Association of Voluntary Guides to the City of York
ENTRY
Free
WHERE
York
What it’s like
A free two-hour walk round historic York, led by a volunteer who actually knows the place.
Two guides in blue and yellow badges take you round the highlights of York on foot: the Multangular Tower, Museum Gardens, St Mary's Abbey, the Kings Manor, Bootham Bar, a stretch of the Bar Walls, Monk Bar, Treasurer's House and York Minster itself. It starts at York City Art Gallery in Exhibition Square and runs at an easy pace for between two and two and a half hours, so this isn't one for a toddler mid-nap or a five-year-old who's already done the museum that morning.
It costs nothing, which for a tour this thorough is genuinely the surprise of the thing. There's no booking link, you just turn up for the 10:30am or 1:15pm start, though pre-booking is recommended if you want to be sure of a place. Children are welcome on these regular tours, though if you're organising a school or youth group of under-16s, they don't offer the pre-arranged group option, so it's a straightforward family walk-up rather than a class trip.
The City Walls section involves steps, and the guides will point you to an alternative route if that's a problem, but it's worth knowing before you set off with a pram, since prams are actively discouraged on the walls. Wheelchair users are welcome and the guides will talk you through what's manageable on the day. Dogs have to sit this one out on the walls themselves, though there's a partial alternative route for them too.
If you've got children who can manage a couple of hours of walking and listening, this is a proper way to see York without paying for anything, and the guides are volunteers doing it because they like showing the city off, which tends to come through in how the tours are run.
Facilities
Need to know
- Booking
- Pre-booking recommended. Walk-ups accommodated subject to availability
- How long to allow
- Between two and two and a half hours
- Pushchairs
- Prams discouraged. Alternative route available
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair users welcome. Check with guide on day as some City Walls areas difficult or impossible
- Dogs
- Not allowed on City Walls
- Parties
- Pre-booked group tours for 10+ visitors
- Tours run daily except Christmas Day, at 10:30am and 1:15pm.
- The walk includes steps on the City Walls; ask the guide about the step-free alternative on the day.
- Delivered in English only.
- Group tours of 10+ need pre-booking and a suggested £2 donation each.
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Nothing, the tours are free. If you book a private group tour of 10 or more, a donation of £2 a head is suggested.
Do we need to book?
Booking's recommended but walk-ups are taken if there's space. Turn up at Exhibition Square for the 10:30am or 1:15pm start.
How long does it take?
Between two and two and a half hours, walked at an easy pace with no rushing.
Is it OK to bring a pushchair?
Prams are discouraged because of the City Walls section, though there's an alternative route that avoids the steps.
Can we bring the dog?
Dogs aren't allowed on the City Walls, but there's a partial alternative route if you want to keep them with you.
Can I book a tour for a school group?
Pre-arranged group tours are available for 10 or more visitors, but not for groups of under-16s.
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