Private Ghost Tour of York
York, United Kingdom

Private Ghost Tour of York

Outty Ranking 64 4.8 · 85 traveler reviews1.5 hoursFrom $91
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Outty Ranking

64/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.8/5

Based on 85 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Private Ghost Tour of York worth booking?

Private Ghost Tour of York is a 1.5-hour experience in York, United Kingdom, from $91 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 85 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
64 / 100
Rating
4.8/5 (85)
Duration
1.5 hours
From
$91 per person

Explore York after dark on a private ghost tour shaped around you. Choose where and when to meet: we can collect you from your hotel or meet you at another convenient spot in the city. Hear York’s real ghost stories and accounts of strange events, told with warmth, humour and a healthy respect for the facts. Along the way, discover the history behind the places and people involved. There are no actors, jump scares or invented tales—just entertaining storytelling rooted in genuine local history. Because the tour is private, you can explore at your own pace with your guide, without a large group or a rigid schedule, we will prepare a bespoke tour just for you, starting and ending at a time and place to suit you

What you get

    About this experience

    Explore York after dark on a private ghost tour shaped around you. Choose where and when to meet: we can collect you from your hotel or meet you at another convenient spot in the city. Hear York’s real ghost stories and accounts of strange events, told with warmth, humour and a healthy respect for the facts. Along the way, discover the history behind the places and people involved. There are no actors, jump scares or invented tales—just entertaining storytelling rooted in genuine local history. Because the tour is private, you can explore at your own pace with your guide, without a large group or a rigid schedule, we will prepare a bespoke tour just for you, starting and ending at a time and place to suit you

    What's included

    Included

    • Private tour
    • Tour escort/host
    • Hotel pickup and drop-off (by foot, city centre hotels only)

    Not included

    • Entrance fees (2 small museums located around the walls are available for entry separately)
    • Food and drinks

    What you'll see and do

    1. York Minster

      York has a rich and bloodthirsty history stretching back nearly 2000 years, and its little surprise that it is widely regarded as the most haunted city in the world. These personalised tours last approx. 2 hours and provide a totally unique, bespoke and entertaining history of Europe's most haunted city. Each tour is designed just for you, and your guides have over 200 ghost stories to tell so please get in touch with the local provider if you have any special interests or needs. You will be taken on an atmospheric trip round our ancient city and shown the fascinating hidden areas most tourists miss. Refreshments can also be arranged along the way with some excellent coffee shops, pubs and restaurants to check out (own expense), and in addition will also tour other parts of the city too (the Castle, York Minster, Shambles and more) should you require. As your local tour guides are passionate about the city, they can also handle any restaurant bookings or just general advice about other things to do in York during your stay. As these are bespoke tours, please contact the local provider as soon as you can in advance so your booking can be guaranteed and the guides have enough time to prepare the tour for your adequately. The flavour of our tours is to tell the stories, but in a verified historic context. Please note your guides are not 'actors' and don't use props or get dressed up in Victorian outfits. What they will do is tell you the truth of the ghost story in that area, as well as backing it up with the history of the area and possible reasons for why that area is haunted. Please note that on this tour it will be only yourselves and your tour guide, for a truly personalised experience of the city.

      Pass by without stopping

    2. Treasurer's House

      Hear the tale of the most famous ghost story in the world!

      Pass by without stopping

    3. York City Walls

      A world heritage site - the only place on Earth to see Roman, viking & medieval defences all in one place - we bring it back to life including 3D reconstructions!

      15 minutes here

    4. Shambles

      The most famous medieval street in the world, but it has a very dark history!

      Pass by without stopping

    5. King's Manor

      Now part of the University, this was once the house of the Abbot of St Marys

      15 minutes here

    6. Jorvik Viking Centre

      Site of the only viking houses to be found anywhere in the world! Please note entrance price is not included as part of the tour

      Pass by without stopping

    7. York Castle Museum

      A huge motte and bailey castle that once controlled Northern England - we bring it back to life including 3D reconstructions!

      Pass by without stopping

    8. Clifford's Tower

      A huge motte and bailey castle that once controlled Northern England - we bring it back to life including 3D reconstructions!

      Pass by without stopping

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    York

    Outside York Minster near the entrance to the gift shop is the Roman Column. Its easy to find and right in the centre of town, a great place to meet!

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is available for selected locations.

    Ends at

    We can end wherever is suitable for you, let us know when you book or on the night!

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 30 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    York Walls Tours

    Know before you go

    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • Please inform the local provider of the preferred pick up point at the time of booking.
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult
    • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

    Photos

    Private Ghost Tour of York, photo 2Private Ghost Tour of York, photo 3

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 85 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    9 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    2 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Small groups

    2 mentions

    The group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.

    Traveler reviews

    85 verified traveler reviews for Private Ghost Tour of York. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    77
    4 star
    6
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    2
    Sort
    Tricia_L · July 2026

    History, Ghosts, and Great Storytelling

    Our private ghost tour of York was one of the highlights of our trip. Our guide, John, was engaging, knowledgeable, and tailored the experience to our interests, bringing York's fascinating 2,000-year history to life through captivating stories of mystery, murder, and legend. Walking through atmospheric locations like The Shambles and around York Minster made the experience even more memorable. The tour struck the perfect balance between history, storytelling, and just the right amount of spooky fun. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a unique and entertaining way to explore York.

    via Viator

    Michelle_A · June 2026

    John showed us around...

    John showed us around some places of interest and told us some stories about York. This is a private tour with just the two of us which allows him access to areas larger groups are unable to venture. Overall tour was ok and without theatrics. A little pricey for what I expected and would have been happy to share this as a small group of 4 or 6 people.

    via Viator

    Gail_K · August 2025

    John was an amazing...

    John was an amazing storyteller. He blended the wonderful and dark history of York with interesting modern anecdotes. Highly recommend the tour and asking for John.

    Response from the operator: thank you guys it was absolutely amazing to meet you!

    via Viator

    JP070766 · July 2025

    Worth a walk

    A great experience but the flats and houses inside the walk just don't seem quite right. Good photo opportunity on the walls.

    via Tripadvisor

    Kyle_B · January 2025

    No Gimmicks

    John was exceptionally knowledgeable about the history of York. He was friendly and upbeat with a plethora of fun stories rich with historical facts. This wasn’t a gimmicky ghost tour, but rather an opportunity for highly engaging and entertaining York history.

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    1.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $91 to $127
    Hotel pickup
    Available for selected locations
    Booked in 30 days
    30
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by York Walls Tours, who run 6 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 57.8.

    See everything York Walls Tours runs

    Why this scores 64

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)85
    Review evidence (18% weight)56
    Booking momentum (14% weight)50
    Value for money (12% weight)1
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)53
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Private Ghost Tour of York: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for York.

    How much does Private Ghost Tour of York cost?

    +

    Prices start at $91 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in York usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Private Ghost Tour of York take?

    +

    Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in York is not rushed.

    Is Private Ghost Tour of York worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 85 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in York, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Private Ghost Tour of York?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Private Ghost Tour of York suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Private Ghost Tour of York?

    +

    Around 30 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in York can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in York and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Private Ghost Tour of York start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central York within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in York?

    +

    On Outty we rank every York experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Mad Alice’s The Bloody Tour of York -Best Tour Award Europe, The Deathly Dark Tour of York, Shadows of York: Ghost Walk and Horrible History.. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit York?

    +

    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in York?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Private Ghost Tour of York?

    +

    Included: Private tour; Tour escort/host; and Hotel pickup and drop-off (by foot, city centre hotels only). Not included: Entrance fees (2 small museums located around the walls are available for entry separately; and Food and drinks. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Private Ghost Tour of York include hotel pickup?

    +

    Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 18 listed pickup locations in and around York. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is Private Ghost Tour of York offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Private Ghost Tour of York?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Private Ghost Tour of York wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Private Ghost Tour of York if the weather is bad?

    +

    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in York. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about Private Ghost Tour of York?

    +

    Across 85 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, small groups. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

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