The Silly History Walk of York (Audio Tour)

Join The Silly History Boys for this entertaining journey through York’s past, where historical fact meets comedic fiction for an unforgettable tour 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.

You’ll marvel at the majesty of York Minster, discover the grim tale of Margaret Clitherow on The Shambles, and explore the Roman origins of the Multangular Tower in Museum Gardens. The tour ends at the elegant Fairfax House on Castlegate, once home to diarist Anne Lister, whose life inspired the TV show Gentleman Jack.

On this 60-minute tour, you’ll have a chance to:

Discover how Constantine the Great was proclaimed Roman Emperor in York, forever changing the course of Western civilisation
Explore the ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey, dissolved by Henry VIII during his break with the Catholic Church
Walk down The Shambles, one of the best-preserved medieval streets in England, once lined with butcher shops
Learn the surprising origins of York’s distinctive street names like Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate and Coppergate
Visit the spot where infamous highwayman Dick Turpin’s body was displayed after his execution
See the Multangular Tower, where you can still spot cannonball damage from the English Civil War
Cross Lendal Bridge, which replaced the ferry service and sparked local controversy when it opened in 1863
Discover the surprising connection between Victorian physician John Snow and London’s deadly cholera epidemic

Please note

Places to stop along the way

This tour passes through some of the busiest (and best) parts of York, so there are plenty of good places to stop along the way.

You’ll be passing York Minster, which is an obvious pause point if you want to stop for photos, a wander, or just to stare up at it and quietly say “wow”.

There are also lots of great cafés, pubs, bars and independent shops along the route. Feel free to pause the tour at any point - it will pick up again exactly where you left off, whether that’s after a coffee, a pint, or a spot of accidental shopping.

Best time of day

The best time to do this tour is between 9am and 6pm, mainly because parts of the route pass through Yorkshire Museum Gardens and Dean’s Park behind York Minster, which have set opening hours.

The tour can be enjoyed all year round, but it’s most pleasant in daylight - and significantly easier when you can actually see where you’re going!!

Precautions

York is very good at history, and occasionally very enthusiastic about rivers. After heavy rain, parts of the route near Tower Gardens and The King’s Arms may be temporarily inaccessible due to flooding.

If that happens, don’t worry - you’ll still be able to follow along and enjoy the story from nearby higher ground, and the tour will guide you on regardless.

Comfortable shoes are recommended, and depending on the season, a waterproof jacket or umbrella may also come in handy. This is Yorkshire, after all.

Bring Headphones / Charge Your Device