The 11 Best Ghost Tours in York, England
If you love ghosts and dark history, York is one of the best cities to visit. The medieval city has over 2000 years of history, and going on one of the best ghost tours in York will add the perfect amount of spookiness to your trip.
When you plan your trip to York and want to spend an evening with ghosts, ghouls, and dark history, I can help you find the perfect tour. So, let’s spend an evening with ghosts, ghouls, and dark history by going on one (or all) of the best ghost tours in York, England.
Whether you prefer interactive and theatrical or something off the beaten track, there is a ghost tour just for you. See below my list of the best ghost tours in York, England, to find your perfect tour.
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The 11 Best Ghost Tours in York, England
1. The Deathly Dark Tour of York
Are you looking for a tour full of ghostly tales, grim history and humour while exploring York?
I highly recommend this tour if you love theatrics, drama, and dark humour. The Deathly Dark Tour of York brings the city to life, and tour guide Dorian blends history and ghost stories with a fun theatrical performance.
The family-friendly ghost tour follows Dorian as he regales you with tales of York’s dark history, including stories about gruesome crime and the paranormal entities still lingering around York’s cobbled roads.
The tour stops at some of York’s most haunted sites, including Stonegate, Minster Yard, the Shambles, Cliffords Tower, and many others.
Not only can Dorian project his voice so everyone can easily hear every gruesome detail, but he is also hilarious and an incredible storyteller.
Book here: The Deathly Dark Ghost Tour of York
2. Mad Alice’s The Bloody Tour of York
Are you craving a more alternative ghost tour in York? The Bloody Tour of York tells tales of witches, murderers and queens! Fill your evening with unique ghost stories and historical tales you won’t hear on other ghost tours.
You will become captivated by tour guide Mad Alice as she entertains you with the history of York’s dark past, its famous inhabitants and how those souls met their grizzly ends.
The Bloody Tour of York provides you with both dark humour and historical facts. It is educational and entertaining! Mad Alice knows how to tell a story.
I think Alice has superpowers (or she is a witch!) because she remembers every guest’s name… it feels really personal and is super impressive.
The tour moves at the perfect pace. As you walk around, it gets darker as the street lights and old-fashioned shop windows transport you back to the 17th century.
The Bloody Tour of York is one of the best ghost tours in York. It is an excellent way to explore the city and learn some history.
Book here: The Bloody Tour of York
3. Ghost Bus Tour of York
Want to explore the haunted places in York in the comfort of a spooky bus? Check out the Ghost Bus Tour of York. This tour takes you through York’s gruesome history as you hear the tales of the spirits at Clifford’s Tower, York Minster, and the history of Highwayman Dick Turpin.
The Ghost Bus Tour offers a theatrical tour for those who prefer more fun than terrifying stories. This tour is one of the best ghost tours in York for families. You ride around York on a bus, and the stories are family-friendly.
You will love the tour guides, Jackie T. Ripper and Bob, and the frightful driver! They really get you excited and make you part of the tour. This tour is immersive. Just be aware that a demon may accidentally possess you or one of your friends! Not to worry, though – you will be saved just in time!
Book here: Ghost Bus Tour of York
4. Shadows of York
If you want excellent storytelling that will delve deep into York’s terrifying history, take a tour with the Shadows of York.
The ghost tour guide, Mackenzie, is a fantastic storyteller who holds your attention while retelling York’s macabre past. She knows her history well and delivers it with humour.
Learn the history of the plagues that hit York and the dark history of the Shambles as you are guided through the winding streets, stopping at the most haunted places in York. This is the perfect ghost tour for people new to the city, so if this is your first time in York, I highly recommend this tour.
Book here: Shadows of York
5. The Spookologist’s Guide to Haunted York
If you love Deathly Dark Tours (my number one recommendation for ghost tours in York), you will love The Spookolgists Guide to Haunted York. This is a small group tour, so if you prefer tours with fewer people, I recommend it if you want to avoid the crowds that usually gather on ghost tours in York.
The tour perfectly blends history, supernatural stories, lore, and the science behind the paranormal. It passes by sites including The Black Swan, Merchant Taylors’ Hall, the Treasurer’s House, and more.
Dorian Darkly is a fantastic guide, and spending an evening with him exploring the paranormal side of York is always a great way to spend an evening.
Book here: The Spookologist’s Guide to Haunted York
6. The Forbidden Chronicles
The Forbidden Chronicles is a tour of the myths, legends, and real stories behind York’s medieval walls.
The Dark Chronicles Horror Walk of York isn’t just ghost stories and lore. Instead, this tour features the real dark and gritty history of York. The tour guides are theatrical, which makes the tour entertaining, informative, and engaging.
Why not head deep into the narrow passageways within York and hear ghastly tales of ghosts, murder and disease? With this tour, you will cover a lot of ground without getting lost through York’s hidden snickelways.
If you want to know more about the hidden secrets of places like the Golden Lion, Kings Square, Ye Olde Starre Inne, Stonegate, and more, be sure to join The Forbidden Chronicles, one of the best ghost tours in York.
Book here: The Forbidden Chronicles
7. Witches & History Tours
If you want to hear more about the history of the Witches of Yorkshire, the York Witches and History Walking Tour is for you.
Follow a costumed guide, a witch, of course, through the dark streets of York, where you will learn about the horrible things witches in England had to endure.
The tour takes you around some of York’s most historic locations, including the Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate, St. Crux Parish Hall, York Minster, and the magical tree at King’s Square.
The York Witches and History Walking tour isn’t all doom and gloom! The witch guides are hilarious, making the experience fun and memorable. Plus, this is the perfect tour for adults and children – it’s not entirely gruesome but still provides you with real history about witches and everything spooky throughout York’s history.
Book here: York Witches and History Walking Tour
8. Private Ghost Tour of York
If you would like to indulge and have a tour all to yourself, you need to take a Private Ghost Tour of York. It is just you and your guide, and customizable to your interests.
You will spend two hours learning about the supernatural history behind York. Then, listen to the tales behind York’s 2000 years of history, from treason to torture to treachery and murder!
If you love history, you will love this tour. The tour guide, John, is knowledgeable and entertaining! This tour is not over the top, full of drama or theatrics like many tours in York.
One of the coolest things about the Private Ghost Tour of York? John has over 200 ghost stories, so if you don’t get around to all of them on your first tour, you can go back and have a completely different tour with different stories. You’ll never get bored with this ghost tour!
This tour takes you to places that most tours miss out on and will even take you to a haunted pub or restaurant for some spooky treats and stories along the way! Just be sure to mention you want to stop when you book your tour.
Book here: Private Ghost Tour of York
9. Dark Tales of York
Spend an hour digging deep into York’s gruesome past with the Dark Tales of York Ghost Tour. Fill yourself with stories of executions, dark deeds and ghost stories galore.
Hear about the grisly tale of mass murders and battles throughout the historic city, including the terrible fate of Saint Margaret Clitherow – the Pearl of York.
The tour will take you to some of York’s most haunted locations and parts of the city that most people miss. The guide, Nigel, is an incredible storyteller who will keep you hooked on York’s spooky stories and horrible histories.
This private group tour is one of the best ghost tours in York, as it can be customized to your interests to make it even better!
Book here: Dark Tales of York
10. York’s Haunted Heart: Ghost, Ghouls and Gallows
One of the best ghost tours in York is hands-down the York’s Haunted Heart: Ghost, Ghouls and Gallows tour. Follow a guide to some of the most haunted places in York, including The Golden Fleece Pub, where you will hear spooky stories about all the ghosts that haunt it.
The tour also includes places such as Mad Alice Lane, Cliffords Tower, Shambles, and Bedern Hall, to name a few. It is spooky but still fun and mysterious, making it perfect for families who want to introduce their children to the haunted history behind York.
What makes this tour stand out is that it offers a themed quiz that makes the stories more interactive.
Book here: York’s Haunted Heart: Ghost, Ghouls and Gallows
11. York: Forbidden Chronicles Night Tour
If you love the real facts behind the ghostly haunted throughout York, you will love the York: Forbidden Chronicles Night Tour.
The tour takes you to places like Clifford’s Tower, Baile Hill and North Street, where you will learn about the city’s dark secrets. The Forbidden Chronicles Night Tour is filled with stories passed down through the ages and the science behind each ghostly tale. You will hear about the history behind York’s mysteries, folklore and legends.
This is also a small group tour that stays out of the super busy areas, so it is perfect for people who prefer a quieter ghost tour experience.
Book here: York: Forbidden Chronicles Night Tour