Booking fee
The booking fee includes the costs of booking your tickets such as charges for payment processing. It also covers the provision of our customer care center for processing your order, and all charges imposed by our suppliers.
* This tour requires at least one of the following per booking: Adult, Senior
Take the plunge on the York Water Walk as we dive into York's amazing aquatic history. We'll explore how water - from rivers and lakes to distant seas and ancient ice sheets - has shaped the city over thousands of years. We'll find out how to bridge a river with a river, meet the teetotaller who learnt that beer could be better than water, and even do a bit of unicorn-hunting. On the York Water Walk, you'll be sure to make a splash!
Unique expertise from our PhD-qualified leaders
Departure Point
Museum Gardens, Museum St, York YO1 7FR, Verenigd Koninkrijk
We start the York Water Walk by the Yorkshire Museum sign near the Multangular Tower in York Museum Gardens.
Return Details
14 Piccadilly, York YO1 9PB, Verenigd Koninkrijk
We finish the York Water Walk on Piccadilly, overlooking the Foss Bridge and the Merchant Adventurers' Hall.
St. Mary's Abbey, York, United Kingdom In the ruins of St Mary's Abbey, we'll learn why Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries didn't work quite so well in York. 5 minutes
Marygate, York YO30, UK We'll leave Museum Gardens and walk down Marygate to the River Ouse. At Marygate Landing we'll learn of the river's importance to mediaeval trade, and how fisher-monks caused trouble to the city. We'll also ask how an Ice Age deer ended up at the bottom of a swimming pool...! 10 minutes
Lendal Bridge, York, United Kingdom In the shadow of Lendal Tower we'll admire Lendal Bridge, and learn about ferrymen, river-chains, and the water engineer who got immortalized in a Kaiser Chiefs song. 5 minutes
YO1 6JD, Verenigd Koninkrijk, York, North St, North Street Gardens After crossing Lendal Bridge, we'll descend into North Street Gardens to see where (and why) the Romans crossed the River Ouse. We'll also learn why beer was better than water, play the ever-popular guessing game of "Ouse Who?" and listen out for the sound of the Viking recorder. 10 minutes
Ouse Bridge, York, United Kingdom How can you cross a river with a river? And what's the best bar in York? On the York Water Walk you'll learn the answers to both these questions! 5 minutes
King's Staith, York YO1, UK After crossing the Ouse Bridge, we'll meander along the waterfront at King's Staith, discussing floods, docks, and why the Kings of England probably didn't take their boat to King's Staith. 10 minutes
Skeldergate Bridge, York, United Kingdom Traffic on the River Ouse is relatively quiet these days, but at Skeldergate Bridge we can imagine York in its heyday as a tidal port, and discuss why this area was so important to William the Conqueror. 10 minutes
Tower Gardens, York, United Kingdom You can't offer a York Water Walk without talking about floods, and Tower Gardens is the perfect place to do it, especially with the motte and bailey of Clifford's Tower to admire too. 5 minutes
Fishergate Postern Tower, York, United Kingdom Leaving the River Ouse behind, we'll turn our attention to York's second river, the Foss. Crossing Castle Mills Bridge we'll stop at Fishergate Postern and learn about waterfalls and ditches, King's fishponds, and why not to stand beneath a garderobe. 10 minutes
St. Deny's Church, York, United Kingdom From Fishergate Postern we'll move round to St Denys Church to hear about fishmongers, hydrophobia, and subsidence, before moving on to our final stop by the Merchant Adventurers' Hall on Piccadilly. 10 minutes
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
john19482016
11 Jun 2023
We did this tour with Dr Rogerson today and thoroughly enjoyed it. If you want to know a little more about York I would recommend this walking tour.
I5649WDdavidb
08 Jun 2023
A fascinating 2 hours introduction to the Rivers Ouse and Fosse and their impact upon the development of the city from Roman times to the present day. Aspects of history, commerce, archaeology and building construction were presented by Simon, our tor guide, to a remarkable depth; a history lesson full of interesting facts and amusing stories delivered with some humour.
A really enjoyable experience; the only way to really appreciate this historic city.
Many thanks.
Elizabeth_Darcy
17 Feb 2023
Really enjoyed this tour of York which goes off the beaten track - quite literally - to the normal ghost tours. Loved learning how the geology and geography of York has affected its history. Liam was a really engaging guide, with the perfect mix of enthusiasm and humour. You'll never look at cobblestones in quite the same way again!
PS Also appreciated how Liam skilfully grouped people to stand away from main thoroughfares and not block the road. I wish every tour guide was as mindful of this.
This tour in
England
is organized by
York Hidden History Walks
We always double-check the availability with our local partners for each booking. Even though this is usually a swift process, it can take up to 24 hours. Once this process is completed you will receive your voucher or ticket by email. If our local partner is not able to confirm your booking we will offer you the best possible alternative. If the new date and/or time doesn’t fit your itinerary, we will reimburse the full amount paid.
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