York Old Town Witches and History Walking Tour

Explore York's Old Town on a guided walking tour led by a professional character guide through snickelways, the Shambles, and the history of witchcraft.

Getting started

Meet your professional character guide at the designated starting point in York's Old Town and check in a few minutes before the scheduled time so the tour can start promptly. After a short introduction to the route and housekeeping, you set off on foot into the historic streets. Dress for the weather and be prepared for uneven surfaces, steps, and cobblestones throughout the walk.

What to expect

York Old Town

York Old Town forms the backdrop to this fully guided walking tour that blends local history with tales of the supernatural. You follow your guide through central streets and hidden passageways while hearing the chilling true stories of Yorkshire's accused witches.

Features

• A guided walking tour of York Old Town is the core of this experience, with your professional character guide leading you through key historic areas while delivering immersive storytelling.
• Along the way, you walk through snickelways and historic streets, using these narrow passages to trace routes linked to witchcraft accusations, spooky events, and strange happenings.
• The storytelling is suitable for ages 8 and above, and the content focuses on true historical events, detailed narratives about Yorkshire's witches, and themes of the spooky, the strange, and the supernatural.

Shambles

The tour builds toward a finale on the historic Shambles, one of York's best-known streets, recognized for its overhanging buildings and layered past. This area is presented as a place steeped in dark and dramatic history that ties together the themes explored on the route.

Features

• Your guide uses the Shambles setting to connect earlier stories of witch trials and local beliefs, highlighting how this compact street reflects centuries of everyday life and fear of the supernatural.
• As part of your inclusions, you visit the Shambles as the historic street finale of the walking tour, giving you time to absorb the atmosphere and take photographs.
• After the walking tour, you can use your Witches Tour ticket to claim 10% off at the Duke of York pub in King's Square, a benefit that lets you extend your time in the area with discounted food or drink.