York: Bloody Walking Tour with Mad Alice & Medieval Streets

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/7

Duration1h 30m

GroupUp to 60

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Walk York’s haunted streets with stories of blood, royalty & secrets

You’ll follow Mad Alice through York’s medieval streets, hear gruesome tales beneath Gothic arches and crooked timbered houses, see Clifford’s Tower at dusk, and wander the Shambles where history lingers in every shadow. Expect laughter mixed with chills — and stories you’ll keep thinking about long after you leave.

1h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore York's medieval and Viking history

See York Minster Cathedral
Walk through Snickleways street
Learn about Roman origins
Stroll down The Shambles street
Visit Jorvik Viking Centre
View Clifford's Tower remains

The Experience

“You look like trouble,” Mad Alice grinned at me as I fumbled with my scarf near York Minster. I’d barely joined the group when she launched into a story about a bishop who lost his head (literally) right where we stood. Her voice echoed off the stone, and for a second I swear I felt a chill — maybe it was just the wind, or maybe not. The city felt different at dusk, like it was holding its breath.

We trailed behind Alice down the Shambles — that street is so narrow you could almost touch both sides if you tried (I did, but no luck). She pointed out butcher hooks still hanging above old doorways and told us about Margaret Clitherow hiding priests in her house. There was this odd smell of old wood and something sweet from a nearby bakery. A kid in our group asked if ghosts really walk here; Alice winked and said they do if you listen hard enough. I kept glancing over my shoulder after that.

I didn’t expect to laugh so much on a “bloody” tour, but Alice had this way of making even gruesome stories feel like local gossip. At Clifford’s Tower she described the tragedy there — her voice dropped low and everyone went quiet for a moment. The stones looked almost pink in the evening light. We passed Jorvik Viking Centre too; she joked about Vikings being terrible neighbors (noisy parties apparently). By then my feet hurt but I honestly didn’t want it to end yet.

Afterwards, walking back past the Minster, I kept thinking about all those layers under the city — Romans, Vikings, saints, murderers. It’s strange how much history can fit into one night’s walk. Still gives me goosebumps sometimes.

What’s included

Your evening includes a guided walking tour led by Mad Alice or Lady Peckett through York’s famous sites such as Clifford’s Tower and The Shambles; all routes are stroller- and wheelchair-friendly so everyone can join easily from central meeting points nearby public transport.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by The Bloody Tour of York