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J & M York City Walking Tours A tour 6000 years in the making!
4.7
371 Ratings
York
Embark on a captivating walking tour of York City and uncover its medieval roots, architectural marvels, and intriguing legends. Explore hidden gems and iconic landmarks while immersing yourself in the city’s rich history. Join us and create your own unforgettable story!
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- York - Our guide will show you what makes York so unique, the Medieval walls and Gateways, the Minster, the ancient Shambles, Lantern towers, rivers and castle. See the grave of Dick Turpin and walk through 2000 years of the cities heritage follow in the footsteps of ancient tribes, Romans, Kings and Queens and some of histories most notorious. Our guides can also take you around the museums of your choice for an additional fee.
- York Minster - The largest Gothic Cathedral in Northern Europe, York Minster took 252 years too build. There are Minster guides inside, tours last an hour.
- Clifford’s Tower - Walking around the Motte of the castle built in 1069, your guide will bring alive its bloody and dark secrets, walk in the grounds of what would have been on elf the finest castles in England.
- Merchant Adventurers’ Hall - Walk down into the Medieval levels of the City and let our guide tell you about the richest Guild in York and the part the traders played in Yorks prosperity. Find out how important women were in this guild.
- Shambles - The street of the Butchers, our guide will take to the shrine of St Margaret Clitheroe, and exploring with to uncover the secrets of one of Yorks oldest streets.
- St Cuthbert’s Church - We take a look at this medieval church with its rich history, built partially from Roman brick work it also features Saxon and Norman architecture. Its most unique feature is its ‘Devils door’ we will unravel the truth behind the myth.
- York City Walls - We take in a section of the medieval walls where you’ll see the cities Roman defences, danish earthwork and discover its medieval past, sieges, and Victorian alterations. We will also pass by the old Jewish quarter of the city.
- Statue of Constantine the Great - Learn about the origins of York, its visiting emperors and delve into the story of Constantine the Great, his effect on Christianity and York.
- The Black Swan - As we enter the old Hungate Parish, you’ll discover the Black Swan, its famous residents and links to the battle of Quebec. Near by is a building whose architecture reflects the Irish heritage of the area as well as having a chance to spot one of Yorks famous Black Cats.
- Merchant Taylors’ Hall - On the city walls you’ll see the Merchant Taylors, discover how guilds became the economic centre of Cities like York, the Taylors significance to the city and its role today.
- Shambles Market - Visit the market and discover their significance in Yorks economic growth.
- Monk Bar - One of 6 gates in York you’ll discover its role in the city defences, the legend of the Wild men of York as well as our Bars more gruesome uses.
- Ogleforth - As we walk along this Saxon street you’ll discover the Dutch House, it’s significance to architectural changes after the Great fire of London and the emergence of Insurance policies.
- Kings Square - In this ancient square you’ll discover the meaning behind our street names and thinner Viking heritage and learn about the very centre of the city of Jorvic
- York Castle Museum - From out side we’ll look at the old building s of the museum looking at prison reform, the building usage in the past and delve into the myth and stories behind the real Dick Turpin.
What's Included
-
- No free inclusions
What's Not Included
- Museum and attraction Entry fees. Price range £6 - £17
Additional Information
A tour 6000 years in the making!
Discover York on this highly rated history tour as we head off the tourist beat to discover the real history of York. From the cities origins, we look at the defences, and architecture, Robert the Bruce, Oliver Cromwell, Constantine the Great, kings and queens and many others who would shape the cities rich past.
Along the way you’ll see the flora and Fauna, city walls, and snickleways as we debunk the cities myths and walk in the footsteps of Romans to tourist!
No stone is left unturned on this exciting story of York.
Location
Constantine the Great
Minster Yard
Starts at the Statue of Constantine, (PLEASE ignore the sat nav address For Cars only you need to walk and head to the statue)South entrance of York Minster. The booked time is departure time. Arrive 10 minutes early. Guides don't answer phones once tours begun. Late comer not refunded.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(371 Ratings)
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499blaines
Aug 4, 2024
Thorough and interesting overview of deep history - Nick provided a great overview of York’s deep history! The tour was done at a nice pace which allowed time to consume all the information being provided.
Would definitely recommend if in York for the weekend and keen to learn of the city’s historic past we were also lucky in that we got a great sunny day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lynn_o
Jul 24, 2024
Expect less always get more - Walking tour on Sunday 21st July excellent guide nick ? Very informative and saw sites that we’d walked passed (and wasn’t aware we had) really recommended
Review provided by Viator
Nathan_s
Jul 15, 2024
A perfect way to start your stay - Our guide was decidedly friendly, extremely knowledgeable, and politely punctual. The tour made our time in York rewarding and grounded. You must do the tour, preferably your first day in town.
Review provided by Viator
Paul_k
Jul 14, 2024
Super history lesson - Very educational and extremely well presented. Awesome guide. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
Review provided by Viator
Martinakeir
Jul 13, 2024
Highly recommended - Great walking tour. Excellent guide and really informative. Found places we probably wouldn’t have located ourselves and made us do further exploring when finished
Highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
John_m
Jul 12, 2024
The city walls of time - City wall experience and views, also knowledge gained, me and my daughter thought maybe could of been a little more longer, especially round the area of the york art gallery, ..? Albeit very interesting
Review provided by Viator
Scott_s
Jul 8, 2024
Historic Tour in York one for the Ages. - Tour guide was a history major and was very knowledgeable and gave excellent presentation. Made history come alive.
Review provided by Viator
Robert_c
Jul 8, 2024
Great introduction to the... - Great introduction to the history of the city that pointed out places worth visiting after. A fairly relaxed walk.
Review provided by Viator
Jane_m
Jul 4, 2024
Historical encyclopedia of knowledge - Would highly recommend. Nick was incredibly knowledgeable and engaging. His historical knowledge was immence. We all llearnt so much abut York. Set us up nicely to then enjoy York Minster. Thank you.
Review provided by Viator
Anibal_v
Aug 8, 2024
Our tour guide showed... - Our tour guide showed professionalism and experience, loading the tour with a combination of interesting historical facts and a peppering of dead-pan humour - which was great!
Review provided by Viator
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