Mad Alice's Bloody Tour of York: Medieval ghosts and murders

Medieval York's darkest stories, told by someone who knows them

Mad Alice's Bloody Tour is a 90-minute guided walking tour through York's medieval streets, led by Mad Alice or Lady Peckett, uncovering the city's violent history across Clifford's Tower, York Minster, The Shambles and the Jorvik Viking Centre. The tour covers Roman origins through Viking arrivals and the tragedies that shaped the city, suitable for all ages from five upward.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore York's medieval and historic sites

• 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 meet your guide at the start and walk the medieval streets of York for 90 minutes, moving between four main stops: York Minster (one of Britain's largest Gothic cathedrals), The Shambles (the narrow, winding street where butchers once worked and where Saint Margaret Clitherow lived), Clifford's Tower (the motte and bailey castle built by William the Conqueror, site of a terrible tragedy), and the Jorvik Viking Centre (where the Vikings who arrived in AD 866 left their mark on the city). The route also takes in the Snickleways: the vibrant smaller streets that branch off through the old city.

Mad Alice or Lady Peckett narrates the gruesome side of York as you walk: the ghosts, witches, murderers, kings and queens whose violent stories are woven into the streets themselves. The commentary is entertaining and educational, moving from Roman settlement through the Viking invasions to the medieval period when the city's bloodiest chapters unfolded. The tour won the Arival Best Sightseeing Tour in Europe Award in 2024.

The walking pace suits all fitness levels, and the route is wheelchair accessible throughout. Children from age five can join. Younger children can ride in a pram or stroller if needed. Service animals are welcome, and public transport stops are nearby if you need to reach the starting point.

What’s included

• Guided walking tour led by Mad Alice or Lady Peckett in English.
• access to all four main stops (York Minster, The Shambles, Clifford's Tower, Jorvik Viking Centre) and the Snickleways.
• 90 minutes of commentary covering Roman, Viking and medieval history.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday, Thursday and SaturdayDepartures at 18:00 and 20:00Last departure this season: 29 Dec

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (5 to 14 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 60

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by The Bloody Tour of York

Is this one for you?The tour is in English and delivered as live commentary from your guide, so it works for anyone comfortable following a walking pace and listening to spoken history: children from five upward are welcome, and the route is fully wheelchair accessible if you need it.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 14 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the actual history behind Clifford's Tower that the tour covers?

Clifford's Tower was built by William the Conqueror as a grand castle, but little remains today except the motte and bailey structure. The tour focuses on a terrible tragedy that occurred there, which is part of York's darker medieval past.

How long is the walking tour and what's the pace like?

The tour runs for 90 minutes and suits all physical fitness levels, so the pace is manageable for most people. You'll cover the main medieval sites on foot without rushing.

Can I bring my five-year-old, and will the gruesome stories be too much?

Children from age five are welcome on the tour. While the stories are about York's violent history, the guide presents them as educational and entertaining rather than graphic or frightening, making it suitable for families.

What are the Snickleways and will we walk through them?

The Snickleways are the smaller, vibrant streets that branch through York's old city. Yes, the tour includes them as part of the walking route through the medieval streets.

Is the tour accessible if I use a wheelchair?

Yes, all areas and surfaces on the walking route are wheelchair accessible, and the tour is designed to suit all mobility levels. Public transport options are also available nearby if you need them to reach the starting point.

Which guide will lead the tour, and does it matter?

Your guide will be either Mad Alice or Lady Peckett: both lead the same tour with the same content and award-winning commentary. The guide assigned depends on availability at the time of your booking.