What season do your tours run?

Our tours run every day of the year, come rain or shine. We realise that many of our visitors like to come off-season, and we want to make sure they enjoy the city as much as any other visitor.

Every day?

Tours do not run on December 25th and 26th or January 1st, as the Museum Gardens are closed to the public on those dates. Very occasionally we may have to cancel if special circumstances make the streets impassable or dangerous. This has only happened once in ten years (the Tour de France start.)

Are there age limits on the tour?

No, we welcome people of all ages. However, keep in mind that some very young children may find the tour a little taxing.

Is the tour suitable for the disabled?

Some of the terrain in York is along cobbled streets, so this may cause difficulty for people with mobility issues. However, the tour moves at a leisurely pace and most of the stops are relatively close together.

What languages do you offer the tours in?

We currently offer the tours only in English. We have guides who can provide a tour in other languages if booked privately. If you would like to book a private tour in an alternative language, please ask us, we may be able to accommodate you.

How long is the tour?

Generally speaking, the tour lasts around two hours. We believe that such is the entertainment value of the tour that those hours will fly by. We can’t guarantee exactly how long it will take as that tends to depend on the speed and make-up of the group on the day. Of course as it is a free tour you are free to leave at any time. However, we do ask that you inform your guide if you intend to leave the tour, so that he or she will not be waiting for you at the next stop and holding up the rest of the group.

What will the tour size be?

We endeavor to keep the tour size down to 30 people or fewer. However, on some days we may have more guests than we anticipated, and we try not to disappoint anyone. We will keep tour sizes to a reasonable number wherever possible. The average tour size is around 15-20 people.

Do I need to reserve in advance?

In general, no, we do not require reservation in advance. However, the tour is designed for individual travellers, couples and small groups. Therefore we do require that groups larger than eight persons book in advance, otherwise we cannot guarantee that they will be allowed on the tour. This is to ensure that we can provide the best possible tour for everyone.

We are a large school group/organisation? Can we still go on the tour?

For very large groups we ask that you book a private tour. Please see the Private Tours page of this website. The advantage of the private tour is that you will have your own guide, and the tour can start at any time you want. We can even collect you from your hotel or from one of the coach parks and start the tour there. Also, we use experienced self-employed guides who can tailor the tour to your own specific needs or interests.