York Witches and History Walking Tour: Explore the Dark Mysteries of Witchcraft in Medieval York

436 Ratings

York

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Discover the dark mysteries of witchcraft in medieval York on this unique and captivating walking tour. Explore the spooky streets and hear tales of the witches of Yorkshire. Dress for the weather and prepare for an enlightening and uplifting experience.

Duration: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Cancellation: 24 hours

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Highlights

Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate - Admire York’s shortest street, which boasts (possibly) the longest name.
St. Crux Parish Hall - Transport yourself to a bygone era and listen to the story of our tour’s first witch!
Shambles - Travel back in time to uncover the grim origins of this now charming street.
Kings Square - Discover the area and…

What's Included

Entertaining Character Guide
Guided Walking Tour

Additional Information

Embark on a Journey into York’s Shadows…
Get ready for a walking tour like no other! Experience an immersive and educational adventure through history. Embrace the unusual as you wander through York’s dimly lit streets and mysterious snickelways, where the whispers of the past still resonate…
Guided by a charismatic witch, this distinctive and…

Location

Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma Gate

Meet at the street sign for Whip-Ma-Whap-Ma Gate. Arrive 5-10 minutes early to check in for your tour. We are unable to provide refunds for no-shows. The start of the tour cannot be delayed due to operational reasons. If you anticipate running late, please contact us as soon as possible.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.8

(436 Ratings)

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Nikki_t

Mar 16, 2026

Cornelius was amazing!!... - Cornelius was amazing!! Very knowledgeable and entertaining. We had a great time, and he was a wonderful guide.

Review provided by Viator

Gcat88

Mar 14, 2026

History, Humour, and Hocus Pocus - A great experience, Nix was very entertaining and knowledgeable. She worked hard to Engage with everyone throughout the tour and sprinkled humour and history into every stop.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

William_s

Mar 14, 2026

Our tour guide Nyx, was... - Our tour guide Nyx, was knowledgeable about the history of York and how it pertained to witches. There was a nice mix of humor and information. The walking pace was good, with rest stops to take in the scenery and important landmarks. I'd definitely recommend this tour for anyone that wants a nice tour of York, Shambles, Guy Fawkes' birthplace, and views of York Minster, with a witchy take.

Review provided by Viator

Evan_p

Mar 12, 2026

A witchy good time - The magnificent Merlo was entertaining. He had a lot of fun facts about witches and York history. It was nice to get to know the city a little better.

Review provided by Viator

Aslanriley2

Mar 11, 2026

Superb evening, Merlot was really knowledgeable and we learnt so much. Even better than we had thought it would be! - We were lucky enough to get Merlot as our guide and he was absolutely outstanding. Charismatic, funny, knowledgeable and entertaining. The history of witches in York (and those accused of witchcraft in less enlightened times) is poignant, interesting, affecting and mesmerising, so we learnt so much about so many during the tour. The history of the city was interspersed and there was plenty of time for questions, detailed answers as we traversed the city and went down snickelways and passageways that we would not have found on our own. So much history everywhere and all excellent imparted by Merlot (I did share with him my top podcast tip too R4 Witch) Can honestly say, we have done a few city. ghost, history tours in various cities and this was by far the best - thanks Merlot!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Caz

Mar 7, 2026

Nutmeg's training... - It's a lot of fun and you find out interesting facts relating to York's history, how and why women were accused of being witches and even where the pointy hats stem from. It makes you look at things in the streets you would have otherwise missed... Such as Guy Fawkes birthplace!

Review provided by Viator

Z2314fykatiet

Mar 3, 2026

Interesting and fun!! - Thank you to Nutmeg for the fantastic tour! It was full of interesting information and was also very entertaining! Would definitely recommend!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Heatcheck201

Feb 27, 2026

York Witches & History Walking Tour - If you’re looking for a tour that trades jump-scares for genuine storytelling and a touch of theatrical magic, the York Witches & History Walking Tour is a standout choice. Unlike the city’s many ghost walks, this experience focuses on the poignant and often grisly true stories of those accused of witchcraft across Yorkshire. 🧙 Why It’s a "Must-Do" • Theatrical Storytelling: The tour is led by charismatic, costumed guides (look out for names like Willow, Cornelius, or Nutmeg) who stay fully in character. They blend historical facts with a dry wit that keeps both kids and adults hooked. • A "Real" History Lesson: It moves beyond urban legends to explore the lives of real people like Mad Alice, Mary Bateman, and the martyr Margaret Clitheroe. You’ll leave with a much deeper understanding of the social and legal injustices of the era. • Iconic Atmosphere: The route takes you through York’s most atmospheric spots—the Shambles, York Minster, and the legendary Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate—while also ducking into hidden "snickelways" you’d likely miss on your own. Thank you Nixie our Witch all nighter🧙🏻‍♀️

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Lulunathan

Feb 27, 2026

10/10 must see! - 10/10 amazing experience. Lots of historical information, but very entertaining! Great tour of Yorks old city for someone who's never been to York. Our witch, marvellous merlot was absolutely brilliant!!! So funny and engaging!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Larrym1278