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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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.

PRE-BOOKING IS RECOMMENDED

BOOK HERE

Tours begin at 10.30 am and 13.15 pm every day except Christmas Day. Our tours are free; there is no need to offer a tip.

Tour Update

Tour numbers are limited to 30 per tour and there are two guides on duty for each tour. Your tour guides will advise you on the day as to which guide you will be touring with.

Pre-booking is recommended. We reserve the right to cancel the tour should circumstances, in the judgement of the guides 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.

Advance Booking Recommended

Tour Start Point

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

PRE-BOOKING IS RECOMMENDED – BOOK HERE

Meet your guide between the William Etty statue, and Kings Manor Entrance Gates in front of the Art Gallery, look out for our Tour Times ‘A’ Board starting point which is near the entrance to Kings Manor.

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

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?

Tour numbers are limited per guide and you can turn up on the day but we recommend that tours 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 joined a tour today, Wednesday 11th May 2022 and our guide was Alan and he was fantastic! He was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable throughout the tour, cascading information. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the tour and learnt sooooo much. Many thanks to the generosity of the tour guides to give up their own time to impart their knowledge. Thank you, Alan!

— Gloria, 11th May 2022

Visiting York for the first time for a long weekend with my partner, we planned to take this tour to get an overview of the city and its history. This is exactly what happened, but we were actually not expecting such an interesting guided tour, given for free. Our guide Neil is really passionate about the city, extremely knowledgeable and managed to make us feel like the tour had lasted one hour less! Highly recommended, even for people who know York already!

— Julie and Alberto, 1st May 2022

Mick was terrific
He may lose a noun but that was easily remedied!
Please thank him for telling us about General Wolfe’s mother and the pub

— Sheila Rose, 7th May 2022