York's Hidden History

"I hadn't expected to learn so much about my own city but it was packed with fascinating history that I had no idea about." 

Uncover the secrets of York

We are York's Hidden History, tour guides uncovering the secrets of the city's streets. From Romans and Vikings to the magnificent medieval buildings, the stars of our shows are the people and places who have made York what it is over the last two thousand years.

Where we take greatest pleasure is in going beyond the obvious landmarks and exploring the ancient, natural, scientific and hidden histories of the city. From our Welcome to York tours aimed at those newly arrived to our signature Elemental Tours aiming to go a little deeper to our private walks tailored around your own interests, we can show you a version of York that few people get to experience.  

York's Hidden History Walks

York Residents Festival 2026

Join us on Saturday 31st January and Sunday 1st February as we offer four hidden history walks for the 2026 York Residents' Festival. On Saturday 31st January, we will be offering a morning walk exploring Acomb's Hidden History: North, and an afternoon walk exploring Acomb's Hidden History: South. Both will start and finish at Acomb Explore Library. On Sunday 1st February, we'll explore York's Hidden History of Flooding in the morning, and York: Present and Future Flooding in the afternoon. All walks last 1.5-2 hours, and require residents to book a ticket via our Eventbrite page - https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/york-residents-festival-2026-2949069 - where further details about the walks can be found 

Our Ever Popular, Classic Walks Returning in 2026

Welcome To York: Royal and River Routes

Our Welcome To York offers are a perfect introduction for anybody visiting the city or still getting to know the place. This year, we will be offering two ways to explore York's Hidden History: our Royal Route and our River Route. From the Roman Empire to the Industrial Revolution, via Vikings, the Norman Conquest and the Wars of the Roses, the history of York is the history of England. This city has been at the heart of the action for nearly 2000 years.

With York’s Hidden History, you’ll be at the heart of the action too, in the expert company of our local guides. Using knowledge and humour they'll tell the city's secrets whilst showing you the famous sights.

Elements of York

Our 'Elements of York' walks - the York Air Walk, the York Fire Walk, the York Earth Walk, and the York Water Walk - uncover the ancient, natural, and scientific secrets of the city. They last 90 to 120 minutes, and tickets must be booked in advance via the links in the Tours page. A full schedule for the 2026 Spring and Summer Season will be published soon.

Guilded Tours of York's Hidden History

Our Guilded Tours start and finish outside York Guildhall, and uncover the medieval city hidden within the streets and buildings of modern York. They last around an hour, and you can turn up on the day or book advance tickets online. Please check our Eventbrite page for the latest schedule.

Family events and Private tours

Our Guilded Tours and 'Elements of York' walks are aimed at over-11s, but we also offer family events, such as York fossil hunts and museum activities. We are also very happy to lead private tours of York for individuals, couples, families and groups. We work extensively with local groups (e.g. local businesses, local history societies or branches of the WI) who are looking for a day out and hoping to uncover something new. We will be happy to tailor a walk around whatever your group requires.  Please drop us a line at yorkshh@gmail.com and we'd love to chat further.