The 15 Best York Ghost Tours

1.The Deathly Dark Tour of York: Experience of the Year 2024

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,609 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $19Our pick

Follow The Deathly Dark Tours through York’s shadowy lanes for 90 minutes of ghost stories, grim history, and dark comedy. Guides such as Dalton, Daria, Dafydd, and David bring the walk to life with theatrical storytelling. Expect a relaxed pace, family-friendly options, and a few genuinely eerie moments.

“Kids loved it especially our 10 year old son. He was very interested in the story's & enjoyed the walk around York”

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2.Comedy Horror Show: York Ghost Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,032 reviews · 1h 15m · from $26

Ride York’s eerie 1960s Routemaster bus for a 75-minute comedy horror show with theatrical guides such as Frank Stein, Edgar, Phil, or John Doe. Expect ghost stories, jokes, audience interaction, and views of Clifford’s Tower, York Minster, and Dick Turpin’s grave.

“very good tour, and very informative. nive way to see parts of york”

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3.Ghost Bus Tour of York

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,404 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Board a classic Routemaster in central York for a 60 to 75 minute evening tour of haunted sites. Your English-speaking conductor combines ghost stories, local history, jokes, and jump scares while you pass Clifford’s Tower, York Minster, and Dick Turpin’s grave.

“I expected the tour to be stories of the paranormal etc but most of it was done as a joke. I couldn't tell if the places and events were real or not. We got off the bus at one point, this was dangerous as we had to follow the guide over a busy road at night. There was no attempt at safety to ensure everyone was back on the bus. Not in the least scarey, too much emphasis on jokes.”

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4.Shadows of York: Ghost Walk and Horrible History.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,403 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $18

Explore York after dark on a 90-minute ghost walk from the Guy Fawkes Inn to the Shambles. Guides such as Dan, Josh, and Mackenzie mix gruesome history, local tales, humor, and theatrical storytelling while leading you around the Minster and lesser-seen city corners.

“So we had Dan (I think) who was fantastic. His voice carried he include a little humour and was very affable. He wasn’t put off by the locals who made ghost noises. We learned a little on a very cold evening and my only gripe I guess was that for a place that’s the most haunted city in Europe - why did we only get 5 stories?”

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5.Witches and History Old Town Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 928 reviews · 1h 15m · from $22

Follow a costumed guide such as Cornelius Piper, Merlot, Willow, or Nutmeg through York’s old town. Hear true stories of Mad Alice, Mary Bateman, and other suspected witches while visiting the Shambles, York Minster, Stonegate, Barley Hall, and narrow snickelways.

“Merlot is very funny and very informative. My daughter really enjoyed the tour.”

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6.The Deathly Dark Ghost Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 780 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $20

Meet your black-shirted, red-tied guide at 4 Grape Lane for a 90-minute theatrical walk through York. Hear tales of College Street’s plague house, Bedern Slums, and messages from beyond the grave, with guides such as Dalton, Dorian, Daria, and Dafydd bringing dark comedy to the streets.

“Dalton was a fantastic host! The stories were a pleasant mix of eerie and entertaining. Thanks for a great night!”

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7.York Witches and History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 410 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $23

Walk central York with a costumed witch guide such as Nix, Merlot, Willow, or Cornelius. In about 75 minutes, hear witch tales, local history, and quirky stories while visiting the Shambles, York Minster, Stonegate, and more.

“Entertaining tour led by Merlot who was excellent and very upbeat. A bit different from the usual ghost tours. At a good time snd just right length. Would recommend”

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8.Forbidden Chronicles Ghosts and History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 357 reviews · from $16

Start at Clifford’s Tower for an evening walk through York’s darker stories. English-speaking guides such as Nick, Esther, Jack, and Brother Cuthbert mix documented history with ghost lore, torture, plague, and theatrical storytelling before finishing near Lendal Bridge.

“Brilliant tour, me and my girlfriend really enjoyed it. Jack was a great lad taking the tour, enjoyed this.”

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9.Shadows of York: Ghost Walk and Horrible History.

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 333 reviews · 1h 30m · from $18

Meet your English-speaking guide near Guy Fawkes Inn for a 90-minute walk through York’s famous streets and lesser-known corners. Expect detailed tales of plague, execution, and hauntings, delivered with humor by guides such as Dan, Josh, and McKenzie. The route usually ends near the Shambles.

“Such a great tour, enjoyed by me 77 and grandaughter 13, spooky in the dark, great ghosty tales, our guide was very good making me jump once or twice but making the tour so memorable and atmospheric, recommend when visiting the beautiful city of York.”

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10.York’s Forbidden Chronicles- Terrors from the dark side.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 130 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $16

Follow a live English-speaking guide from Clifford’s Tower to The Perky Peacock for 70 to 90 minutes of dark York history. Hear stories of debtors, felons, persecution, witchcraft, and local legends while walking narrow streets. Dogs and service animals are welcome, and children should be aged eight or older.

“Well where do I start. From the moment we started the tour to the moment we finished. We were gripped by the way janine told us the stories of what happened long ago in the streets of Stratford upon Avon. She told the tales with such enthusiasm we could have listened to her all night. She was so knowledgable!!! My only complaint is it was over too soon even though it was an hour and half it went so fast. Well done janine you were absolutely amazing 😊😊. Hilary and Chris sherwin”

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11.Private Ghost Tour of York

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 83 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $90

Walk York privately with a guide such as John, choosing your start point, pace, and favorite haunted sites. Over about two hours, hear more than 200 ghost tales tied to York Minster, the Shambles, the walls, King’s Manor, and Clifford’s Tower, with history taking center stage over theatrics.

“Very informative historical commentary and very eye opening. Thoroughly recommend the tour. John was an excellent host”

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12.York’s Haunted Heart : Ghost, Ghouls and Gallows

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 82 reviews · 1h 30m · from $18

Follow a local guide such as Ellie or Lou through York’s shadowy lanes, passing The Shambles, Treasurer’s House, Clifford’s Tower, and Mad Alice Lane. Expect dark history, ghost stories, humour, and a 1.75-mile walk ending at the Golden Fleece. Small groups, family-friendly storytelling, and guides in English, French, or German.

“Ellie was a fantastic guide. Very knowledgeable and clearly passionate about the stories she told us! We have been on a lot of ghost tours and this was definitely one of the best ones. Not sure if it was Ellie's storytelling, the December air, or a combination of the two, but we definitely had chills! I highly recommend this tour. You won't find better value for money on a ghost tour! LOTS of stories and super interesting!”

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13.Dark Tales of York. Private ghost tours.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 72 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.)

Join Nigel or Gemma for a private York ghost walk lasting about one to two hours. Hear grim tales at the Shambles, Bedern, St William’s College, the Treasurer’s House, and York Minster, with city-centre hotel pickup and a flexible start time.

“We had a great time with Nigel. He knows whereall the spirits live. Interesting and entertaining. Highly recommend this tour”

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14.Dark Tales of York

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 25 reviews · 1.5 hours

Join Nigel for a private 90-minute walk from the Roman Bath pub to York Minster. You’ll hear stories of executions, murders, plague, haunted pubs, and York’s stranger legends while exploring the Shambles, Bedern Hall, Treasurer’s House, and old backstreets.

“We had a great evening on this tour. Nigel was very knowledgeable and a great guide. We enjoyed being the only people on the tour rather than it being a big group like we saw with other tours in the city. We learnt a lot about the history of York and about the strange ghostly activity that’s happened over the years. We would highly recommend this tour, thank you Nigel for a great evening.”

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15.History and Hauntings Self Guided Walking Tour in York with App

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 19 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $7

Follow an AI-narrated Tourific app through 18 York locations, from St. Mary’s Abbey and the Multangular Tower to the Shambles and Clifford’s Tower. You’ll get maps, photos, written notes, and offline access, but no human guide or attraction entry. Allow about 90 minutes.

“Tour includes part of the wall walk that is closed. Also, do not attempt this walk before 10am as gates to first stops are locked.”

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