Outside York Minster near the entrance to the gift shop is the Roman Column. Its easy to find and right in the centre of town, a great place to meet!
Description
Explore York after dark on a private ghost tour shaped around you. Choose where and when to meet: we can collect you from your hotel or meet you at another convenient spot in the city.
Hear York’s real ghost stories and accounts of strange events, told with warmth, humour and a healthy respect for the facts. Along the way, discover the history behind the places and people involved. There are no actors, jump scares or invented tales—just entertaining storytelling rooted in genuine local history.
Because the tour is private, you can explore at your own pace with your guide, without a large group or a rigid schedule, we will prepare a bespoke tour just for you, starting and ending at a time and place to suit you
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Next available
Fri, Oct 9
Adult (ages 18–64)
$90
Child (ages 5–15)
$13
Infant (ages 0–4)
Free
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $171.
Larger groups pay less per person.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 8.
Tour Options
Private Ghost Tour of York
Pickup included
Itinerary
York Minster
Pass by
York has a rich and bloodthirsty history stretching back nearly 2000 years, and its little surprise that it is widely regarded as the most haunted city in the world. These personalised tours last approx. 2 hours and provide a totally unique, bespoke and entertaining history of Europe's most haunted city. Each tour is designed just for you, and your guides have over 200 ghost stories to tell so please get in touch with the local provider if you have any special interests or needs. You will be taken on an atmospheric trip round our ancient city and shown the fascinating hidden areas most tourists miss.
Refreshments can also be arranged along the way with some excellent coffee shops, pubs and restaurants to check out (own expense), and in addition will also tour other parts of the city too (the Castle, York Minster, Shambles and more) should you require. As your local tour guides are passionate about the city, they can also handle any restaurant bookings or just general advice about other things to do in York during your stay.
As these are bespoke tours, please contact the local provider as soon as you can in advance so your booking can be guaranteed and the guides have enough time to prepare the tour for your adequately.
The flavour of our tours is to tell the stories, but in a verified historic context. Please note your guides are not 'actors' and don't use props or get dressed up in Victorian outfits. What they will do is tell you the truth of the ghost story in that area, as well as backing it up with the history of the area and possible reasons for why that area is haunted.
Please note that on this tour it will be only yourselves and your tour guide, for a truly personalised experience of the city.
Treasurer's House
Pass by
Hear the tale of the most famous ghost story in the world!
York City Walls
15 min
A world heritage site - the only place on Earth to see Roman, viking & medieval defences all in one place - we bring it back to life including 3D reconstructions!
Shambles
Pass by
The most famous medieval street in the world, but it has a very dark history!
King's Manor
15 min
Now part of the University, this was once the house of the Abbot of St Marys
Jorvik Viking Centre
Pass by
Site of the only viking houses to be found anywhere in the world! Please note entrance price is not included as part of the tour
York Castle Museum
Pass by
A huge motte and bailey castle that once controlled Northern England - we bring it back to life including 3D reconstructions!
Clifford's Tower
Pass by
What's included
Included
Private tour
Tour escort/host
Hotel pickup and drop-off (by foot, city centre hotels only)
Not included
Entrance fees (2 small museums located around the walls are available for entry separately)
Food and drinks
Pickup Locations & Times
We will meet you at the reception of your hotel, or alternatively anywhere of your choosing (for example we can meet you after lunch at your restaurant, or alternatively finish the tour somewhere where you can get something to eat / drink)
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.8
85 reviews
5
77
4
6
3
0
2
0
1
2
How it compares in York
No. 42 by number of reviews among 186 tours in York
Excurgo comparison of 186 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Please inform the local provider of the preferred pick up point at the time of booking.
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
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 Private Ghost Tour of York take?
Private Ghost Tour of York lasts about 1h 30min–2h. The itinerary has 8 stops.
How much does Private Ghost Tour of York cost?
Prices start at $90 per person for this York experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $171. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Private Ghost Tour of York run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day.
How much does Private Ghost Tour of York cost for children?
Children aged 5–15 pay from $13, adults from $90. Infants go free.
Can I cancel Private Ghost Tour of York for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. We will meet you at the reception of your hotel, or alternatively anywhere of your choosing (for example we can meet you after lunch at your restaurant, or alternatively finish the tour somewhere where you can get something to eat / drink) Pickup points include The Milner York.
What languages is Private Ghost Tour of York offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 30 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Private Ghost Tour of York worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 85 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by York Walls Tours.
Reviews(85)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
T
Tricia_L
July 6, 2026 · via Viator
History, Ghosts, and Great Storytelling
Our private ghost tour of York was one of the highlights of our trip. Our guide, John, was engaging, knowledgeable, and tailored the experience to our interests, bringing York's fascinating 2,000-year history to life through captivating stories of mystery, murder, and legend. Walking through atmospheric locations like The Shambles and around York Minster made the experience even more memorable. The tour struck the perfect balance between history, storytelling, and just the right amount of spooky fun. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a unique and entertaining way to explore York.
M
Michelle_A
June 19, 2026 · via Viator
John showed us around...
John showed us around some places of interest and told us some stories about York. This is a private tour with just the two of us which allows him access to areas larger groups are unable to venture. Overall tour was ok and without theatrics. A little pricey for what I expected and would have been happy to share this as a small group of 4 or 6 people.
G
Gail_K
August 24, 2025 · via Viator
John was an amazing...
John was an amazing storyteller. He blended the wonderful and dark history of York with interesting modern anecdotes. Highly recommend the tour and asking for John.
Operator response
thank you guys it was absolutely amazing to meet you!
J
JP070766
July 13, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Worth a walk
A great experience but the flats and houses inside the walk just don't seem quite right. Good photo opportunity on the walls.
K
Kyle_B
January 3, 2025 · via Viator
No Gimmicks
John was exceptionally knowledgeable about the history of York. He was friendly and upbeat with a plethora of fun stories rich with historical facts. This wasn’t a gimmicky ghost tour, but rather an opportunity for highly engaging and entertaining York history.
N
Nannette_G
October 15, 2024 · via Viator
Spine-Tingling and Historic!
We were so fortunate to be able to get this tour during the day. My daughter and I were stopping in York on the way to Edinburgh. John agreed to take us on this tour during the day. Even then, we could get a feel of what one might experience at night. John knows his history of York very well! This little cobble-stoned town has a history that goes back over two thousand years! It’s no wonder that the spirits tend to haunt these places! One can see the pride that John had when he talks of this little town of York! Take this tour for the tales but mostly for the history. (He throws in a few Game of Thrones trivia, as well!)
Operator response
hello, thank you so much for the lovely review, and I hope the daytime didn't ruin the spookyness of the tour, hope to see you again!
S
Safari16761515630
October 6, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
Entertaining and informative.
The ghost walk was very interesting with lots of local facts, plus a bit of added fiction for effect, but overall it was entertaining and well worth it.
D
Donna_O
September 14, 2024 · via Viator
Historical and fun!
John was amazing full of historical knowledge and super fun stories..you wont be disappointed on this tour❤️
K
Kevin_S
June 15, 2024 · via Viator
Authentic, entertaining, and spooky
This was an incredible tour with real history. John was a wonderful guide, he brought the spooky history to life and had a great sense of humor. He is not an actor, he really knows his history and has pride in his city. If you want a real ghost tour than this is the one for you.
M
Melanie_L
August 20, 2023 · via Viator
Highlight of our trip to York
We did tons of stuff in York, all the classics. But we agreed that this was the highlight of our entire trip. John was entertaining, knowledgeable, funny, engaging and pitched the tour perfectly for a mum with two teenage daughters. Highly recommend and do this instead of one of the tours with actors.
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