Forget about crowds, schedules or lines! With this self-guided experience, your smartphone is your new private guide.
Discover history hiding in plain sight in the beautiful city of York! This is an entertaining and informative experience for everyone to enjoy - whether you’re a local or a newcomer to the city.
Here you will learn about religion, roman conquerors, revolutions, the true history of Vikings, Saints, infamous Massacres, Harry Potter and much more. You will also get an overview of the characters who played an important role, such as Roman Emperors from thousands of years ago, King Charles I, Guy Fawkes, the most terrifying Viking Kings ever documented like Ragnar Lothbrock or Harald Hadrada (who happen to have lived here in Jorvik) and much more. Plus, you'll get insider recommendations so you get the most out of your visit.
PS: You will get an email with a code when booking (this code is different from your booking reference number!) and step-by-step instructions.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ You will get an email with instructions to activate your tour (booking reference isn't the code!)
✔ Jenny will guide you through an audio guide (no computer-generated voice!)
✔ Audio guide, pictures, videos, recommendations and all the info you need
✔ 3 weeks unlimited access to this Self-Guided Tour on the app
✔ Map, directions, GPS route and stops of each tour
✖ In-person Guide
✖ Any entrance fee for the attractions mentioned during the tour
Departure & Return
Departure:
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All our tours are self-guided. You will be led by the GPS in the app. Remember to check the "Before You Go" Section of your ticket and give Pandemic Tours App access to your location!
Itinerary
1
York Minster
Our tour starts at The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York, commonly known as York Minster. This cathedral is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe and the minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the third-highest office of the Church of England. Here you will learn the story of this beautiful building, its surroundings and more.
Duration: 10 minutes
2
The Roman Column
Did you know that York was once a Roman Fort?
Founded in 71 AD, by Roman General Quintus Petillius Cerialis of the Ninth Legion, Eboracum was a fort built on flat ground above the River Ouse near its junction with the River Foss.
In this tour, we will tell you everything you need to know about the Roman Heritage of the city and the remains you can still find today.
Duration: 10 minutes
3
Dean's Park
This stop is all about the medieval past of the city, specifically, you will learn about the "boundaries" of St Peter's Church and its inhabitants. This city within a city didn't come within the Mayor’s authority thus the area inside was known as the 'Liberty of St Peter'.
Come with us to learn what happened inside and what were the social repercussions of St Peter's monks all over the city.
4
St. Michael le Belfrey Church
The church of St Michael le Belfrey is the only remaining sixteenth-century church in York and is the largest pre-Reformation parish church in the city. The church is famous for being the place where Guy Fawkes was baptised on 16 April 1570. Here you will learn everything about the guy who made the 5th of November so remarkable all over the world.
Duration: 10 minutes
5
High Petergate
Petergate Street, now part of the Minster Quarter, stands on the site of the Roman Via Principalis, the first-century main east-west route through the Roman fortress. The street is named due to its proximity to York Minster, which is dedicated to St Peter. High Petergate was the medieval route into York from the North, it runs from Bootham Bar to Stonegate. Some of the medieval buildings still stand here, forming an eclectic mix with those dating from the Georgian era other period styles of architecture. We will stroll with you through this street and tell you all about it.
Duration: 15 minutes
6
Petergate House
Strolling through High Peter street towards the north entrance you will find Petergate House, a Grade II listed building that was once the home of Sir Thomas Herbert, a historian and groom of the bedchamber to Charles I. You will learn all about these characters and their story. We will also tell you a story about a haunted house in this area.
7
Bootham Bar
At the end of Petergate street, you will see the Bootham Bar, which once was one of the four main entrances to the Roman fortress some 2000 years ago. You will dive into its history and understand why it still preserved.
8
York City Walls
Since Roman times, York has been defended by walls of one form or another. York has more miles of intact wall than any other city in England. They are known variously as York City Walls, the Bar Walls and the Roman walls. In this stop, we will tell you everything about the walls, recommendations on where to hop on, and give you the liberty to walk through it as long as you like.
Duration: 15 minutes
9
Multangular Tower
The Multangular Tower is located in the western corner tower of the Roman fortress, standing 9 metres high, it contains stonework from both the Roman and medieval periods.
Duration: 5 minutes
10
Museum Gardens
The beautiful ten-acre botanical Museum Gardens, which surround the Yorkshire Museum, cover the grounds of the former medieval St Mary's Abbey. Established in the early nineteenth century by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society, and designed by landscape architect Sir John Murray Naysmith, the gardens are famous for their stunning collections of trees, shrubs, perennial plants and bulbs.
Several noteworthy historic buildings stand within the gardens, these include the remains of the west corner of the Roman fort of Eboracum and St. Mary’s Abby.
Duration: 20 minutes
11
St. Mary's Abbey
St Mary’s Abbey occupied an extensive precinct site immediately outside the city walls, which is now the Museum Gardens. It was a Benedictine foundation with origins dating back to 1086 when magnate Alan Rufus, a distant cousin of William The Conqueror and Count of Brittany, granted it to the monk Stephen of Whitby. At this stop, you will also learn about the remains of the Roman Anglian Tower.
Duration: 15 minutes
12
Shambles
The Shambles is an old street in York, with overhanging timber-framed buildings, some dating back as far as the fourteenth century. It was once known as The Great Flesh Shambles used to display meat shelves from butcheries. We will walk you through this Harry-Potterish street while we discuss its past, what's a myth and what's real about both the novel and real-life events.
Duration: 15 minutes
13
Shrine of Saint Margaret Clitherow
Among the structures of the Shambles is a shrine to Saint Margaret Clitherow, who is an English saint and martyr of the Roman Catholic Church. She was married to a butcher who owned and lived in a shop in this street, her home is thought to have been No. 10 Shambles.
Here, we will let you discover her former house, and tell you all about her past and why she became a Saint.
Duration: 10 minutes
14
Jorvik Viking Centre
Jórvík or Danish York is a term used by historians for the south of Northumbria (modern-day Yorkshire) during the period of the late 9th century and first half of the 10th century when the city was dominated by Vikings. At this stop, you will learn the rich history of the Vikings, who happened to establish themselves here more than a thousand years ago. You will also get a bonus of the stories of the most famous Vikings who visited the city (three in total, and yes, Ragnar is among them).
15
Clifford's Tower
Clifford’s Tower is one of the best-loved landmarks in York. It is the largest remaining part of York Castle, once the centre of government for the north of England. At this stop, you will get all about York Castle history and its relation with the people of York. We will also give you a list of recommendations of places to go, where to eat and what to do on your visit to this beautiful city.
Duration: 15 minutes
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Additional info
• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Please check "Before You Go" Section of your ticket!
