The Ghost Bus Tour York

York is often called the most haunted city in England, and the Ghost Bus Tour turns that reputation into a piece of travelling theatre. You board a vintage double-decker bus, dressed in funereal black with its windows darkened, outside York station, and for about an hour and a quarter a live performer in character guides you through the city’s ghost stories while the bus winds through the old streets. The show mixes comedy and genuine chills, with special effects and plenty of interaction with the audience, and the stories draw on York’s real history of plague, executions, battles and its long list of reported hauntings, from Roman soldiers to grey ladies. Because you are seated on a bus, it covers more ground than a walking tour and works well on cold or wet evenings, when standing on street corners is less appealing. It is less frightening than the York Dungeon and more of a comic thriller, which makes it a good choice for groups of friends and families with older children. This page links to the Tiqets ticket. Note that the ticket is non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled, so be sure of your evening before you book.

How to visit: the tour departs from York station, from bus stop RE on Station Road, on the south side of the big Victorian hotel next to the station, formerly the Principal and now The Milner York. Arrive at least ten to fifteen minutes before departure, as the bus leaves on time. The tour lasts about seventy-five minutes and is performed in English by a live guide. Departures are usually in the evening, and the schedule varies by season and day of the week, so pick your slot when you book. The Tiqets ticket is non-refundable and cannot be moved to another date.

What to expect: the bus has its own lighting and sound effects, and the performer moves around the bus, so you will hear the stories clearly from most seats. Some of the show takes place with the lights low, and there are a few jumps and scares, but the humour keeps the mood light. The route ends back near where it started, convenient for the station and the hotels around it.

Making the most of it: sit upstairs for the best atmosphere, dress warmly in November, and book it for your first evening in York, when the stories will make every snickelway you walk afterwards feel a little more mysterious. Pair it with dinner near the station or on Micklegate.