York's Medieval City Walls Private Tour

Explore York with an award-winning, qualified historian guide! We'll travel through 2,000 years of history as we walk along Roman roads, medieval walls and royal thoroughfares. This tour incorporates every inch of the most complete set of historical city walls anywhere in the UK. Find out why and how these fortifications were built - and hear the stories of those who dared to try to breach them..!

1. 1

   York City Walls

   1 hour

   We will walk the most complete set of Medieval city walls in the UK.

2. 2

   St. Leonards Hospital

   5 min

   Stand in the ruins of a once great building and learn about the man who once controlled it.

3. 3

   Museum Gardens

   5 min

   Stroll through the beautiful and tranquil York Museum Gardens, surrounding by reminders of long-gone eras.

4. 4

   Bootham Bar

   5 min

   We will stand inside one of York's great city gates and find out which surprising confection got its' start right here.

5. 5

   Stop 5

   5 min

   View York's loveliest beer garden at the back of a charming historic pub.

6. 6

   York Minster

   5 min

   Enjoy sweeping views of the largest gothic cathedral in Northern Europe.

7. 7

   Robin Hood Tower

   5 min

   A tower named after Robin Hood? Find out why and also hear about the lengths Yorks residents went through to protect their city through the centuries.

8. 8

   De Grey Rooms

   5 min

   Find out how the Mayor of London who once lived here left his mark on the city.

9. 9

   Monk Bar

   5 min

   The tallest of York's defences and once used as a prison and site of public announcements in the Medieval era. Find out who was kept here and why the portcullis got stuck.

10. 10

    Stop 10

    5 min

    Stand on the site of a Jewish settlement that was lost to time, then unexpectedly uncovered nearly 700 years later.

11. 11

    Foss Islands Chimney

    5 min

    See how York's residence disposed of rubbish over the centuries, and why you might want to be careful where you step!

12. 12

    The Red Tower

    5 min

    Unlike any other gatehouse in the city, the Red Tower was also the site of a gruesome murder. Find out why the perpetrators were never punished.

13. 13

    Walmgate Bar

    10 min

    Stand in the only original medieval barbican in the country and learn about the English Civil War that almost brought it down.

14. 14

    Fishergate Bar

    5 min

    See the scars left behind from the residents of York who rose up in rebellion against a usurper king.

15. 15

    Fishergate Postern Tower

    5 min

    We will tread through what was once the King's Fishpool and hear the stories of those who tried to breach it.

16. 16

    Stop 16

    5 min

    Looking over the grounds of what was once mighty York Prison, you'll hear the story of the UK's most notorious criminal and the unlikely way he was caught here.

17. 17

    Clifford's Tower

    5 min

    Walk through all the remains of the ice nightly York Castle and hear the tales of heartbreak and bloodshed that took place here.

18. 18

    River Ouse

    5 min

    Walk across the beautiful River Ouse and hear how the water that flowed here changed the shape of the city.

19. 19

    Baile Hill

    5 min

    Stand on the site of a former training ground and learn how York functioned at times of war - from 1066 to World War II.

20. 20

    Bitchdaughter Tower

    5 min

    Stan atop a medieval prison and find out why this was reserved for the worst of the worst. We'll also overlook the former site of the city's public executions.

21. 21

    Victoria Bar Gateway

    5 min

    The last of the city gateways to be opened - find out why Queen Victoria refused to come see it!

22. 22

    Micklegate Bar

    10 min

    We will walk through the official entrance to York, in the footsteps of Kings and Queens from centuries past. Hear the stories about who once used the gate...and whose heads were once posted on top!

23. 23

    York Railway Station

    5 min

    Get sweeping views of what was once the largest railway station in the world.

• Service animals allowed
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.