and the tourist crowds have dispersed, the medieval streets are all yours. This one-hour walking tour is ideal for those who want to experience York with the help of a knowledgeable and friendly local guide.

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  19. Heart of England, North Wales and Yorkshire 5-Day Tour | GetYourGuide

    During this five-day adventure, you'll get to visit the heart of England and North Wales, where you'll be able to see the spectacular Snowdonia Mountains. It is possible to visit York Cathedral, Cambridge University, and Chester Medieval Town in England. You may visit Anne Hathaway's house and William Shakespeare's birthplace.

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  20. From York: Moors, Whitby, and the Yorkshire Steam Railway | GetYourGuide

    Hutton-le-Hole, a typical National Park village, is the first stop on your tour through the Vale of York, where you'll learn about life in Yorkshire.


    The highest point on the moors is Blakey Ridge, where the 16th-century Lion Inn sits. On the way to Whitby, stop in at several of the attractive places along the road and learn about the town's rich heritage. Spend your two and a half hours in Whitby as you like. You may visit the Abbey, view Captain Cook's sights, shop for gothic apparel, or enjoy fish and chips for lunch.

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  21. Shadows of York: Voted Best Small Attraction in York

    See a spookier side of York without the risk of getting lost on this guided ghost tour around the streets and snickelways (alleys) of the medieval city. Listen to your guide narrate tales of York’s horrible history that you wouldn’t otherwise hear, ask questions throughout the way to learn more, and enjoy an unorthodox introduction to the city.

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  22. The Bloody Tour of York - Tourism Award Winner 2022, Experience of the Year

    Skip the typical group tours and uncover an alternative history of York during this award-winning, interactive guided tour of the city. Pass by top attractions—such as the Shambles and Jorvik Viking Centre—while you listen to your guide describe tales of witches, queens, and murders that you wouldn’t hear on most other tours.

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  23. Ouse River Sightseeing Cruise in York

    Sailing the Ouse River for 45 minutes or an hour provides a unique perspective on York. Indulge in a leisurely cruise through York's landmarks, such as Clifford's Tower and the York Museum and Gardens, while learning about the city's history and traditions. From a range of departure times, choose the one that works best for you.

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  24. Steam Trains, Whitby, and the North York Moors Full-Day Tour from York

    See the North York Moors' rough and windswept sections on this full-day tour from York. Drive across the countryside to reach the North York Moors National Park. Learn about the history of Dracula and Captain James Cook while visiting Whitby, an English seaside town. Finally, visit Goathland, where "Heartbeat" and the Harry Potter films were shot, and then ride the North Yorkshire Moors Steam Railway back to your hotel.

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  25. North York Moors and Whitby Day Tour from York

    On this full-day excursion from York, you'll have a chance to experience the wild landscapes of the Yorkshire moors. Take a delightful ride through the North York Moors National Park and see Hogsmeade Station in Goathland, which served as the site for the first film's Hogsmeade Station. At your own expense, you may learn about Dracula's legacy and indulge in some of the city's legendary fish and chips (at your own expense). Then, go to Helmsley, a market town.

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  26. Ghost Bus Tour of York

    This ghost bus tour will take you back in time to explore York's darkest corners. Visit the famed local haunts of restless spirits, such as York Minster, Clifford's Tower, and the tomb of the infamous highwayman and murderer, Dick Turpin, with your scary local guide. You'll learn intriguing stories and facts about York's gruesome past, and you'll visit some of the city's most haunted buildings on the tour.

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  27. Moors, Whitby & The Yorkshire Steam Railway Day Trip from York

    Discover the rugged beauty of rural north England on this 8-hour North York Moors and Whitby day excursion from York. Explore Hutton-le-Hole and Goathland, iconic filming locations for the Harry Potter movies. Delve into the North York Moors National Park for magnificent vistas across the undulating landscape. Soak up Whitby’s beach atmosphere at your leisure, possibly visiting Whitby Abbey, the harbor, or the Captain Cook Museum. On this small-group tour for up to 16 people, you'll go back through the Hole of Horcum and get personal attention from your guide.

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  28. The Deathly Dark Ghost Tour of York : Winner of 4 #LOVEYORK Awards

    Discover York's dark underbelly on this family-friendly tour guided by a guide noted for his dark sense of humor, which will take you from the plague to the Vikings to butchery and murder. As you tour York, you'll see the city's landmarks, including York Minster, the Shambles, and Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma Gate, the dumbest street in England.

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  29. York Walking Tour

    Join us on a relaxing trip through history, mythology, and architecture. Discover how the medieval city lived and grew to become the metropolis we all adore today.

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  30. The Best of York on Foot in a Small Group

    Don’t worry about getting lost in the twisting alleyways of medieval York during this introductory tour of the city, suitable for first-time tourists and those with limited time in the region. You can see many of York's best sights, like St. Mary's Abbey, York Minster, and The Shambles, without having to worry about getting lost, and your guide will help you along the way.

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  31. Dark Chronicles Horror walk of York

    The Chronicles of the Dark When it comes to trekking around York, only the boldest and most courageous adventurers should take on this challenge. 2,000 years of terrible history await you as we take you on a tour of York's most sinister corners.

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  32. 70-Minute York Evening River Cruise

    York's historic sites may be seen from the river on a romantic evening boat down the Ouse River. Depending on your ticket choice, you may have a glass of Prosecco or a non-alcoholic beverage while gliding through the city's lighted skyline and taking in the floodlit riverfront parks and buildings.

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  33. Full-Day Yorkshire Dales Tour from York

    It's hard to see all of the Yorkshire Dales National Park's attractions in a single day without a vehicle rental. A minivan ride through Swaledale and Wensleydale, stone-walled hills, twisting passes, and towns are all part of this small-group trip. Get a guided tour of the area and see Jervaulx Abbey, waterfalls, and market villages, as well as a lunch break (on your own dime).

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  34. Full-Day Heartbeat Locations Tour from York

    On a full-day Heartbeat trip from York, you'll get to see some of the show's filming locales. Explore the wild landscape of the North Yorkshire Moors, stop in at charming towns like Pickering and Goathland, and take a trip to Whitby, a beach resort known for its ties to Dracula. Aidensfield Station, Bernie Scripps Garage, as well as a visit to the Funeral Parlour (own expense), are all places to stop for a drink or a meal on the trip (own expense).

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  35. York Witches and History Walking Tour with Potion Making

    Join this brand-new walking tour with a potion-making demonstration. It's unlike anything else. Fascinating historical tales, with an emphasis on stories about witchcraft or the supernatural,

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How to have an extraordinary holiday experience?

We work with the largest and most reputable travel companies to provide you with a list of curated guided tours for your convenience. We get a small affiliate commission if you decide to purchase any of them without any additional cost to you.

Table of Contents

What are guided tours?

Guided tours are all-inclusive group travel experiences often guided by a local travel guide and follow a set agenda for a particular tourist attraction or local activity. Several sightseeing guided tours, skip-the-line tickets for major tourist destinations, group day/night trips, food and wine tastings, and even airport transfers are available.

Should I use guided tours on my vacations?

Explore and experience your destination like a local.

Take it all in! Receive tailored suggestions before to and throughout your trip to ensure you take advantage of everything your location has to offer. Discover your holiday location through the eyes of a native. Discover a treasure trove of hidden gems!

Avoid scams and pay better prices

Beware of cons! Tourists are frequently taken advantage of by unscrupulous local agents in other countries. Book your guided tours early!

I have a tight budget, can I still buy a guided tour?

Whatever your budget, there is almost certainly a guided tour for you among the huge range available.

Save time, and Get the most out of your trip.

Don’t waste a moment on your trip! Memories aren’t made while standing in line. Book ahead and skip the lines at the world’s biggest attractions.

When you have a tour plan, you know exactly what you’re going to do each day, so you don’t have to worry about any disappointment.

Check reviews before buying a guided tour

Overwhelmed with options and unsure about which guided tour to select? Determine which activities are most suited for you by checking out other user reviews

No risk to you. Free cancellation

For many of the guided tours, you can change your mind and cancel your booking without penalty up to 24 hours before the date of the activity. This is very helpful in the event your travel plans changes last minute

Meet people all over the world, make new friends on your next vacation

It’s wonderful to meet people from all around the world on your guided excursions!

Types of guided tours available for your vacation

Depending on the city you are traveling to, there are just about any guide tours and activities for everybody. There are outdoor guided trips, water activities, Nature routes, Music celebrations, Local food trips, Workshops and Classes, Arts Performances, Hidden Gems exploration, beer or wine drinking and tasting trips, special television & Movies trips, romantic couple trips, children’ activities, tours to Parks and Gardens, Island exploration trips, check out well-known landmarks, Museum guided tours and tickets, Airport transfer services, Memorials for you to explore to under the local culture and history, go up Towers & seeing platforms to get a birds-eye view of the landscape, shopping trips, theaters and concert halls, come by ports and harbors, sightseeing cruise, bikes for rental, helicopter flights, ferryboat tickets, Jeep and SUV for rental, yacht services and sailboat rental.