The York Dungeon heads into haunted streets for murkiest history walking tour UPDATED 16/4/2021

Meet Smedley, the York Dungeon’s “ugliest and smelliest peasant”, who will be hosting the haunted city walking tour from today (16/4/2021)

YORK’S darkest, grisliest, downright murkiest history will be coming to light soon as The York Dungeon springs its frighteningly fun but family-friendly walking tour on the haunted historic city.

Letting out the creeps from today (Friday, April 16), the spooky new tour will run Friday to Sunday with a range of start times throughout the day.

“Family day trips and city sightseeing have been limited over the past year, yet as the UK prepares to exit lockdown, we have the perfect plan for an eerie and exciting day out,” announces the York Dungeon.

Taking the York Dungeon above ground, guests will be led on a tour of hair-raising historic locations by two of the Clifford Street visitor attraction’s most/least loved residents, the “ever so bonkers and slightly sarcastic” Black Jester and the “ugliest and smelliest peasant”, Smedley.

Horrible tales of York’s murky past will be wrapped up in suspense and surprises as families discover “the real tales of the city” labelled as one of Britain’s most haunted on a “toe-curling” journey that will combine true history with hidden secrets.

“Listen as our gruesome twosome regale you with tales of tragedy, horror, hangings, and ghosts as you explore York’s most historically spectacular sights, including Clifford’s Tower, York Minster and Shambles, just to name a few,” invites the York Dungeon website.

“Learn about York’s most infamous rogues and heavenly saints, including Dick Turpin, Guy Fawkes and the Pearl of York herself – Margaret Clitheroe – as you laugh, creep and jump around the winding streets of the city…it’s all that good stuff we couldn’t pack into the depths of the dungeons!

Who let the creeps out?! The York Dungeon Walking Tour will do so from April 16

“If Vikings and Romans are your thing then worry not, peasants, as you’ll be immersed in stories of Roman exploits and Viking invasions! We love a good story of death and carnage, don’t you?”

General manager Andy Turner says: “We’re so excited to be able to bring our family-favourite dungeon experience out of the shadows and onto the streets of York.

“The York Dungeon has been an experience for so many before, yet never like this. Guests can learn about the history of York, while visiting landmarks, and there may be a few spooky surprises along the way.”

Tours will depart from outside the York Dungeon at 12 noon, 1.30pm, 3pm and 4.30pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Guests must pre-book tickets via the York Dungeon website, thedungeons.com/york/, with prices starting at £6.50 for adults and £5.50 for children.

Each York Dungeon Walking Tour will be limited to 15 “peasants”, so early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. All children aged five to 15 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over. 

For customer safety, the new “Who Let The Creeps Out?” tour has been fully adapted to be Covid-19 secure, including social distancing, limited tour size and the entirety of the tour taking place outside. Face masks will be worn by the York Dungeon’s actors at all times.

THE York Dungeon remains closed under Covid-19 restrictions with plans to reopen in line with Government guidance on May 17 this year.