Highlights
Forget about crowds, schedules or lines! With this self-guided experience, your smartphone is your new private guide. Discover history hiding in plain sight in the beautiful city of York! This is an entertaining and informative experience for everyone to enjoy - whether you’re a local or a newcomer to the city. Here you will learn about religion, roman conquerors, revolutions, the true history of Vikings, Saints, infamous Massacres, Harry Potter and much more. You will also get an overview of the characters who played an important role, such as Roman Emperors from thousands of years ago, King Charles I, Guy Fawkes, the most terrifying Viking Kings ever documented like Ragnar Lothbrock or Harald Hadrada (who happen to have lived here in Jorvik) and much more. Plus, you'll get insider recommendations so you get the most out of your visit. PS: You will get an email with a code when booking (this code is different from your booking reference number!) and step-by-step instructions.
About This Deal
Departure Point
- All our tours are self-guided. You will be led by the GPS in the app. Remember to check the "Before You Go" Section of your ticket and give Pandemic Tours App access to your location!
Duration
2 hours - 3 hours
Languages Available
- Audio guide - English
- Printed guide - English
- Audio guide - Spanish
- Printed guide - Spanish
Points of Interest
Stop At: York Minster
Minster Yard, Deangate, York
Our tour starts at The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York, commonly known as York Minster. This cathedral is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe and the minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the third-highest office of the Church of England. Here you will learn the story of this beautiful building, its surroundings and more.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: The Roman Column
Treasurers House Minster Yard, York
Did you know that York was once a Roman Fort? Founded in 71 AD, by Roman General Quintus Petillius Cerialis of the Ninth Legion, Eboracum was a fort built on flat ground above the River Ouse near its junction with the River Foss. In this tour, we will tell you everything you need to know about the Roman Heritage of the city and the remains you can still find today.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Dean's Park
Minster Yard, York
This stop is all about the medieval past of the city, specifically, you will learn about the "boundaries" of St Peter's Church and its inhabitants. This city within a city didn't come within the Mayor’s authority thus the area inside was known as the 'Liberty of St Peter'. Come with us to learn what happened inside and what were the social repercussions of St Peter's monks all over the city.
Duration: Not Available
Stop At: St. Michael le Belfrey Church
High Petergate, York
The church of St Michael le Belfrey is the only remaining sixteenth-century church in York and is the largest pre-Reformation parish church in the city. The church is famous for being the place where Guy Fawkes was baptised on 16 April 1570. Here you will learn everything about the guy who made the 5th of November so remarkable all over the world.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: High Petergate
High Petergate, York
Petergate Street, now part of the Minster Quarter, stands on the site of the Roman Via Principalis, the first-century main east-west route through the Roman fortress. The street is named due to its proximity to York Minster, which is dedicated to St Peter. High Petergate was the medieval route into York from the North, it runs from Bootham Bar to Stonegate. Some of the medieval buildings still stand here, forming an eclectic mix with those dating from the Georgian era other period styles of architecture. We will stroll with you through this street and tell you all about it.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Petergate House
11 High Petergate, York
Strolling through High Peter street towards the north entrance you will find Petergate House, a Grade II listed building that was once the home of Sir Thomas Herbert, a historian and groom of the bedchamber to Charles I. You will learn all about these characters and their story. We will also tell you a story about a haunted house in this area.
Duration: Not Available
Stop At: Bootham Bar
De Grey House Exhibition Square, St. Leonards Pl., York
At the end of Petergate street, you will see the Bootham Bar, which once was one of the four main entrances to the Roman fortress some 2000 years ago. You will dive into its history and understand why it still preserved.
Duration: Not Available
Stop At: York City Walls
, , York
Since Roman times, York has been defended by walls of one form or another. York has more miles of intact wall than any other city in England. They are known variously as York City Walls, the Bar Walls and the Roman walls. In this stop, we will tell you everything about the walls, recommendations on where to hop on, and give you the liberty to walk through it as long as you like.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Multangular Tower
Museum Gardens Museum Street, York
The Multangular Tower is located in the western corner tower of the Roman fortress, standing 9 metres high, it contains stonework from both the Roman and medieval periods.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Museum Gardens
Museum Street, York
The beautiful ten-acre botanical Museum Gardens, which surround the Yorkshire Museum, cover the grounds of the former medieval St Mary's Abbey. Established in the early nineteenth century by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society, and designed by landscape architect Sir John Murray Naysmith, the gardens are famous for their stunning collections of trees, shrubs, perennial plants and bulbs. Several noteworthy historic buildings stand within the gardens, these include the remains of the west corner of the Roman fort of Eboracum and St. Mary’s Abby.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: St. Mary's Abbey
Museum Gardens Museum Street, York
St Mary’s Abbey occupied an extensive precinct site immediately outside the city walls, which is now the Museum Gardens. It was a Benedictine foundation with origins dating back to 1086 when magnate Alan Rufus, a distant cousin of William The Conqueror and Count of Brittany, granted it to the monk Stephen of Whitby. At this stop, you will also learn about the remains of the Roman Anglian Tower.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Shambles
11 Shambles, , York
The Shambles is an old street in York, with overhanging timber-framed buildings, some dating back as far as the fourteenth century. It was once known as The Great Flesh Shambles used to display meat shelves from butcheries. We will walk you through this Harry-Potterish street while we discuss its past, what's a myth and what's real about both the novel and real-life events.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Shrine of Saint Margaret Clitherow
35 The Shambles, , York
Among the structures of the Shambles is a shrine to Saint Margaret Clitherow, who is an English saint and martyr of the Roman Catholic Church. She was married to a butcher who owned and lived in a shop in this street, her home is thought to have been No. 10 Shambles. Here, we will let you discover her former house, and tell you all about her past and why she became a Saint.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Jorvik Viking Centre
19 Coppergate, Coppergate Shopping Centre, York
Jórvík or Danish York is a term used by historians for the south of Northumbria (modern-day Yorkshire) during the period of the late 9th century and first half of the 10th century when the city was dominated by Vikings. At this stop, you will learn the rich history of the Vikings, who happened to establish themselves here more than a thousand years ago. You will also get a bonus of the stories of the most famous Vikings who visited the city (three in total, and yes, Ragnar is among them).
Duration: Not Available
Stop At: Clifford's Tower
Tower Street, , York
Clifford’s Tower is one of the best-loved landmarks in York. It is the largest remaining part of York Castle, once the centre of government for the north of England. At this stop, you will get all about York Castle history and its relation with the people of York. We will also give you a list of recommendations of places to go, where to eat and what to do on your visit to this beautiful city.
Duration: 15 minutes
Additional Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please check "Before You Go" Section of your ticket!
- You will get an email with instructions to activate your tour (booking reference isn't the code!)
- Jenny will guide you through an audio guide (no computer-generated voice!)
- Audio guide, pictures, videos, recommendations and all the info you need
- 3 weeks unlimited access to this Self-Guided Tour on the app
- Map, directions, GPS route and stops of each tour
Exclusions
- In-person Guide
- Any entrance fee for the attractions mentioned during the tour
Redemption Instructions
Thanks for choosing Pandemic Tours!
Check the "Before You Go" Section of your booking and give download Pandemic Tours App: www.pandemictoursapp.com
To start the tour, download our App here:
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/co/app/pandemic-tours/id1563922882
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mytoursapp.android.app3129
Once in-app, select your tour by tapping the "Tour" tab, select "Enter Code" for Android or "Login to Download" for iOS and redeem this code (or "Login" for iOS):
HARALD1901
You'll have full access to the tour for 3 weeks. If you have any problem with your booking, contact us at support@pandemictoursapp.com or via WhatsApp at +447367489398
Top tip: access the tour a bit earlier so you familiarise yourself with the App and don't forget to give it access to your location so you can use the map function.
Enjoy your stroll!
PS: Don't forget to rate my tour, please! =)
Voucher Info
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
The tour identified in this promotion is made available through Viator. Groupon is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Pandemic Tours in connection with this deal. Please contact Groupon customer service for all inquiries related to this offer. Inquiries placed to Viator will be directed back to Groupon.
This offer is not eligible for promo codes.
Fine Print
14-day cancellation rights do not apply; no refunds or exchanges permitted. Voucher valid only for date and time listed; may not be exchanged or redeemed for other dates. Purchaser name and phone number must be provided at checkout; this information will be shared with Viator and the tour operator for purposes of order fulfillment. Groupon promo codes may not be used for this offer. Groupon voucher Terms of Sale do not apply. See the tour operator's terms and conditions for this offer here.
Offer is not eligible for our promo codes or other discounts.