York’s Dark Journey: Tales of Murder, Plague and Medieval Horror

Beneath York’s picturesque façade is a past soaked in blood and tragedy. On this walking tour, you’ll hear the grisly tales that shaped this ancient city through the theatrical persona of a Victorian physician who “lived“ in York from 1841 to 1877. Dr Reginald Smalls will bring centuries-old stories of murder, plague, and rebellion to life as you walk the historic streets where these dark events unfolded.

The tour starts at All Saints Church on High Ousegate, which sets the stage for several of the shocking events you’ll hear about. From the banks of the River Ouse to the “Shambles,“ where rows of hooks once displayed fresh meat, each cobblestone and ancient building holds secrets waiting to be uncovered.

You’ll continue past iconic landmarks like York Minster with its imposing Gothic architecture, the city’s ancient defensive bars (fortified gateways), and St. Helen’s Square with its grand Georgian buildings. You’ll veer into lesser-known areas to discover spots like Bedern Hall and narrow snickelways steeped in dark history before ending the tour at the Yorkshire Museum amid the ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey.

Along the way, you’ll have a chance to:

• Hear the shocking story of Margaret Clitherow, who was pressed to death with 700 pounds of weight on Ouse Bridge in 1586 for harboring Catholic priests
• Stand in front of Clifford’s Tower, where 150 Jews committed mass suicide in 1190 to escape a violent mob during one of England’s worst acts of genocide
• Explore Mad Alice Lane (now Lund’s Court) and uncover the truth behind the woman that lived here, who allegedly murdered her abusive husband
• Learn about the Viking invasion of 866, when Ivar the Boneless led the “Great Heathen Army“ and exacted brutal revenge on York’s Anglo-Saxon ruler
• Discover how the 1942 “Baedeker Blitz“ targeted York’s historic buildings during WWII, using a German tourist guidebook
• Stand where notorious highwayman Dick Turpin spent his final days before his execution in 1739 Uncover the bloody history of the Battle of Towton, the single deadliest day in English history with 28,000 casualties

On this 90-minute tour, you’ll step back in time and experience York’s dark past on an unforgettable journey through the city’s most sinister secrets.