
The Silly History Walk of York: A Self Guided Audio Tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is The Silly History Walk of York: A Self Guided Audio Tour worth booking?
The Silly History Walk of York: A Self Guided Audio Tour is a 1.3-hour experience in York, United Kingdom, from $12 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 4 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 64 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (4)
- Duration
- 1.3 hours
- From
- $12 per person
York’s streets have been witness to countless stories. On this lighthearted walking tour, you’ll discover York’s fascinating past through humorous storytelling, historical anecdotes, and playful character encounters. From Roman legionaries to medieval monks and Victorian innovators, the city’s 2,000 years of history will vividly come to life. The tour starts at Clifford’s Tower, a historic Norman fortification with a turbulent past. You’ll weave through York’s atmospheric streets and ginnels, encountering historical figures like William the Conqueror, Constantine the Great, and Guy Fawkes along the way. The Silly History Boys narrate stories of Viking invasions, Roman settlements, religious persecution, and medieval commerce through comedic sketches and entertaining dialogue.
What you get
About this experience
York’s streets have been witness to countless stories. On this lighthearted walking tour, you’ll discover York’s fascinating past through humorous storytelling, historical anecdotes, and playful character encounters. From Roman legionaries to medieval monks and Victorian innovators, the city’s 2,000 years of history will vividly come to life. The tour starts at Clifford’s Tower, a historic Norman fortification with a turbulent past. You’ll weave through York’s atmospheric streets and ginnels, encountering historical figures like William the Conqueror, Constantine the Great, and Guy Fawkes along the way. The Silly History Boys narrate stories of Viking invasions, Roman settlements, religious persecution, and medieval commerce through comedic sketches and entertaining dialogue.
What's included
Included
- Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- App for Android and iOS
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
Not included
- Smartphone and headphones
- Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
- Food and drink
- Transportation
What you'll see and do
Clifford's Tower
The tour begins in front of Clifford's Tower. Entry is not included.
Pass by without stopping
The tour takes you along the famous Shambles.
Pass by without stopping
York Minster
You'll walk around the iconic York Minster. Entry is not included.
Pass by without stopping
Museum Gardens
We'll walk through the beautiful Museum Gardens.
Pass by without stopping
York Art Gallery
You'll pass by the iconic York Art Gallery. Entry is not included.
Pass by without stopping
We'll pass by the memorial to the legendary John Snow.
Pass by without stopping
Merchant Adventurers' Hall
We'll pass by the fascinating Merchant Adventurers' Hall. Entry is not included.
Pass by without stopping
St. Mary's Abbey
We'll glimpse the famous St Mary's Abbey. Entry is not included.
Pass by without stopping
York City Walls
We'll walk by the city's famous walls.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
York
This tour starts at Clifford's Tower. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
This tour starts at Clifford's Tower. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- VoiceMap Audio Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The total tour time includes walking the route and passing by the attractions
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
1 mentionTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Good for families
1 mentionReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
4 verified traveler reviews for The Silly History Walk of York: A Self Guided Audio Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Brilliant family tour
Excellent family friendly tour. We did the tour with our three children 6, 9 & 11. We all loved it! It brought the history of York to life with much hilarity. Would highly recommend!!
via Tripadvisor
You will be tittering along and attracting glances, but thats all part of the fun!
A big fan of their Podcast so this was a treat! I knew quite a lot of the history covered but it the comedy that makes it. You will be tittering along and attracting glances, but thats all part of the fun!
via Tripadvisor
The perfect ‘welcome to york experience’
I’ve only recently moved to York so booked the Silly History Tour as a way to get my bearings and learn a bit about the city - and it turned out to be an absolutely brilliant decision. Instead of feeling like a traditional history lecture, the whole thing felt relaxed, funny and really approachable. Starting at Clifford’s Tower and wandering through the centre meant I covered loads of key spots in just over an hour, which was ideal for newcomers like me. By the end, I’d got a much clearer sense of how the city fits together as well as its long (and sometimes very strange) past. The guides were hilarious but also clearly knew their stuff. The way they talked about Romans, Vikings, religious upheaval, highwaymen and Victorian scandals made it all incredibly memorable. I’ve already caught myself retelling bits to friends who are coming to visit - especially the stories around The Shambles and the Multangular Tower. What I really appreciated was how inclusive and friendly it felt. I never felt lost or talked down to, and the humour made it easy to relax and enjoy myself even though I was still finding my feet in a new city. If you’ve just moved to York or are thinking of doing visiting, this is a fantastic way to get to know the place properly - with laughs included.
via Tripadvisor
Fun and informative audio tour!
What a laugh we had on this audio walking tour. Such good fun whilst learning about the history of York. We thoroughly enjoyed this walk of York and would recommend it to anyone who has a sense of humour and is wanting to know more about what went on in this wonderful city.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by VoiceMap Audio Tours, who run 703 experiences we rank across 222 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 54.8.
See everything VoiceMap Audio Tours runsWhy this scores 64
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Silly History Walk of York: A Self Guided Audio Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for York.
How much does The Silly History Walk of York: A Self Guided Audio Tour cost?
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Prices start at $12 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 The Silly History Walk of York: A Self Guided Audio Tour take?
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Plan for about 1.3 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 The Silly History Walk of York: A Self Guided Audio Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 4 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 The Silly History Walk of York: A Self Guided Audio Tour?
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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 The Silly History Walk of York: A Self Guided Audio Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book The Silly History Walk of York: A Self Guided Audio Tour?
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Around 1 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?
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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 1.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does The Silly History Walk of York: A Self Guided Audio Tour start and how do I get there?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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 The Silly History Walk of York: A Self Guided Audio Tour?
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Included: Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it; Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata; App for Android and iOS; Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour; and Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will sta. Not included: Smartphone and headphones; Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour; Food and drink; and Transportation. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for The Silly History Walk of York: A Self Guided Audio Tour?
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This tour starts at Clifford's Tower. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is The Silly History Walk of York: A Self Guided Audio Tour offered in?
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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 The Silly History Walk of York: A Self Guided Audio Tour?
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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 The Silly History Walk of York: A Self Guided Audio Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to The Silly History Walk of York: A Self Guided Audio Tour if the weather is bad?
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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 The Silly History Walk of York: A Self Guided Audio Tour?
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Across 4 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, good for families. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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