York’s Original & Most Popular

Free Walking Tour

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.

Today’s Free Tours

All today’s free tours have departed, but we have more tomorrow…

Tomorrow’s Free Tours

Tuesday 23rd July

10.15am, 1.15pm & 6.15pm

Tour Start Point

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

No need to book!

Just meet your guide by the William Etty statue, look out for our Tour Times board.

View Map

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

600,000+ Visitors

have experienced our tours

68 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

Do I need to book?

No, for our standard tours just turn up at the meeting point at Exhibition Square at least 5 minutes before the designated start time.

Where does the tour start?

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. Remember, there’s no need to book for our standard tours.

Where does the tour end?

The final part of the tour takes us to York’s oldest street, the Shambles.

How much does a standard tour cost?

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.

Some of our most recent feedback

On behalf of the Rotary Clubs of Brielle and Howden, I would like to thank Richard Armistead for his expert guided tour of York yesterday. Rotarians from both Clubs enjoyed the tour and they all learnt a great deal about the magnificent city.
I am most grateful for the time Richard devoted to guiding the Rotarians around York, it was an unforgettable experience for everyone.
After the tour our guests were able to enjoy more sightseeing in York and come away with a wide selection of photographs to take back to their Club.
Once again, thank you for an outstanding tour.
Secretary to the Rotary Club of Howden

— 5th May 2019

My husband and me really enjoyed the tour guided by Wendy yesterday. She explained the different periods of York’s history starting from the Roman foundation and the Roman city walks to Medieval times in the Shambles. She guided us on the city walls and showed us various beautiful hidden places.

She spoke very clearly. We were positively surprised that this very professional tour was free in a time where everything has to be paid. Thank you, Wendy!
Angela M. Germano

— 24th April 2019

I had the most wonderful time learning so much about the history of York yesterday. Our guide, Wendy is so knowledgeable & passionate on advancing & preserving the history of York. She was incredibly generous with her time.

I especially loved the old photos that she shared with us & all the folklore & stories around the buildings & their past residents.

Keep up your good work & keep York beautiful. I will recommend all my friends & family to visit York!
Florianna Sing Key, Australia

— 24th April 2019