York Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt
Overview
Roman walls, Viking streets and a Gothic giant — York layers 2,000 years of history into one compact riddle.
This app-led scavenger hunt takes you through York on foot, using phone-based riddles to guide you from one landmark to the next. No guide, no fixed start time.
• Climb the mound to Clifford's Tower, the castle's stone survivor
• Stand beneath York Minster, northern Europe's Gothic masterpiece
• Squeeze through the Shambles, the medieval street that time forgot
Around 2 hours, any group size, available in English.
Old York, new tricks.
What's Included
- Free download of the Explorial App from your appstore (iOS or Android smartphone required)
- Points and scoring system: Compete between players of your group and beat the cities high score.
- Live Location: navigate within the map with marked locations. Always know where you are.
- Learn about the cities stories, history, and local legends
- Total flexibility: no waiting, start anytime, walk at own pace and do as many breaks as you want.
- Self-guided walking tour with interactive riddles, trivia challenges and photo tasks.
- Entrance fees are not required for this game. All puzzles relate to the public areas of the sights
- This is not an audio guide but an sightseeing, gaming and learning experience
- Live-Guide: 100% self-guided; no one will meet you or join your group. Start anytime you want.
Meeting Location
Leeman Road
York, UK
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Starting on Leeman Road, beside the National Railway Museum, you'll open the Explorial app, enter the 6-digit game code that you received by text and Viator chat message, and head for the walled city. The tour is fully self-guided — no guide, no fixed start time, just your group and the city.
Clifford's Tower rises on its grassy mound — the keep of York Castle, witness to the city's darkest and proudest hours. Riddles circle the stone quatrefoil.
York Minster follows, vast and luminous, holding half of England's medieval stained glass. Trivia tests you on towers, saints and stonemasons.
Then the Shambles closes in: overhanging medieval shopfronts nearly touching overhead, once butchers' row, now pure atmosphere.
Around two hours inside the walls, ghost stories included free of charge. The leaderboard names York's champion — Viking horns optional.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Weather & Health Guarantee: If bad weather or illness prevents you from starting the tour, you can simply reschedule it for another day. You can also rebook to a different city or request a refund
- Smartphone required: Bring your own fully charged smartphone with an active mobile data connection to the start of the tour. Please disable any VPN and avoid city Wi-Fi, as these will cause the app to malfunction or disconnect.
- Recommended attire: It’s best to wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes — approx. 2 hours of light walking
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Max 15 people per booking. For larger groups, make multiple bookings.
- After booking you receive a text message and a Viator message with your game code. Download the Explorial app from your appstore. Open the app, enter your 6 digit game code
- Operated by a business
Frequently Asked Questions
(6)Q: What is the cancellation policy for the York Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-298466P295
Reviews
Average 3.00 out of 5 stars based on 1 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
Similar Tours & Activities
Self-guided Tour & Treasure Hunt Travel Experience - Over 100 destinations & challenges to explore - Kid friendly & great for avoiding crowds - Flexible...
$22.38
Explore the ancient city of York on a 24 or 48-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off bus tour. This sightseeing extravaganza will take you to all of...
$25.11
This Private Tour provides the opportunity for you to get out into the countryside to enjoy the fresh air and scenic beauty of the North...
$450.75
Step back to the 1960s on a guided bus tour exploring Heartbeat country in Yorkshire. Explore Aidensfield, Ashfordley and the beautiful moorlands of Yorkshire....
$89.27
Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Daytime Sightseeing Boat Cruise in York
Welcome aboard our daytime sightseeing trip in York, where travellers embark on an unforgettable journey through history, culture, and natural beauty. Our daytime sightseeing trip...
$23.07
Winner of a magical myriad of awards, and York's ONLY tour created for families with children! WINNER #1 Best Family Experience in the World 2025...
$18.33
York Dungeon Entry Ticket
Step back in time and discover the darkest moments in Yorkshire’s history with a visit to York Dungeon! The ticket to the spooky walk-around attraction...
$23.62
Explore the ancient city of York on a 24 or 48-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off bus tour. This sightseeing extravaganza will take you to all of...
$25.11
Frequently Asked Questions (6)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Destinations customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST).
- Free download of the Explorial App from your appstore (iOS or Android smartphone required).
- Points and scoring system: Compete between players of your group and beat the cities high score.
- Live Location: navigate within the map with marked locations. Always know where you are.
- Learn about the cities stories, history, and local legends.
- Total flexibility: no waiting, start anytime, walk at own pace and do as many breaks as you want.
- Self-guided walking tour with interactive riddles, trivia challenges and photo tasks.
- Entrance fees are not required for this game. All puzzles relate to the public areas of the sights.
- This is not an audio guide but an sightseeing, gaming and learning experience.
- Live-Guide: 100% self-guided; no one will meet you or join your group. Start anytime you want.
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the York Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt is as follows:
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Weather & Health Guarantee: If bad weather or illness prevents you from starting the tour, you can simply reschedule it for another day. You can also rebook to a different city or request a refund
- Smartphone required: Bring your own fully charged smartphone with an active mobile data connection to the start of the tour. Please disable any VPN and avoid city Wi-Fi, as these will cause the app to malfunction or disconnect.
- Recommended attire: It’s best to wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes — approx. 2 hours of light walking
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for York Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Destinations. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What's Included
- Free download of the Explorial App from your appstore (iOS or Android smartphone required)
- Points and scoring system: Compete between players of your group and beat the cities high score.
- Live Location: navigate within the map with marked locations. Always know where you are.
- Learn about the cities stories, history, and local legends
- Total flexibility: no waiting, start anytime, walk at own pace and do as many breaks as you want.
- Self-guided walking tour with interactive riddles, trivia challenges and photo tasks.
- Entrance fees are not required for this game. All puzzles relate to the public areas of the sights
- This is not an audio guide but an sightseeing, gaming and learning experience
- Live-Guide: 100% self-guided; no one will meet you or join your group. Start anytime you want.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Weather & Health Guarantee: If bad weather or illness prevents you from starting the tour, you can simply reschedule it for another day. You can also rebook to a different city or request a refund
- Smartphone required: Bring your own fully charged smartphone with an active mobile data connection to the start of the tour. Please disable any VPN and avoid city Wi-Fi, as these will cause the app to malfunction or disconnect.
- Recommended attire: It’s best to wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes — approx. 2 hours of light walking
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Max 15 people per booking. For larger groups, make multiple bookings.
- After booking you receive a text message and a Viator message with your game code. Download the Explorial app from your appstore. Open the app, enter your 6 digit game code
- Operated by a business
