The Bloody Tour of York is an award-winning 90-minute walking tour that delves into the macabre and extraordinary 2000-year history of York. Led by the mysterious Mad Alice—a figure entrenched in local folklore—the tour takes participants through York’s streets and snickleways, sharing chilling tales of torture, execution, and other eerie events that have shaped the city.

The tour covers a range of historical themes, including the stories of the Romans, Vikings, and the impact of the Plague on York. Guests will also learn about infamous figures like Guy Fawkes and Dick Turpin, as well as local legends such as Margaret Clitherow. Each tale showcases the rich tapestry of York’s dark past.

We recommend wearing comfortable shoes as the tour involves a lot of walking through the historic streets of York. Dress appropriately for the weather, as the tour takes place rain or shine.

Yes it is. We do not climb any stairs or enter into buildings. York is quite a flat city
and with it being an old there are a few ancient cobbles to navigate but Mad Alice will
ensure the smoothest possible route and make sure to be always seen and heard.

Provided 48 hours is given you will be offered a refund. After 48 hours and up to the
start time, tickets can be exchanged for a later date. Please contact Mad Alice at
info@thebloodytourofyork.co.uk

It is advisable as sometimes the tour may sell out and if full capacity is reached you
may be turned away. Also it helps if Mad Alice needs to cancel the tour for whatever
reason, then there is a point of contact.

Mad Alice is the tour guide persona inspired by a real historical figure who allegedly died in 1825. She is rumored to have had a tumultuous life, including accusations of poisoning her husband. With her signature costume and engaging storytelling, Mad Alice brings York’s dark history to life while revealing her own intriguing tale along the way.

Absolutely! The Bloody Tour of York doesn’t just focus on the historical; it also explores York’s haunted reputation. Participants will encounter stories about ghosts, witches, saints, and even cats that tie into the city’s supernatural lore, making for an engaging and spine-tingling experience.

The Bloody Tour of York lasts approximately 90 minutes. This time allows for a leisurely stroll through the city while Mad Alice regales you with tales of terror and intrigue.

Absolutely! We love dogs, especially if they are well behaved. In fact on occasion,
Mad Alice is known to bring her adopted Miniature Schnauzer V on the tour!

Errrr….because Mad Alice is York’s only Wench! The Bloody Tour of York is a multi
award winning tour highlighting the history and supernatural element of York. It
recently won the title of the “Best sightseeing Tour in Europe” award at the Arrival
Tourism Awards in Berlin. Though it may not be for everyone, Mad Alice will try to
talk to you as you wander round and help you make the most of your time in York.

For the standard Bloody Tour of York offered on an evening, visitors are more likely
to catch Mad Alice around York Minster during the first 20 minutes or at the
Shambles after the first 30 minutes. It is advisable to wait in these areas for around
15 minutes. As the tour has no fixed route, it can be difficult to find Mad Alice but for
a small surcharge of £5 per person your tickets can be swapped for another day,
provided the request is submitted during the first 45 minutes of the start time of the
tour.

Possibly. But in a nice way! Mad Alice never wants to embarrass or humiliate her
guests but she is very chatty and will employ some friendly banter. She is also quite
good at looking out for those who are the most uncomfortable so she will only ever
“pick” on willing candidates.

Unfortunately, there are not many public toilets in York and the tour does not pass
any. It is advisable to go before the tour but if nature begins calling during the tour
speak to Mad Alice who may be able to point you in the direction of the nearest
pub/hotel.

Not really. It’s like a live version of “Horrible Histories” so it’s slightly gory but with
doses of humour to lighten the mood. There are also quite graphic descriptions of
plague, beheadings and hangings so maybe those with sensitive stomachs may
want to give this a miss.

Yes! Check out the tour listings page to find details of the Execution Tour, The York Walls Tour and Halloween Specials. There are plans for new tours in 2025! Please note some of these tours are seasonal and may not run all year, but it’s a good excuse to come back! You can also visit social media channels where Mad Alice has created
videos about additional gruesome and spooky stories of York.

We’d love to hear from you if you enjoyed the tour. Please leave a review on
TripAdvisor, Google and through the ticket system you used. These reviews are how
people find us and so you’d really be helping us out!

You can also purchase Bloody Tour merchandise available here be really be the envy of others!

Thank you for your generosity! For this reason we have provided a link to a virtual tip jar on the website. Just click here!

We’re so very sorry we couldn’t provide you with the best experience. We would
encourage you to contact us directly before leaving any negative feedback anywhere
as we would try to resolve the situation. Please send us an email at
info@thebloodytourofyork.co.uk describing the issues and we will do our best to
rectify the situation.