ToursGaGa

York tours

Bus tours

York City Sightseeing is a hop-on, hop-off bus service that travels around the city centre.

Tel: (01904) 655 585.
Website: http://www.yorktourbuses.co.uk

Walking tours

There are dozens of tours in York. free daily guided walking tours of a more conventional nature from the Association of Voluntary Guides.

Tel: (01904) 640 780.

Ghost tours

The International Ghost Research Foundation announced that York was ‘officially' the most haunted city in Europe in 2002 and there are plenty of ghost tours around the city to impart insights into York's resident ghosts. Some of these tours rely on trickery and theatrics, whilst others opt for a more straightforward historical approach. The best is The Original Ghost Walk of York which departs from outside the King's Arms pub, 3 King's Straith, on a nightly basis.

Tel: (01759) 373 090.
Website: http://www.theoriginalghostwalkofyork.co.uk

Boat tours

There are also various sightseeing boat tours, offering daytime and evening cruises.

Tel: (01904) 628 324.
Website: http://www.yorkboat.co.uk

York excursions

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

The railway traverses stunning windswept scenery along 29km (18 miles) of preserved steam railway.

Tel: (01751) 472 508.
Website: http://www.northyorkshiremoorsrailway.com

Castle Howard

This is one of England's grandest remaining baroque mansions. There are many such stately homes in North Yorkshire.

Tel: (01653) 648 444.
Website: http://www.castlehoward.co.uk

Whitby

The northeast coast is not far from York and veers from traditional fun at Scarborough in the form of funfair rides and fish and chips, to the charming, cobblestone Whitby, with its somewhat gothic reputation – the town inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula.

Website: http://www.discoveryorkshirecoast.com