By Dane Di Comun Williams
When we were invited to check out the York Witches and History Tour, we knew we’d be in for a wicked treat indeed, and we weren’t disappointed! This spellbinding walking tour offers an all-encompassing 70-minute journey through York’s rich tapestry of witchcraft, folklore, and historical intrigue.
We met with our designated witch at Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate, which serves as the starting point of the tour. Our group was advised to ensure that we were present 5-10 minutes early to check-in, so make sure you turn up ahead of the scheduled time if you’re planning to hop on your broom!
On this occasion, our wonderful witch was Willow, a charismatic character guide whose engaging delivery and spooky storytelling prowess worked to transform the already familiar cobbled streets and medieval buildings into a bewitching living narrative.
Over the course of the 70-minute runtime (which I felt flew by), Willow helped us to delve into the city’s dark past by weaving tales of infamous local people from days gone by, such as the tragic Catholic martyr Margaret Clitherow, the gunpowder plotter Guy Fawkes, and the mysterious folklore figure Mad Alice.As well as highlighting these famed Yorkie legends, Willow also ran through some lesser-known stories of those unfortunate souls who were accused of, and tried for witchcraft within and around the city walls.
As well as providing a healthy dose of macabre and tragic historical knowledge from the York area, the tour also provides a great introduction for guests to the city, exploring some of its most picturesque and iconic local landmarks; these include unique sites such as The Shambles, the authentically reconstructed Barley Hall, the remains of St Crux Church (now St Crux parish hall), and the majestic York Minster, which should need little introduction for our readers! In their winding walk through the gates and snickelways of York, guests can really soak up the atmosphere of the city and enjoy a more immersive experience when it comes to digesting the often-grisly tales from the past.
While this route is perfect for tourists and newbies in town, even those longstanding York residents who are already more than familiar with these places are sure to find some interesting info to get their teeth into here. Having lived in, and visited York for many years now, I was surprised to learn more about the connection between the Minster and the public perception of witchcraft and heresy back in the day.
Willow’s ability to make the past feel immediate and personal ensured that each tale is sure to resonate with a modern audience, regardless of their own level of interest in superstition or witchcraft. In my opinion, this captivating tour would be perfect for visitors or locals of almost any age, however, it’s worth noting that the York Witches and History Tour is not considered suitable for those children under the age of 5.
With tickets ranging from £15-£17, you can book your own spot for the York Witches and History Tour now, at www.witches-tour.com/york-witches-walking-tour/.
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