E
Fabulous!
Fantastic tour! Madeline was a fantastic guide. Really knowledgeable and easy to talk to. Made the whole afternoon so interesting! Thank you and all the best!
Discover York's Stained Glass
+16 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 1h 40min–2h
- Price from
- $27 / person
- Location
- York, United Kingdom
- Rating
- 4.9 / 5 · 17 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 10
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Shambles & Shards Tours
- Meeting point
- We’ll meet near the John Snow Memorial (the water pump sticking out of the ground) in the park, but if it’s closed due to river flooding, we’ll meet at the front of All Saint’s North Street.
Description
Delve into the rich history of York on the Shambles & Shards walking tour, focusing on the art and significance of stained glass. This expert-led experience takes you inside churches, revealing the intricate stories behind stained glass creation and preservation. Enjoy a relaxed stroll through historic streets, witnessing firsthand the craftsmanship that has endured through centuries. Perfect for history buffs and art enthusiasts alike, this tour offers a unique perspective on York's cultural heritage. - Expert commentary from a professional stained glass conservator - Visit historic sites with entry included where necessary - Small group settings for personalized attention - Accessible to all levels of knowledge with engaging storytelling
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 1:15 PM
- Adult (ages 18–64)
- $27
- Senior (ages 65+)
- $24
- Youth (ages 6–17)
- $20
- Child (ages 2–5)
- $13
- Infant (ages 0–1)
- Free
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
In demand: 34 of the next 34 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 13.
Tour Options
Itinerary
All Saints Church
Exploring the 15th century glass within the church, its conservation history, and the Pricke of Conscience window.
St. Olave's Church
One of the oldest sites in York, we will be stopping here to discuss its history as well as the memorial glass, modern glass, and East Window of dubious creation.
Museum Gardens
Stopping on the way to the next stop at the ruins of St. Mary's Abbey to discuss the church complex in the Medieval period and its overall connection to faith and the parish churches.
St. Helen's Church
We will stop at either St. Helen's Church or St. Martins le Grand (depending on opening times and availability) and discuss post-war reconstruction efforts of glass in the city.
York Minster
A brief stop at the back to discuss EPG (Environmental Protective Glazing) and the constant conservation efforts of York Minster from the East Window.
Holy Trinity Church
A tucked away, yet incredible church, we will discuss the existing medieval glass here and the church's role in the center of York.
Parish of All Saints' Pavement
All Saints Pavement will be visited either in tandem or as a substitute for Holy Trinity Goodramgate due to its partial winter hours.
What's included
Included
Tour and Building Access
Not included
We can and will take a comfort break within the tour to get a drink to walk with or use the bathroom.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
17 reviews
How it compares in York
- Starting price $27 is 11% above the typical $24 for tours of similar length in York
Excurgo comparison of 185 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- There will be uneven, slippery, and uncertain surfaces in some of the churches.
- We will be walking over a mile throughout the tour.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Discover York's Stained Glass take?
Discover York's Stained Glass lasts about 1h 40min–2h. The itinerary has 7 stops.
How much does Discover York's Stained Glass cost?
Prices start at $27 per person for this York experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Discover York's Stained Glass run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 1:15 PM.
How much does Discover York's Stained Glass cost for children?
Children aged 2–5 pay from $13, adults from $27. Infants go free.
Does Discover York's Stained Glass sell out?
It can: 34 of the next 34 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Discover York's Stained Glass for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is We’ll meet near the John Snow Memorial (the water pump sticking out of the ground) in the park, but if it’s closed due to river flooding, we’ll meet at the front of All Saint’s North Street. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Discover York's Stained Glass offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 10 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible
Reviews(17)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
M
We feel the tour has...
We feel the tour has enhanced our appreciation and enjoyment of stained glass as our guide Madeleine was so knowledgeable and delivered information in such an understandable and enjoyable way. It was a wonderful experience.
1 people found this helpful
M
A brilliant tour through the history and conservation of stained glass
A brilliant tour of stained glass with an expert and enthusiast. I learnt such a lot about the buildings that housed the windows, their history and architecture and the patrons and guilds that facilitated the installation of each window. An excellent opportunity to learn what details to look for and to appreciate the changing technologies involved. Not to be missed!
A
Fascinating look at this gorgeous art form
I loved this tour! Madeline is so passionate about stained glass and she does an excellent job of explaining the history and craftsmanship of this gorgeous art, using examples of windows in the churches we visited. While I've always been drawn to the beauty of stained glass, I now have a greater appreciation of it since I've learned about its composition, development and restoration. As a bonus, while walking, Madeline also shared tidbits of information about York. Anyone with an interest in history, churches or stained glass will find this tour more than worthwhile.
S
Inspiring and fun!
An absolutely lovely tour! I love stained glass and enjoy learning about the history and style of different churches around York. Maddie was a wonderful tour guide and engaged with all our questions without making anyone feel silly about not knowing something. I’d highly recommend her tours either as a solo tour or group. I would definitely recommend her tours!
F
I had a wonderful time
Stained glass it's always intrigued and delighted me. Shambles and Shards offered many shards of information to piece together and form a clearer picture of vibrant stained glass. Thank you Madeleine, and good fortune in your new company.
B
Stainglass Tour of York
A fantastic tour, full of knowledge and insight into the processes behind the creation of stainedglass. As well as the narratives that are portrayed within the actual windows. A throughly enjoyable experiance and would highly recommend to anyone.
N
What a marvellous morning.
We were taken to view the windows of some of York’s finest examples of early through to modern stained glass windows. Madeline gave us insights into the history and the meaning, manufacture and conservation of the beautiful works hidden in small churches within easy reach of us all if only we knew where to look. She used her depth of knowledge to share clearly and concisely so much fascinating information that the morning went very quickly.
6
Stained Glass Tour Photography Captures!
I am a local photographer & local lady who decided to join Maddie's wonderful tour and I was not disappointed! I Found It Very Interesting Because I Love Learning About Conservation & Having Studied It Myself It Was Great To Really Learn More About The Stained Glass Side Of It! She was very friendly, knowledgeable, passionate about stained glass conservation & highly trained in her profession! I Would Definitely Recommend Her Walking Tour If Your Visiting York! :)
M
A wonderful tour
A wonderful tour. Madeline is so knowledgeable and great fun. We thoroughly enjoyed it and came away with a great appreciation of stained glass and the York churches.
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from$27
4.9(17) Free cancellation