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Private York Self-Guided Tour

4.2 (21)
York, GB
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Private York Self-Guided Tour

4.2 (21)
York, GB
Share
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Experience the captivating city of York like never before with the Private York Self-Guided Tour. Leave behind the crowds and schedules as you embark on an entertaining and informative journey through history. With your smartphone as your personal guide, discover the hidden stories of religion, Roman conquerors, revolutions, Vikings, saints, infamous massacres, and even Harry Potter. Dive into the lives of important historical figures such as Roman Emperors, King Charles I, Guy Fawkes, and the most terrifying Viking Kings. Explore iconic landmarks like York Minster, the medieval Dean's Park, St Mary's Abbey, and the eerie Shambles. Immerse yourself in the rich history of the city and unlock its secrets at your own pace. Plus, receive insider recommendations to make the most out of your visit. Book now and let your adventure begin!

About this experience

  • Non Refundable There is no return, refund or cancellation possible with this product
  • Admission Not Included
  • 2 hours - 3 hours
  • Suitable for 1-15 Participants
  • Private Tour
  • & Audio GuidedSelf Guided Experience
  • Private self-guided tour with your smartphone
  • Discover the history of York Minster
  • Learn about the Roman heritage of York
  • Explore the medieval past at Dean's Park
  • Uncover the secrets of the Shambles street
  • You will get an email with instructions to activate your tour (booking reference isn't the code!)
  • Jenny will guide you through an audio guide (no computer-generated voice!)
  • Audio guide, pictures, videos, recommendations and all the info you need
  • 3 weeks unlimited access to this Self-Guided Tour on the app
  • Map, directions, GPS route and stops of each tour
  • In-person Guide
  • Any entrance fee for the attractions mentioned during the tour

Popular Hotels Closeby

More about this experience

Introduction

Embark on a captivating and immersive journey through the historic city of York with the Private York Self-Guided Tour. This unique experience allows you to explore at your own pace, with your smartphone as your personal guide. Leave behind crowded tour groups and rigid schedules and dive into history hiding in plain sight.

What to expect?

During this 2 to 3-hour tour, you can anticipate a deep dive into the fascinating history and culture of York. Your smartphone will lead the way, providing step-by-step instructions and interesting facts as you immerse yourself in the city's past. From the grandeur of York Minster, one of Northern Europe's largest cathedrals, to the remnants of the Roman fortress, Eboracum, this self-guided adventure will uncover the secrets and stories of York's rich heritage.

Who is this for?

The Private York Self-Guided Tour is designed for curious souls of all ages. Whether you're a local looking to discover hidden gems or a newcomer eager to explore York's history, this experience is perfect for you. History enthusiasts will revel in the tales of Roman conquerors, Viking kings, and notorious events like the Gunpowder Plot. Culture seekers will be enchanted by the medieval and Georgian architecture that adorns the city streets. This tour welcomes anyone with a thirst for knowledge and a love for exploration.

Why book this?

What sets the Private York Self-Guided Tour apart is the freedom it offers. No longer bound by strict itineraries, you have the flexibility to spend as much time as you desire at each stop. With insider recommendations and local insights, you'll discover hidden gems and experience the city like never before. This tour allows you to immerse yourself in the rich history and captivating stories of York at your own pace, ensuring a truly personal and memorable adventure.

Good to know

Before embarking on your self-guided tour, you will receive an email with a code and step-by-step instructions. Remember to give the app permission to access your location for seamless navigation. Along the way, you'll explore iconic landmarks such as York Minster, Dean's Park, and Clifford's Tower. Discover the medieval wonders of the Shambles, stroll along the York City Walls, and delve into the Viking history at Jorvik Viking Centre. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Museum Gardens and learn about the fascinating remnants of St. Mary's Abbey. Expect a captivating journey through time, uncovering the captivating stories and secrets of York's past.

Reviews

Customers who have experienced the Private York Self-Guided Tour rave about the freedom and flexibility it offers. They appreciate the thorough and engaging commentary provided by the app, which brings the city's history to life. Travelers find the information and recommendations invaluable, allowing them to make the most of their visit to York. Many praise the seamless navigation and user-friendly interface of the app, making it a stress-free and enjoyable experience. Overall, guests express their satisfaction and delight in exploring the rich history and hidden treasures of York through this captivating self-guided tour.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Your Itinerary

York Minster

Our tour starts at The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York, commonly known as York Minster. This cathedral is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe and the minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the third-highest office of the Church of England. Here you will learn the story of this beautiful building, its surroundings and more.

Admission Not Included

The Roman Column

Did you know that York was once a Roman Fort? Founded in 71 AD, by Roman General Quintus Petillius Cerialis of the Ninth Legion, Eboracum was a fort built on flat ground above the River Ouse near its junction with the River Foss. In this tour, we will tell you everything you need to know about the Roman Heritage of the city and the remains you can still find today.

Dean's Park

(Pass by)

This stop is all about the medieval past of the city, specifically, you will learn about the "boundaries" of St Peter's Church and its inhabitants. This city within a city didn't come within the Mayor’s authority thus the area inside was known as the 'Liberty of St Peter'. Come with us to learn what happened inside and what were the social repercussions of St Peter's monks all over the city.

St. Michael le Belfrey Church

The church of St Michael le Belfrey is the only remaining sixteenth-century church in York and is the largest pre-Reformation parish church in the city. The church is famous for being the place where Guy Fawkes was baptised on 16 April 1570. Here you will learn everything about the guy who made the 5th of November so remarkable all over the world.

High Petergate

Petergate Street, now part of the Minster Quarter, stands on the site of the Roman Via Principalis, the first-century main east-west route through the Roman fortress. The street is named due to its proximity to York Minster, which is dedicated to St Peter. High Petergate was the medieval route into York from the North, it runs from Bootham Bar to Stonegate. Some of the medieval buildings still stand here, forming an eclectic mix with those dating from the Georgian era other period styles of architecture. We will stroll with you through this street and tell you all about it.

Petergate House

(Pass by)

Strolling through High Peter street towards the north entrance you will find Petergate House, a Grade II listed building that was once the home of Sir Thomas Herbert, a historian and groom of the bedchamber to Charles I. You will learn all about these characters and their story. We will also tell you a story about a haunted house in this area.

Bootham Bar

(Pass by)

At the end of Petergate street, you will see the Bootham Bar, which once was one of the four main entrances to the Roman fortress some 2000 years ago. You will dive into its history and understand why it still preserved.

York City Walls

Since Roman times, York has been defended by walls of one form or another. York has more miles of intact wall than any other city in England. They are known variously as York City Walls, the Bar Walls and the Roman walls. In this stop, we will tell you everything about the walls, recommendations on where to hop on, and give you the liberty to walk through it as long as you like.

Multangular Tower

The Multangular Tower is located in the western corner tower of the Roman fortress, standing 9 metres high, it contains stonework from both the Roman and medieval periods.

Museum Gardens

The beautiful ten-acre botanical Museum Gardens, which surround the Yorkshire Museum, cover the grounds of the former medieval St Mary's Abbey. Established in the early nineteenth century by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society, and designed by landscape architect Sir John Murray Naysmith, the gardens are famous for their stunning collections of trees, shrubs, perennial plants and bulbs. Several noteworthy historic buildings stand within the gardens, these include the remains of the west corner of the Roman fort of Eboracum and St. Mary’s Abby.

St. Mary's Abbey

St Mary’s Abbey occupied an extensive precinct site immediately outside the city walls, which is now the Museum Gardens. It was a Benedictine foundation with origins dating back to 1086 when magnate Alan Rufus, a distant cousin of William The Conqueror and Count of Brittany, granted it to the monk Stephen of Whitby. At this stop, you will also learn about the remains of the Roman Anglian Tower.

Shambles

The Shambles is an old street in York, with overhanging timber-framed buildings, some dating back as far as the fourteenth century. It was once known as The Great Flesh Shambles used to display meat shelves from butcheries. We will walk you through this Harry-Potterish street while we discuss its past, what's a myth and what's real about both the novel and real-life events.

Shrine of Saint Margaret Clitherow

Among the structures of the Shambles is a shrine to Saint Margaret Clitherow, who is an English saint and martyr of the Roman Catholic Church. She was married to a butcher who owned and lived in a shop in this street, her home is thought to have been No. 10 Shambles. Here, we will let you discover her former house, and tell you all about her past and why she became a Saint.

Admission Not Included

Jorvik Viking Centre

(Pass by)

Jórvík or Danish York is a term used by historians for the south of Northumbria (modern-day Yorkshire) during the period of the late 9th century and first half of the 10th century when the city was dominated by Vikings. At this stop, you will learn the rich history of the Vikings, who happened to establish themselves here more than a thousand years ago. You will also get a bonus of the stories of the most famous Vikings who visited the city (three in total, and yes, Ragnar is among them).

Clifford's Tower

Clifford’s Tower is one of the best-loved landmarks in York. It is the largest remaining part of York Castle, once the centre of government for the north of England. At this stop, you will get all about York Castle history and its relation with the people of York. We will also give you a list of recommendations of places to go, where to eat and what to do on your visit to this beautiful city.

Reviews

(21)

4.2 (21)

817gulnura

App worked fine but information was limited that i excepted. links to youtube videos were a little unhelpful. i paid for two people but could have done with one because the information on each stop is about 3-4 mins max. recording is very dry - sounds like someone reading a history book

Vishnu_M

The freedom of walking around a new town without time constraints was a blessing indeed. The route map in the app made sure of the fact that I didnot miss out on any local attractions.

Mdelapazc

I embarked on this self-guided walking tour of York thinking it would be a brief 2-hour excursion, but boy, was I in for a delightful surprise! The depth of details, captivating stories, and intriguing histories had me so engrossed that I found myself exploring for the entire day. I was especially taken by the tales of Vikings, which added an extra layer of allure to the city's rich past. This tour isn't just a walk; it's a journey through time, and I couldn't recommend it enough for anyone looking to truly immerse themselves in the essence of York. A must-do experience!

lauriedR9365YF

Probably my technical ineptitude but voice content kept cutting out after 10 seconds and starting all over again. Guidance and directions poor. Gave up after 30 mins

lucasdQ733XU

This tour of York is an absolute gem! In just a few hours, I discovered the city's magic through captivating storytelling and well-crafted routes. The audio narration brought history to life, making each step a thrilling adventure. Navigating with the user-friendly app was a breeze, and offline access ensured I didn't miss a detail. From iconic landmarks like York Minster to hidden gems and cozy cafes, the tour revealed the essence of York. Jenny's passion for creating remarkable experiences shines through. Don't miss this enchanting journey!

yaseminy845

Application was hard to use. It was bad user experience. Navigate audio and the map was really hard (you need to convert to google maps etc) so I do not recommend this app to anyone.

Atravellerintime2019

Was ok but some segments of audio tour commentary didn’t fully load so just stopped half way through. Also route between point was not sequenced to walk logically around the city so bit of backtracking occurs. However tour does take you away from shops and crowds to see things you wouldn’t normally find.

Elle_E

Really good tour, had an issue with the email of the tour being sent over at first. But received brilliant customer service and resolved the issue

Natasha_C

Great tour to do at your own pace when suits, can be broken down into smaller installments. Covers key areas but with option to dive deeper in areas of interest

Richard_K

I'm giving this tour 5 stars even though a technical issue prevented me from using the app. Shortly before I planned on activating the app I received a message from Pandemic informing me that they were experiencing technical issues and to let them know if I encountered problems using it. I activated the app and while it worked initially, it ceased to function. I emailed their tech support and they responded immediately and refunded my money. So what could have been a 1 star rating is a 5 star because they proactively identified the problem, were responsive, and then refunded my money. I would try using their app again without hesitation.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-04-26 03:39