The Original Roman Walk: York Guided Walking Tour
Description
Discover the imperial capital that shaped an empire. Long before it was York, this city was Eboracum—a crucial northern powerhouse of the Roman Empire where emperors ruled and stayed. On this immersive walking tour, you’ll leave the modern streets behind to trace the monumental footprint of the Roman legions. Led by an expert historical guide, we strip away the myths to look at the real history, engineering, and daily lives of the people who built ancient York. From high-status citizens to the soldiers guarding the frontier, discover how Rome stamped its authority on the British landscape. Perfect for history enthusiasts and curious travelers looking for an authentic, deep-dive exploration of York’s classical past.
Tour Options
Itinerary
A stroll around the exquisite Museum Gardens to take in the ruins of St. Mary's Abbey, the Hospitium, the arboreal garden, and soak up the wonderful atmosphere in front of the Yorkshire Museum.
We start our tour at the Multangular Tower, the largest remaining piece of Roman architecture remaining from the ancient city of Eboracum, before taking in a portion of the Museum Garden, passing the Yorkshire Museum, and making our way to the late Roman "Anglian Tower".
Tracing the footsteps of the Roman guards, we walk along the two northern portions of the medieval city walls*, which are built directly on top of the original Roman walls and gatehouses. Stunning views of York Minster ensue. *The city walls are occasionally closed due to time, bad weather, or maintenance. Original York Walks and its various tours bear no responsibility for access to the city walls, and are always just as disappointed as you when they are inaccessible.
Making our way past the Treasurer's House, we take a short break from our regular history to tell the tale of, arguably, the most credible ghost story from York. Trust me, it is relevant to Romans.
A short first stop at the York Minster as we follow the old Roman road and take in some bonus history: the Great East End Window.
Here we visit an original Roman column from the principia and learn about the nearby forum and basilica.
Situated proudly by the Minster sits the statue of Constantine the Great. In his shadow I shall explain just how many emperors made York their home, and even the seat of the entire Roman empire!
At this point in the tour I hand over to the custodians of the Roman Bath Museum, where you will get to discover the original soldier's bathhouse of the fortress.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(4)
I've done a few tours in various cities and can easily say, this is one of the best. Neil was informative, funny and entertaining. He demonstrated an excellent knowledge of local history and was skilled in putting the past across in a way that I could easily follow. Definitely recommend. Thank you!
A great way to learn about the Roman history of York. We went as a couple but there were families enjoying it too. We were pleasantly surprised to be shown places we didn't know were there even after visiting York several times. Neil kept the tour interesting and we also really enjoyed the Roman Baths.
Having done The Original Viking Walk I was excited to do the Roman one too and it did not disappoint. The tour was about 2 hours long and filled with information. Neil was very knowledgeable but kept it light hearted and fun. I found it well worth the money and would highly recommend.
A fantastic journey back in time! The Roman tour was engaging, informative, and full of interesting stories. The guide's passion for York's history made the experience even more enjoyable. Great value for money and suitable for both adults and children.
