Welcome to York - the Royal Route

From the Roman Empire to the Industrial Revolution, via Vikings, the Norman Conquest and the Wars of the Roses, the history of York is the history of England. This city has been at the heart of the action for nearly 2000 years.

With York’s Hidden History, you’ll be at the heart of the action too, in the expert company of our local guides. Using knowledge and humour they'll tell the city's secrets whilst showing you the famous sights. We offer two Welcome to York walks: the Royal Route and the River Route. These are aimed at people new to the city, or who just want to see some of the historic highlights.

On our Royal Route we’ll ramble regally through 2000 years of amazing history. Starting outside the Yorkshire Museum, in the shadow of the city’s ancient stone walls, we’ll explain how a Roman military outpost turned into imperial Eboracum. Making our way across the city via York Minster, The Shambles and Jorvik, we’ll tell tales of conquests and massacres, monks and Vikings, empresses and queens, before finishing our walk beneath Clifford’s Tower, in the heart of York Castle.