Meet your guide outside Bennett's Cafe and Bistro, in front of York Minster. Your guide will be carrying a purple tote bag with our 'Uncomfortable York' logo.
Description
Join us on an insightful walking tour of York, highlighting untold histories and diverse stories.
On the Uncomfortable York™ tour, you will go beyond the conventional stories of the city, hearing about the impact of women, people of colour, and LGBTQIA+ individuals from York's past.
This tour invites attendees to see beyond the stonework and uncover the lesser known narratives of York, while learning about the long and rich history of the medieval city. Walking through the beautiful city centre, you will discuss its early settlement, medieval expansion and vibrant industrial heritage.
This tour was written and researched by academic historians from the University of Oxford and is delivered by trained guides from York.
PLEASE NOTE: We cannot always accommodate last-minute bookings for private or group tours. Please contact us directly if you want to book a tour within the next 24 hours.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 2:30 PM
Next available
Sun, Oct 4
Adult (ages 18–64)
$24
Senior (ages 65+)
$19
Youth (ages 10–17)
$22
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $175.
Larger groups pay less per person.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 3.
Tour Options
Private Tour
Private Tour: Book a private tour for your group.
Public Tour
Itinerary
York Minster
Admission not included15 min
Tour begins outside the dazzling York Minster Cathedral, where we introduce the tour and discuss the staging of heritage sapces.
Barley Hall
Admission not included15 min
Learn about Medieval York and the holes in our modern understandings of it.
Kings Square
15 min
At our second stop in the historic city centre we introduce the chocolate history of the city and commercialisation.
Pavement
15 min
Walking down the historic street, tellingly named 'pavement' you will learn about the Rowntree Grocer's and the beginnings of international trade networks in the city.
Friargate Quaker Meeting House
15 min
Immerse yourself in the medieval Friargate area and learn about the first female confectionaries in the city.
Tower Gardens
15 min
Finish the tour with an overview of Jewish history in the city, from the early medieval to the modern.
What's included
Included
Uncomfortable York Guide
Not included
Tour does not go into any buildings or attractions.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
20 reviews
5
20
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0
How it compares in York
Rated higher than 81% of 79 reviewed tours in York
Starting price $24 is close to the typical $23 for tours of similar length in York
Excurgo comparison of 186 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
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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 The Original Uncomfortable York™ Tour take?
The Original Uncomfortable York™ Tour lasts about 1h 30min. The itinerary has 6 stops.
How much does The Original Uncomfortable York™ Tour cost?
Prices start at $24 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 $175. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does The Original Uncomfortable York™ Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 2:30 PM.
Can I cancel The Original Uncomfortable York™ Tour 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 Meet your guide outside Bennett's Cafe and Bistro, in front of York Minster. Your guide will be carrying a purple tote bag with our 'Uncomfortable York' logo. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is The Original Uncomfortable York™ Tour 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 20 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 Transportation options are wheelchair accessible All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is The Original Uncomfortable York™ Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 20 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Uncomfortable York Tours.
Reviews(20)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
M
Mfw65
September 22, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Interesting and Enaging Tour, Unique
We didn't know what to expect from this tour, but we HIGHLY recommend it. Our tour guide, Amber, was excellent and very knowledgeable (studying for her master's degree in public history). The tour is designed to tell the truth about historical events and people, not just a recitation of facts. It looks at both the positive and negative aspects of historical events.
It is also interactive. Participants can share their opinions and points of view. We had some engaging and interesting conversations. It was by far one of the most interesting tours we have ever experienced. Very different.
Operator response
Thank you so much for this kind review! We're so glad you enjoyed the tour - the discussions had by all participants are what make each tour unique, so thank you for contributing. We have passed along your words to Amber & we hope you join us again in York or in our sister cities Oxford & Cambridge very soon!
5
595anuragy
August 29, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Great tour of York's uncomfortable history!
It was really good to experience the untold history and stories of York which sometimes are knowingly and unknowingly ignored.
Operator response
Thank you so much - please join us again soon!
S
sambS9571YR
August 23, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Great for those seeking something more than typical history!
Really intresting tour, speaks about the things you wouldn't necessarily hear in a typical history visit. Definitely recommend if you like a debate style chat; very thought provoking in the best way. Our tour guide Sahara (apologies if spelt incorrect) was extremely friendly and very welcoming.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your kind review - and we're so glad you enjoyed the interactive part of it! Insights from our attendees are what make each tour unique and special.
Please join us again soon!
M
miabH4125GC
August 18, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Fantastic tour for visitors and locals!
Incredible tour! Really interesting and thought provoking content, delivered in a very considered way. The whole tour was very well researched and we learnt lots about the history of York, despite living in the area a long time.
Our guide Amy was engaging and enthusiastic, as well as encouraging discussion. She was very patient and we didn't feel rushed, despite having a lot of questions!
Would recommend this tour to visitors and locals alike.
Operator response
Thank you so much for this kind review. We love to hear when locals join us & learn something new, and I'm sure you had so much to contribute as well! Please join us again very soon!
P
Passport41533686067
July 4, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Refreshing and Engaging
A very refreshing change from the walking tours we have done in other cities giving . Rob gave us a very holistic and realistic picture of York’s history with focus on the communities which are underrepresented in historical tours and discussions.
Operator response
Thank you so much! We're so delighted you found it a refreshing change - that's our goal! We hope you join us on another tour soon!
J
jameskR8785ZJ
July 2, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Everyone should take this tour!
My partner and I took this tour and we absolutely loved it. We both work in history fields in the United States and this tour was absolutely refreshing with all the lesser known stories of York! We also really appreciated that the tour opened up a dialogue between the guide and tour participants, pushing us all to engage with the stories we were hearing about and to question our assumptions.
Operator response
Thank you so much for this kind review! We're thrilled you enjoyed the tour & I'm sure with your background you were able to contribute wonderful insights! Please do join us on another tour again soon & I hope your stay in York was very pleasant!
O
oc_anel113
June 27, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
An amazing and interesting tour
An amazing tour to discover the untold part of York and get to discuss and reflect as a group on why certain parts of history are not discussed!
Operator response
Thank you so much for your review - we're so thrilled you joined us. We hope you come on another tour very soon!
1
166shubhamj
June 21, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Perfect introduction to York and it's history
Wonderful tour! One of the best ever city tours me and my partner have ever attended. It was great value for money and perfectly designed. Captured the essence of the city and its history. Rob was really amazing! One of the best guides really! He is a performer, absolute pleasure to go on the tour with him.
Operator response
Thank you so much for this kind review & we're so glad you enjoyed the tour! We will be thrilled especially to pass on your feedback to Rob. Please join us on another tour again soon!
E
emiliesZ1390QW
June 20, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Highly recommended tour of York’s hidden history
Highly recommend this tour on the hidden histories of York. We learnt so much from our guide Rob, a nuanced journey through some of York’s past, highlighting the personal stories of some overlooked figures. Perfect for both locals and tourists!
Operator response
Thank you so much for this kind review! The contributions of our attendees are what make these tours so enriching for all of, guides included. We will be sure to pass along your feedback to Rob & please join us again soon!
R
RandiScandi
June 15, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Enganging and thought-provoking experience.
We had a really good experience as a family of 4 (parents and 2 teenagers) on the Uncomfortable Tour York. a very engaging guide who taylored to the younger participants too. It was a very comfortable tour in terms of pace and distance but with a lot of uncomfortable truths about York, which really should be part of the history told on any tour.
Operator response
Thank you so much for this review! We're so glad all ages enjoyed the tour - we love to hear as many different perspectives on the subject matter as possible. We hope you join us on another tour again soon!
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