York Private Walking Tour

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Micklegate Bar

  Micklegate Bar is the most significant of York’s four main medieval gateway bars, historically serving as the principal entrance for monarchs arriving from the south. Dating from the 12th–14th centuries, this historic landmark features a 4-storey structure that formerly held a barbican, acted as a prison, and displayed severed heads of traitors.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 2

  Holy Trinity Micklegate is a Grade I listed Parish Church. It is the home of the Monks of Micklegate exhibition and uniquely in York it is the only monastic church still in use following the Dissolution of the monasteries in 1536 before which it was part of a much larger complex.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 3

  The home of the Lord Mayor of the City of York.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 4

  Regarded by the Victorians as one of the most beautiful churches in the city, St Martin's was burnt out in World War II, in bombing known as the 'Baedeker raids' for targeting historic cities. Only the tower and the south aisle survived. After extensive rebuilding, the church was rehallowed as a chapel of peace and reconciliation, and a walled garden was created from the remaining shell.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 5

  Ruins of a medieval hospital founded after the Norman conquest, and largely destroyed under the orders of Henry VIII.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket included
• Yorkshire Museum (Pass by)

  A beautiful building housing five galleries which showcase archaeological treasures plus displays of rare animals, birds and fossils.

  Admission ticket free
• 6
  Museum Gardens

  These beautiful riverside gardens are where an old Abbey once stood and before that a Roman fort.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 7

  The remains of a Roman Legionary fortress established by the Ninth Legion, "Hispana", in AD71-74.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket included
• (Pass by)

  The Multangular Tower in the Museum Gardens is the most significant and intact structure remaining from the Roman walls. It was constructed as part of a series of eight similar defensive towers and is almost 30 feet high and has 10 sides... hence its name!

  Admission ticket free
• 8

  Originally built in 1088, St. Mary’s Abbey is a beautiful historic ruin set in the peaceful Museum Gardens. The remains of the medieval abbey are impressive and give a glimpse of York’s rich past.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 9

  The Edible Wood is located in the York Museum Gardens and was planted in July 2015. The design of the Edible Wood is based on the principles of permaculture and forest gardening, exploring our relationship with food and the future of crop production. It features plants that have an edible component and are both attractive and useful – valuable qualities as home gardens become smaller and people search for multi-functional plants.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  York Art Gallery’s collection of paintings spans more than 600 years and works range from 14th century Italian panels and 17th century Dutch masterpieces to Victorian narrative paintings and 20th century works by LS Lowry and David Hockney.

  Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  Now an education facility, this beautiful complex used to be the residences of the Abbott.

  Admission ticket free
• 10

  At the entrance to an old Roman street, Bootham Bar is a wonderfully imposing old City Gate dating in part to the 11th Century.

  2 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 11
  High Petergate

  2,000 years ago you'd have been standing on the Roman Via Principalis. Today Petergate is one of the most beautiful streets in York and home to one of the most famous views in Britain.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• St. Michael le Belfrey Church (Pass by)

  Historic church in a 16th-century Tudor-Gothic building with a bell tower & Anglican services (Currently being restored).

  Admission ticket free
• 12
  York Minster

  Marvel at one of the greatest buildings in Europe. (If you want to go inside, please pick the special option)

  10 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 13

  Find out why there is a statue in York to one of the greatest Emperors in the Roman Empire.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 14

  This is the only remaining column of 36 that was once part of a grand Roman hall.

  1 minute • Admission ticket free
• 15
  Stonegate

  Sometimes said to be the most attractive street in York, Stonegate is as pleasing on the eye as its history is on the ears. One of the more famous people born here was the infamous Guy Fawkes who we still remember today on the 5th November when he tried to blow up Parliament.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 16
  Guy Fawkes Inn

  Aside from being a very fine pub that we visit on our York Historical Pub Tour, this building was the birth place of the infamous traitor, Guy Fawkes.... Remember, remember the 5th of November!

  2 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• Barley Hall (Pass by)

  When you see how hidden away this wonderful old 14th century townhouse is, you can understand why it pretty much lay forgotten until the 1980's.

  Admission ticket free
• 17

  This old church dates in part back to the 12th century but with a history right up to the modern day. It's not always open but if it is, we can nip inside and look around.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 18

  Explore the medieval maze of picturesque lanes and streets

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 19

  Learn about this remarkable Tudor era lady who after a remarkable life was martyred in a terrible way and is now remembered as a Saint.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 20
  Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate

  A street whose name is almost longer than it is. Find out what it's all about!

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 21

  Just one of several old Roman streets we will go on, this one has been home to Vikings, a Friary, a Tudor cattle market and all sorts. These days there are less cows and a whole lot more nice little shops, pubs and restaurants.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 22
  Merchant Adventurers' Hall

  Still used today, this magnificent medieval guild hall is almost 700 years old.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 23

  Enjoy a stroll along the river Foss that runs through the heart of York before flowing into the great river Ouse.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• Clifford's Tower (Pass by)

  Learn about some of the horrific history at this famous old tower.

  Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  Between the historic Cliffords Tower and the museum is this particularly picturesque square.

  Admission ticket free
• 24

  Fishergate Postern Tower dates from 1505 and is a lovely little fortification on the city walls.

  2 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 25

  Visit the final resting place of the infamous and notorious Dick Turpin.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 26

  Said to be the finest Georgian townhouse in the whole country and now a wonderful museum house. If you don't want to walk on the City Walls, you might want to end the tour here.

  2 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• Jorvik Viking Centre (Pass by)

  The home of all things Viking when it comes to York and the Vikings played a pivotal role in the history of our city. Our tour doesn't ordinarily go in there but if you'd like to go in, please let your guide know and it is no problem at all (tickets not included).

  Admission ticket free
• 27
  York City Walls

  Your chance to do what we've all done at one time or the other, walk on the City Walls from Bootham Bar to Micklegate Bar (Optional)

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Dress code is smart casual
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

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