Dark Tales of York

Dark Tales of York We offer a private guided historical ghost tour of York. Walk in the footsteps of history and disco

Discover a darker side to the historical city of York with a private ghost tour.

On this day in 1739 the famous highwayman and horse thief Dick Turpin was executed by hanging at the Knavesmire (now Yor...
07/04/2026

On this day in 1739 the famous highwayman and horse thief Dick Turpin was executed by hanging at the Knavesmire (now York Racecourse).
His body was laid out in the cellor of the blue Boar Inn and the landlord charged people to come and have a look.
He was buried in St George’s Churchyard in York. His body was stolen by body-snatchers shortly after and sold to doctor William Palm but was recovered by a mob, and then reburied with quicklime.
The gravestone bearing his name still attracts many tourists but modern research suggests it might not be his actual burial site.

On this day in 1586 St Margaret Clitherow was martyred here in York. She was sentenced to be pressed to death for hiding...
25/03/2026

On this day in 1586 St Margaret Clitherow was martyred here in York.
She was sentenced to be pressed to death for hiding Catholic priests. She was taken to the toll booth on Ouse Bridge and then laid down. A heavy door was placed on top of her and then four men hired for the occasion placed heavy stones on top of the door.
She survived 15 minutes of this terrible ordeal.
Her body was then sent to be buried in unsanctified ground but as she died a martyr her hand was removed and became a holy relic.
Her hand remains a holy relic in the Bar Convent and there is a shrine to her on the Shambles.
She was evebtually made a Catholic Saint in 1970.

Whilst in Poland recently I visited the museum of the Krakow hangman, which displays many instuments of torture.The man ...
07/03/2026

Whilst in Poland recently I visited the museum of the Krakow hangman, which displays many instuments of torture.
The man who runs the museum is apparently a descendant of the hangman.

13/02/2026

The psychological name for fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskevidekatriaphobia, derived from Greek words meaning Friday and thirteen. A less common term is friggatriskaidekaphobia, named after the Norse goddess F***g. It is a specific form of triskaidekaphobia, which is the fear of the number 13.
So now you know.

Even when I go out for a meal I can't escape from ghosts.
13/02/2026

Even when I go out for a meal I can't escape from ghosts.

York has many haunted pubs. Ye Olde Starre Inn is believed to be the longest continually licensed pub in York.During the...
30/01/2026

York has many haunted pubs.
Ye Olde Starre Inn is believed to be the longest continually licensed pub in York.
During the Civil War it was used as a field hospital and mortuary and many say that sometimes they can still hear the cries and moans of those wounded soldiers.
Its also said to be haunted by two cats, whose mummified bodies were found in a pillar.

31/12/2025

Wishing you a happy and spooky new year.

25/12/2025

Merry Christmas to all.

Did you know that in 1647 parliament passed legislation abolishing the celebration of Christmas. The day was to be treated like any other working day.

Shops were ordered to remain open, and churches were instructed not to hold special services. The Puritan leaders argued that Christmas encouraged drunkeness, idleness, and sinful behavior.

Traditional foods such as mince pies were condemned as symbols of excess.

Accounts from the period state that food was confiscated from households that were found to be celebrating and any public displays of festivity were broken up.

So enjoy your Christmas day and be glad you can celebrate it.

18/12/2025

I'm pleased to announce that the issue with the ticket operater had been resolved and bookings can be made via my website again.

30/11/2025

Unfortunately due to some issues with the ticket operator I am currently unable to take bookings via my website but you can still book via Tripadviser, Viator and Getyourguide.

14/11/2025

I'll be away on holiday for a while.
Tours will resume when I return. 💀

Sadly I wasn't able to post on the 5th of November, but I couldn't pass up a chance to pay tribute to a local man. Since...
07/11/2025

Sadly I wasn't able to post on the 5th of November, but I couldn't pass up a chance to pay tribute to a local man. Since there are still fireworks going off tonight I think its still appropriate.
Although I do wonder what Guy Fawkes would think about us lighting bonfires and fireworks over 400 years after his death.
We often forget what its all about these days, many don't burn the traditional effigy of Guy anymore, but still he isn't entirely forgotten. Especially not here in York, his birthplace and the links to the gunpowder plot are strong here. You see it wasn't only Guy who had connections to York.
He attended St Peters school here in York where he met John and Christopher Wright, two brothers who were also involved in the Gun powder plot. Its believed that they got Guy involved. Also their sister married Thomas Percy who was also involved in the plot.
So York was heavily involved and indeed you could say Guy is with us everyday of the year.

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