Private Ghost Tour of York: 2 Hours After Dark

Two hours walking York's most haunted streets with one guide who knows the real stories.

A private ghost tour of York lasting around two hours, shaped to your schedule and pickup point, with a live English-speaking guide who tells verified ghost stories tied to the city's actual history. The guide collects you from your hotel or another convenient spot in the city centre, and the tour covers sites including Clifford's Tower, York City Walls, The Shambles, Treasurer's House and York Minster. No actors, props or invented tales. Just local history and the hauntings behind it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. York Minsterpass by
2. Treasurer's Housepass by
3. York City Walls15m
4. The Shamblespass by
5. Jorvik Viking Centrepass by
6. York Castle Museumpass by
7. Clifford's Towerpass by

Private ghost tour of York city

• Meet guide at chosen location
• Hear York's real ghost stories
• Explore York Minster area
• Visit Treasurer's House
• Walk along York City Walls
• See The Shambles street
• Visit former Abbot of St Marys house
• Pass by Jorvik Viking Centre
• Pass by York Castle Museum
• Pass by Clifford's Tower
• Enjoy refreshments at local spots (optional)

The experience

York holds over 200 ghost stories, and your guide picks the ones that fit what you want to hear. Because the tour is private, you move at your own pace without a large group or a fixed schedule. The guide prepares a bespoke route just for you, starting and ending where and when you choose. The stories are rooted in genuine local history. Each haunting has a reason, a person, a moment in the city's nearly 2,000-year past that explains why that place is said to be haunted.

The walk takes in Clifford's Tower, a motte-and-bailey castle that once controlled Northern England; York City Walls, a world heritage site where Roman, Viking and medieval defences sit in the same stone; The Shambles, the most famous medieval street in the world but one with a dark history; and Treasurer's House, home to one of the world's most famous ghost stories. York Minster and the site of the old Abbot's House round out the atmospheric trip through hidden areas most tourists miss. Refreshments can be arranged along the way at local coffee shops, pubs and restaurants at your own expense, and your guide can also handle restaurant bookings or advice about other things to do in York.

The guides are not actors and don't wear Victorian outfits or use props. What they do is tell you the verified truth of each ghost story and back it up with the history of the area and the reasons why it might be haunted. The tour operates in all weather, so dress warmly and for the conditions.

What’s included

• Private tour with a live English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup and drop-off by foot for city centre hotels.
• bespoke route tailored to your interests and schedule.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 80 years) · Youth (16 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 15 years) · Infant (under 5): free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.You can choose from 18 pickup points.Operator's directions: “Outside York Minster near the entrance to the gift shop is the Roman Column. Its easy to find and right in the centre of town, a great place to meet!”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by York Walls Tours

Is this one for you?English-language guides deliver the stories in a conversational, historically grounded way that works for anyone comfortable walking for two hours at a relaxed pace. If you prefer to move slowly, stop often, or explore specific areas in depth, the private format and flexible timing let you shape the experience exactly as you want it.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (16 to 17 years); Child (5 to 15 years); Infant (under 5): free.

How long does the private ghost tour of York actually take?

The tour lasts approximately two hours, though the exact timing is flexible since you set the pace with your guide and choose where to start and finish.

What happens at Treasurer's House on this tour?

Treasurer's House is home to one of the world's most famous ghost stories, and your guide will tell you the verified account of the haunting and the history behind it.

Do I need to book entrance fees to museums ahead of time?

Entrance fees to museums are not included in the tour price. Two small museums located around the walls are available for entry separately if you choose to visit them.

Can the guide pick me up from my hotel?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off on foot is included for city centre hotels in York. You can also choose to meet the guide at another convenient spot in the city.

Will there be other people on the tour with me?

No, this is a private tour. It will be only you and your guide for a fully personalised experience of York's haunted history.