Best of · DARK HISTORY AND HAUNTED TOURS IN THE UK
Every trip has one free day too few. These 8 dark history and haunted tours in the UK justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get on with the rest of it.
Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with a guide trained in Scottish history or backed by decades of experience. In 90 minutes, you’ll visit Tron Kirk, Canongate Kirkyard, and the South Bridge vaults. Groups are capped at six, with time for questions and stories often missed on larger tours.
“A fun adventure exploring some of the hidden history of Edinburgh, very informative and entertaining”
Start at the Guy Fawkes Inn at 6:30 pm and follow a 90-minute evening walk around York’s Minster area, lesser-seen streets, and the Shambles. Guides such as Dan, Josh, and Mackenzie mix grim history, ghost stories, humour, and theatrical storytelling before finishing near the Shambles.
“Dan was an excellent tour guy, very entertaining and made the experience memorable, creating an atmosphere with every story.”
Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town for 75 minutes with a character guide such as Hazel, Juniper, or Angelica. Hear the stories of people accused of witchcraft, pass St. Giles’ Cathedral, Lady Stair’s Close, Castlehill, and Victoria Street, then finish at Grassmarket.
“Our guide was Juniper and she is perfect! So funny, nice and 1h went by without any effort. Full of interesting, catching stories and made us see Edimbourgh through different eyes. Amazing. We recommend!”
Follow a costumed guide such as Cornelius Piper, Merlot, Willow, or Nutmeg through York’s old town. Hear true stories of Mad Alice, Mary Bateman, and other suspected witches while visiting the Shambles, York Minster, Stonegate, Barley Hall, and hidden lanes.
“It was a really lovely tour through the streets (gate) of York. Stories, murders, witches... Cornelius was great and friendly!”
Follow an English-speaking guide from West Parliament Square to Canongate Kirk for a roughly two-hour walk through Edinburgh’s darker past. Expect executions, plague, thieves, body snatchers, old graves, and sharp storytelling from guides such as Robert, Joe, James, Kieran, Lydia, and Chris.
“Advertised as 90 mins, lasted 2 hours. Stories at a couple of stops could have been shortened considering the weather.(Started drizzing rain) Lovely guide however very little interaction with tour participants.”
Follow a theatrical guide such as Juniper, Hazel, or Angelica from St Giles’ Cathedral along the Royal Mile to Grassmarket. Hear stories of witch trials, Mary Queen of Scots, warlocks, public executions, and overlooked women while exploring Edinburgh’s steep, cobbled Old Town.
“Wish we got to see more of the underground vaults and it was a bit longer, but our tour guide was fantastic.”
Follow a costumed witch from Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate through the Shambles, York Minster, Stonegate, and Barley Hall. You’ll hear tales of witches, rats, magic, and York’s past during a lively 70 to 75 minute walk. Guides include Nix, Merlot, Willow, and Cornelius.
“Wonderful tour of York and the Shambles. Our tour guide, nutmeg, I believe 🤔, gave a fantastic tour, she was fun and very informative. Would definitely recommend..”
Meet outside the Philharmonic Dining Rooms for a theatrical walk through Liverpool’s darker past. English-speaking guides such as Chilla Black, Meryl Creep, and Indiana Bones use acting, humor, sound effects, and local stories to lead you past two cathedrals, Rodney Street, and St James’ Gardens.
“This is the second tour I have done. Once again, the whole performance was excellent, informative and extremely good fun. The guides stayed in full actors mode throughout. I would not hesitate to reccomend the ghost tours. A perfect night out. It doesn't matter if you're with friends or on your own as the performers include everyone. Well done and thank you.”
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