WELCOME BACK!

AVG Tours recommenced on 17th May.
To ensure the safety of our guests and our guides, tours will be limited to 10 guests per guide.

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York’s Original & Most Popular

Free Walking Tour

Safety Update Guided Tour Route

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 10 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

Advance Bookings Only

Tour Start Point

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

ALL TOURS MUST BE PRE-BOOKED BOOK HERE

Meet your guide by the William Etty statue, look out for our Tour Times ‘A’ Board starting point which is near the entrance to Kings Manor.. View Map Contact Us

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

70 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?

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

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.

Don’t forget your face mask.

Where does the tour end?

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).

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

We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and Wendy gave us a fabulous insight into York so that we have decided we want to come back

— Cristoph Wiedebach, 23rd October 2021

My husband and I had a tour with Ian yesterday afternoon. What we really liked about it was he took you to quieter areas of the city and you saw things that I don`t think you would see on other maybe more well-known tours. We particularly liked the beautiful church he took us to which was very much out of the way. It was a thoroughly enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours in this beautiful city so many thanks to Ian and the organisation.

— Jackie Bates, 14th October 2021

We were a group of 12 ladies from Bristol visiting York and we wish to thank Ann for setting up the tour and Wendy for giving us such a wealth of information as we walked around York. We all enjoyed the tour and we saw places that we wouldn’t have found ourselves. Many thanks.

— Moira Jenkins, 6th October 2021