CORONAVIRUS UPDATE:
TOURS ARE OPERATING WITHIN GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES

For yours and our volunteer guides’ safety during the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a limit of 5 guests per guide.
Face coverings required in certain locations.

ALL TOURS MUST BE PRE-BOOKED

Welcome

The Association of Voluntary Guides to the City of York (AVG) offer daily free 2-hour walking tours to visitors from all over the world.

We have been offering complimentary guided tours around York since 1951. Our team of 80+ local expert guides take great pleasure in showcasing our beautiful city and we look forward to welcoming you on one of our regular daily tours.

Our tours are free; there is no need to offer a tip.

BOOK HERE

Tour Update

COVID-19:
Please note that in line with Government guidelines a maximum of 5 guests will be allowed with each tour guide.

Your guide will request that you conduct safe-distancing during the tour and face coverings will be required in certain locations.

We reserve the right to cancel the tour should circumstances, in the judgement of the guide on duty, be such that it is not safe to undertake it. We also reserve the right to refuse any individual who cannot or will not observe the safety precautions.

Download a full copy of our Guidelines and  Policy for dealing with Covid-19 Safety

Tours recommence on 1st September 2020.
Advance Bookings Only

Our standard tours are absolutely FREE and, unlike some other advertised tours, there’s really no need for a tip at the end!

A few of our Tour Highlights

Multangular Tower

Museum Gardens

St. Mary’s Abbey

The Kings Manor

Bootham Bar

The Bar Walls

Monk Bar

Treasurer’s House

York Minster

St. William’s College

Holy Trinity Goodramgate

The Shambles

600,000+ Visitors

have experienced our tours

69 Years

of touring the City of York

100+ Nationalities

have participated in our tours

80+ Trained Guides

leading our tours 364 days a year

Some of our most Frequently Asked Questions

During Covid-19 restrictions tours must be booked in advance at this link Book Online. Once you have your ticket please turn up at the meeting point at Exhibition Square at least 5 minutes before the designated start time.

Book Here

All tours depart from outside York City Art Gallery in Exhibition Square.

Simply meet your guide by our ‘tour times’ board next to the William Etty statue and the fountains outside the Art Gallery.

Don’t forget your face mask.

The final part of the tour takes us to York’s oldest street, the Shambles. (During Covid-19 restrictions the end point will vary depending on circumstances on the day, your guide will advise).

The tours are FREE and entirely without charge, the volunteer’s reward is showing the beauty of the City to as many people as possible.

Read more FAQs

Some of our most recent feedback

I was on the 1:15 pm tour with Richard and it totally exceeded my expectations. He was knowledgeable and shared a lot of interesting information about the sights and the fascinating history of York. The walk was easy as well and doable by children and seniors alike. Thanks for offering this!

— Connie, 4th March 2020

Our tour was fantastic! The two and a half hours flew by as we learned about York’s rich history. Our tour guide was personable, funny, enthralling, and knowledgeable about all things York. I can’t recommend this amazing tour enough!

— Emily Schlorf, 7th March 2020

Richard A was a very well informed and engaging guide today. Clearly very enthusiastic about sharing his deep knowledge about his city. He managed to keep all included and interacted with all of us along the walk showing genuine interest in his ‘guests’. Very enjoyable.

— Paul and Ann, 29th February 2020

Read more reviews

The TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence designation recognizes attractions that consistently earn great TripAdvisor reviews from travellers. The Certificate of Excellence accounts for the quality, quantity and recency of reviews submitted by travellers on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period.

Our Tours Start Here

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Tours recommence on 1st September 2020

Tour start address

York City Art Gallery
Exhibition Square
York  YO1 7EW

Where to meet

Meet your tour guide outside City Art Gallery next to the William Etty statue.