Shadows of York Ghost Walk
BEST FOR
Ages 8+
ENTRY
from £8
WHERE
York
What it’s like
A 90 minute guided walk through York's darker history, told with proper storytelling and best kept for kids who can handle a scare.
This is a walking tour, not a jump-scare experience with actors leaping out at you. A guide leads the group round York for about 90 minutes, telling stories of the city's past, plague, executions and all the grim bits history usually skips over for younger audiences. It runs most evenings at 6:30pm, with extra slots added through late October and three separate times on Halloween itself.
The PG rating is there for a reason. The site is upfront that under 8s aren't really recommended, both for the length of the walk on small legs and because some of the stories are genuinely dark, gory even. If you've got a ten or twelve-year-old who likes a proper scare rather than a soft one, this lands well. If you're bringing a nervous seven-year-old, this probably isn't the one.
Booking has to happen in advance and spaces each night are limited, so it isn't a turn-up-and-join sort of evening. Adults are £13, under 16s £8, which is reasonable for an hour and a half of guided storytelling. Refunds are available up to 24 hours before your tour, which takes the sting out of the "must book ahead" rule, but a missed tour or last minute cancellation outside that window gets nothing back.
The route is wheelchair friendly, which is worth knowing given cobbled old cities aren't always kind to wheels. There's parking nearby too, several car parks within reach if you're driving in for the evening rather than staying local.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 8 and up; younger kids may find the length and stories too much
- Booking
- Online booking via Ticket Tailor
- Parking
- Several nearby car parks: Castle Car Park, Bootham Row Car Park, Peel Street Car Park, Marygate Car Park
- How long to allow
- Approximately 90 minutes
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair friendly route
- Dogs
- Not stated whether dogs are allowed
- Parties
- Private tours available. Ideal for school groups, corporate events, social gatherings, hen parties
- Extra tour times run from 23-30 October, and three slots are added on Halloween night itself
- There's no refund once you're within 24 hours of your tour date
- Several car parks sit nearby including Castle, Bootham Row, Peel Street and Marygate
- The stories cover executions, plague and other grim history, so it leans genuinely dark rather than family-friendly spooky
Plan your visit
How long does the tour last?
About 90 minutes. Start times vary through the year, and private bookings can run between 6:30pm and 8:30pm depending on availability.
Is it suitable for young children?
It's rated PG and the stories can be dark and gory, so under 8s aren't recommended. It's also a long walk for little legs.
How much does it cost?
£13 for adults, £8 for under 16s.
Do we need to book ahead?
Yes, spaces are limited each night so you'll need to book in advance rather than turning up.
Can we get a refund if we can't make it?
Refunds are available up to 24 hours before your tour date for public walks. Private bookings have a non-refundable deposit.
Is the route wheelchair accessible?
The tour follows a wheelchair friendly route.
Can you book a private tour?
Private tours are available for school groups, corporate events, hen parties and other social gatherings, with pricing on request.
Featured in 2 Huddlepin lists
See all Immersive & Touring Exhibitions in York · Things to do in York
MAKE A DAY OF IT
