The Bloody Tour of York
April - November Tours run on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 6pm and 8pm Kings and Queens have left their own bloody mark on the city.
York has over 2000 years of blood thirsty history it doesn't need any hearsay stories as the facts speak for themselves. Join your own very special costumed guide Mad Alice as she takes you to some of York's most famous landmarks and some not so well known. Hear the stories of the Romans and Vikings and how they built this city on a fearful reputation. Stories of murder, witchcraft and botched exe
Great Fire of London
In the early hours of 2nd September 1666, whilst the people of London slept, a bakery on pudding lane, owned by Thomas Faryner (Farriner), a spark would start one of the most devastating conflagrations in British history.
Destroying 13,200 homes, 87 parish churches, The Royal Exchange, Guildhall and St Paul’s Cathdral - 436 acres around four-fifths of the city within the old city walls.
Amazingly only 6 people are reported to have lost their lives in the fire. Over 100,000 Londoners were left homeless with life as they knew it left in ashes.
The fire ravaged London for 4 days. Finally ending on Wednesday 5th September 1666.
Superstition Sunday
So many superstitions date wayyyyy back and often have a smidge of bloody history behind them! So, if you fancy learning abit more about a superstition you may also have check back every Sunday!
Walking Under A Ladder
We have all probably heard of this one… but why should you avoid walking under a ladder - common sense says incase the ladder falls or the person on the ladder drops something. Well, both valid but what about this…
The superstition dates back to medieval times the ladder was used when the accused, sentenced to be hanged at the gallows would climb the ladder before meeting their grisly end - the connection to the gallows made ladders and walking under them bad luck.
Let’s not stop there… Christians also had their own theory which relates to the Holy Trinity. A ladder leaning against a wall creates a triangle - so if you walked under the ladder you would be breaking the triangle therefore destroying the sanctity of the Trinity which would lead to bad luck and punishment and meaning you were as bad as the devil… abit harsh.
So, there you go - if this wasn’t one of your superstitions before, maybe it should be 🪜
Last weekend of the summer holidays!
Parents, get yourself a nice cold alcoholic drink and cheers yourself. You did it 🍻
was looking lovely in the summer sun today. Here is Monk Bar soaking up those rays ☀️
Safe to say it has been busy this weekend in York! Hope you all had a good bank holiday.
The news we have been waiting for… the w***h is back from her holiday and tours will be resuming TOMORROW!! Phew.
It’s the last week of the summer holidays so book that one final treat.
Tickets - www.thebloodytourofyork.co.uk
On this Day
22nd August 1572 - Thomas Percy was beheaded right here in York!
𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝
Mad Alice is now on holiday!
Tours will resume on Tuesday 27th August.
Until then, no calls will be answered and emails may be glanced at in-between margaritas! I wouldn’t hold your breath on this one though!
Totally 100% real photo of Mad Alice on holiday*
*not really
Abit of Saturday fun for all of the cool kids staying in tonight!
“You are going ghost hunting and you can only choose one item to take with you. Go!”
Mad Alice is dead inside so probably wouldn’t be seeing any ghosts… so gin has got to be the answer.
How to make a W***h happy! Massive shout out to regular tour visitor Marcus who is staying with my wonderful friends at No 21 York who brought me some freshly baked goods baked by No 21 York ...THANK YOU so much!! That was very sweet of you..yes I did eat some of it in front of visitors on the 8pm tour!
It’s not very often you can catch this shot in daylight without people around.
With the Shambles having so many different styles of buildings… do you have a favourite? Which business do you think has hit the jackpot with their building!
Share below ⬇️
Well Mad Alice has been busy! Not just with tours, sometimes the back office side of things need abit of love too… However boring it is 😂
Back to the streets tonight with the 6pm and 8pm tours and it’s a bloody warm day for it! Limited tickets remaining for tonight if you fancy spending your evening with a w***h!
See you tonight!!
EXCITING NEWS
Not one… but two new tours from Mad Alice! We can’t have the w***h being bored now can we?!
Mad Alice’s Bloody Ex*****on Tour
Details
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
10am - 11:15am
The Bloody Tour of the York Walls
Sundays
10am - 12pm
For more details use the link in the comments - any issues drop us a message and we can help you out!
Visit York Indie York
The pressing to death of a saint. Saint Margaret Clitherow, the Pearl of York.
Georgian Festival 2024 over and out!
Thank you so much to everyone who joined the Georgian Rogues Gallery Tour over the past 4 days, it has been great fun focusing on some dark Georgian history and taking you on a different tour around York.
Already looking forward to next year!
The Georgian Festival is in full swing with only today and tomorrow left!!
That means 3 chances to see Mad Alice. Tickets available for all three tours today.
4pm - 5:15pm - Georgian Rogues Gallery Tour
6pm-7:30pm - The Bloody Tour of York
8pm - 9:30pm - The Bloody Tour of York
Book now - www.thebloodytourofyork.co.uk
“I wish I was this tall”
Happy Yorkshire Day
Share below your favourite place to visit in Yorkshire… bonus points if you share a gruesome historical story to go with it!
I may or may not be getting drunk....all in the name of entertainment!
York Mansion House Visit York Impossible - York
AN EVENING WITH MAD ALICE & YORK GIN
Join York’s top tour guide Mad Alice and York Gin for an evening of fascinating history and delicious gin tasting.
Where: In the beautiful Terry’s boardroom at Impossible - York (opposite Betty’s).
When: From 7pm on Thursday 1st August.
Book: https://yorkgin.com/georgian
The Bloody Tour of York
Well this is exciting!
Mad Alice and Pairings Wine Bar have teamed up to bring you a horribly good offer! We love to collaborate with independent businesses and other than the obvious love for gin, Mad Alice can polish off a wine or two, so can often be found at Pairings Wine Bar! Pairings also serve the BEST sharing boards! Just look!!
Best thing is that the tour ends very close to Pairings so you don’t have far to walk!
To get this offer you have to quote “One for the road” when you ask for your bill.
Offer runs Sunday - Thursday and is valid all day.
Indie York
Shambles from above!
Wondering if you should do the tour… is it all it’s hyped up to be… I mean we think so! Let’s see what YOU think, here is a review from lastnight:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - TripAdvisor, Shelley M
“Outstanding - what an informative engaging experience. It’s had been a long day in York but Mad Alice and her charisma and knowledge made the tour a wonderful experience to end the day on! Highly recommend”
Book here - www.thebloodytourofyork.co.uk
Throughout history there have been some odd deaths… take our friend Sigurd Eysteinsson died from a graze on his leg caused by the teeth of the severed head he kept as a trophy… but this one might just top the list…
Death by drowning in a cesspool?
The Erfurt Latrine Disaster of 1184 saw a large group of nobles gather in a church in the city of Erfurt in Germany. Meeting to likely settle a dispute about land, the meeting got underway.
The floor collapsed under the weight of the men and well you couldn’t write it… nearly all of the noblemen plummeted into the cesspool below! It is reported that 60 men were killed, whether that be from the fall or drowning in the excrement. It is likely to be a mix of the two.
So yeah… hope you have already eaten your dinner!
Want to join Mad Alice and the lovely guys of York Gin for an evening of Georgian history and gin tasting at the fabulous Impossible - York…
📆 - August 1st
🕰️ - 7:00pm - 8:45pm
📍 - Impossible York
There is still time to book your tickets!
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/yorkgin
York Mansion House
This is going to be good bloody fun!
The Duel of Gray’s Court
Grays Court Hotel & The Bow Room Restaurant
𝓨𝓸𝓻𝓴 𝓖𝓮𝓸𝓻𝓰𝓲𝓪𝓷 𝓕𝓮𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓿𝓪𝓵
Only 2 weeks to go!! Saturday 3rd is already looking busy! Remember this tour is only running as part of the York Georgian Festival | 1st - 4th August.
This tour starts at 4pm outside York Gin on Pavement. With stories of highwaymen and witches this tour is perfect for the whole family!
Book your tickets now 🎟️
I ❤️ York
Shambles, when caught at night when no-one else is around just looks like a film set!
Worth waiting up for trust me.
! I am here, Currently contemplating life's decisions sat on 'The Mayor’s Chair' on Steep Hill...and they aren't kidding.
What should I do whilst I'm here...on my way to see the 'Imp'..
🚨 CUSTOMER ANNOUNCEMENT🚨
No Tours
Friday 12th July
Saturday 13th July
Mad Alice will be as far away from York and the races as possible!
Well, they had to ruin them didn’t they! You know back in the day, where the racecourse is now was the site of the York Tyburn and here they would hold gala days. Great fun for the whole family! A few hangings, merchants selling their wares and even pamphlets could be bought as a souvenir … and the gin… so much gin.
Anyway, until the hangings return we will not be a part of any of it!
Still got tours tomorrow night and Sunday night
www.thebloodytourofyork.co.uk
Today marks the 40th Anniversary of the devastating York Minster Fire.
If you get the chance check out the Out of the Ashes exhibition at York Minster - on now. It is fascinating insight into the event and the aftermath of rebuilding a beautiful 15th Cathedral.
Keep watching to see our friend Mr Fox casually stroll by 🦊
Tickets are selling fast!
Don’t be a fool and miss out. If you have joined Mad Alice for a tour before trust me, you will be blown away by this one!
New stories and York history explored, even a new starting point! Oh yes, this tour starts at our favourite Georgian building in York….. the York Gin shop on Pavement.
Check the comments for booking 🎟️
SELL OUT tour on Thursday so don’t miss out tonight! Save yourself the pain of watching the England match today…
Don’t just take our word for it!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Tonya Ferrara, Google Review
“Fabulous, fun and informative! Would give the tour 10 out of 5 stars if I could. The absolute best! HIGHLY recommend taking any of Mad Alice's tours.”
Look forward to seeing you!
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
Our Story
York has over 2000 years of blood thirsty history.
Join your own very special costumed guide Mad Alice as she takes you to some of York's most famous landmarks and some not so well known.
Hear the stories of the Romans and Vikings and how they built this city on a fearful reputation. Kings and Queens have left their own bloody mark on the city. Stories of murder, witchcraft and botched executions lurk around every corner.
Discover some of the famous characters of York including Guy Fawkes, Margaret Clitheroe and 'The Yorkshire Witch'.
Private tours are available please get in touch for details.
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Meet 6pm And 8pm Outside Street Williams College
York
YO17JF
Opening Hours
Tuesday | 6pm - 7:30pm |
Wednesday | 6pm - 7:30pm |
Thursday | 6pm - 7:30pm |
Friday | 6pm - 7:30pm |
Saturday | 6pm - 7:30pm |
Sunday | 6pm - 7:30pm |
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