Walking tours

Free Walking Tours
Explore York and enjoy its rich and distinctive history at any time of the year on a free guided walking tour of the city.
The volunteer team of local experts from the Association of Voluntary Guides to the City of York (AVG) is on hand to showcase our beautiful city every day except Christmas Day. Find out more about the two-hour tours and pre-book your ticket at avgyork.co.uk.
Step into 2,000 years of history…

York World Heritage Bid: From the riverfront


Marygate Landing Tower, York

Enjoy a walking tour around the riverfront of the Ouse as we showcase York’s highlights and illustrate the role of the river in York’s World Heritage bid.

Discovering York's Historic Churches


Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate

Join experienced guide Rob Andrews for a walking tour of two of York’s most historic churches – Holy Trinity, Goodramgate and All Saints North Street.

When Smartphones and Nature Meet


Hull Road Park, Melrosegate entrance

Bring along your smartphone for an interactive nature tour as your guides demonstrate how to get involved in citizen science.

An Archaeological Ramble


De Grey House, St Leonard's Place

Learn more about our city’s fascinating heritage on a guided walk with Neil Redfern, Executive Director of the Council for British Archaeology.

An Archaeological Ramble


De Grey House, St Leonard's Place

Learn more about our city’s fascinating heritage on a guided walk with Neil Redfern, Executive Director of the Council for British Archaeology.

Sociologically Imagining York: Podcasted-walk


City Screen Picturehouse, Coney Street

Prepare to see our city with fresh eyes as Kath Bassett and Mary Laing of the University of York invite you to look at your surroundings through a sociological lens on a guided tour.

A Queer Walk of York


City Screen Picturehouse, Coney Street

Join us for StreetLife's 'Queer Walk of York', an LGBTQI+ heritage trail of sites of significance to the city's queer communities.

Green Corridors for Tansy Beetle Conservation


Landing Lane, Fulford

Enjoy a gentle walk and find out about work along the River Ouse Corridor to preserve the endangered Tansy beetle and other local wildlife.

Corals in the Cobbles


The Mosaic Map, Museum Gardens

Ammonites in the pebbles, corals in the cobbles and oysters in the high street. Find fossils on the historic streets of York with palaeontologist Fossiliam (aka Liam Herringshaw).

Green Corridors for Tansy Beetle Conservation


Landing Lane, Fulford

Enjoy a gentle walk and find out about work along the River Ouse Corridor to preserve the endangered Tansy beetle and other local wildlife.

Corals in the Cobbles


The Mosaic Map, Museum Gardens

Ammonites in the pebbles, corals in the cobbles and oysters in the high street. Find fossils on the historic streets of York with palaeontologist Fossiliam (aka Liam Herringshaw).

Sociologically Imagining York: Podcasted-walk


City Screen Picturehouse, Coney Street

Prepare to see our city with fresh eyes as Kath Bassett and Mary Laing of the University of York invite you to look at your surroundings through a sociological lens on a guided tour.

York and the Medieval Jewish Community


York Explore Library, Library Square, Museum Street

Discover the pivotal role of the Jewish community in York’s history with our walking tour and talk led by Louise Hampson of the University of York.

Ballads and Cries of York: Guided walk


Meet outside City Screen, Coney Street

Discover the dramatic power of the 18th and 19th-century ballad on a walking tour of York city centre with Vivien Ellis and Rachel Cowgill of the University of York.

Green Corridors for Water Vole Conservation


Footbridge on Huntington Road

Join the St Nicks team for a guided walk and learn about our furry friends, water voles. Find out about their ecology, habitat and identification as you walk along the River Foss.

Henry on Tour: The progresses of Henry VIII


King's Manor, Exhibition Square

Learn about the events of 1541 when Henry visited York with Catherine Howard on his northern journey or ‘progress’. Join us for talks and tours.

York’s Hidden History


Bar Lane, Micklegate

Uncover the ancient, natural and scientific secrets of the city as expert guides bring little-known stories and forgotten characters to life on a York’s Hidden History tour.

York’s Hidden History


Yorkshire Museum, Museum Gardens

Uncover the ancient, natural and scientific secrets of the city as expert guides bring little-known stories and forgotten characters to life on a York’s Hidden History tour.

York’s Hidden History


Bar Lane, Micklegate

Uncover the ancient, natural and scientific secrets of the city as expert guides bring little-known stories and forgotten characters to life on a York’s Hidden History tour.

York’s Hidden History


Yorkshire Museum, Museum Gardens

Uncover the ancient, natural and scientific secrets of the city as expert guides bring little-known stories and forgotten characters to life on a York’s Hidden History tour.