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East Midlands
Culture & history

Culture & history

Our most recommended East Midlands Culture & history

York: River Ouse City Cruise

1. York: River Ouse City Cruise

The York City Cruise provides an entertaining and informative tour of the historic city as seen from the River Ouse. Enjoy the sights from a different perspective as a friendly and knowledgeable team guides you leisurely up and downstream. Your cruise departs from the King's Staith landing. Admire the scenery from the comfort of the enclosed saloon or the upper deck and treat yourself to a refreshing drink from the bar. The duration of the cruise is either 45 minutes or 1 hour and is determined by the weather on the day and by demand. Your ticket will be valid for whatever duration is offered on the day of your visit. Typically the 1-hour cruise follows a route that heads upstream to Clifton Bridge on the northern outskirts of York city and then downstream as far as the Millennium Bridge on the city’s southern outskirts, before returning back upstream to the original landing stage. The 45-minute cruise operates in the same area without going quite as far in either direction, passing through the center of the walled city. During the cruise, the captain will keep you entertained with live commentary about the sites you pass. Learn about York’s history of flooding and its prosperity as an inland port, as you sail along the river that brought the Romans and the Vikings to this site. You’ll sail on a vessel that features an enclosed and heated saloon, restrooms, and a fully stocked bar serving beers, wines, spirits, soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks.

Comedy Horror Show: York Ghost Bus Tour

2. Comedy Horror Show: York Ghost Bus Tour

Let the darker side of York's history send a chill down your spine as you discover the city’s dark and terrible secrets. Board the Necrobus and get ready to embark on a 75-minute theatrical sightseeing tour. Enjoy a comedy horror journey around York's seedier past as your creepy conductor shows you the sights from a classic 1960s Routemaster bus. The on-board actors and eerily decorated bus will ensure you have the spookiest ride in town. Learn about the sinister side of many of York's most famous landmarks including Clifford’s Tower, York Minster, and Dick Turpin's grave. Let your imagination run wild as you hear about the ghosts that reside within the medieval walls of one of England's spookiest cities.

Cambridge: Guided Punting Tour

3. Cambridge: Guided Punting Tour

Discover Cambridge University on a guided punting tour along the River Cam. Hear more about student life as you see some of the historic colleges of one of the world's most reputable universities. This punting tour covers the entire length of the River Cam, along which the colleges of Cambridge University are located. Soak up more than 800 years of history as you take in the historic sights. Relax in comfortable seats that feature traditional cushions and blankets. Enjoy interesting historic commentary from your punter, along with some amusing Cambridge punting stories. The 7 colleges featured on the tour boast some of the most illustrious and influential alumni to have graduated from Cambridge. Hear tales of student life, academic and social, from Isaac Newton to Prince Charles.

York: Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour

4. York: Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour

Get sorted, play quizzes and games, and experience some fantastic costumed re-enactments on this guided walking tour in York. Learn about the Harry Potter universe and history of York. See sights like Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Express platform. Set off on your journey around town, enjoying Harry Potter trivia quizzes from your guide along the way to earn points for your house. Stay engaged with an animated scoreboard, video clips of movie scenes, costume pieces, and reenactments. Have the chance to use your spell knowledge to outwit members of other houses. Marvel at locations, such as the fictional Diagon Alley, and the platform for the Hogwarts Express. Soak in the views from the city walls. Explore the fantastic Harry Potter shop and uncover some of York's hidden gems.

York: The York Dungeon Entry Ticket

5. York: The York Dungeon Entry Ticket

Journey through 2,000 years of York's eerie history with an entry ticket to the York Dungeon. Immerse yourself in the city's dark past with ten live shows and encounter unsettling historical characters as you stroll through specially-designed immersive sets. Start at the beginning as the dreaded Vikings invade and conquer York. Uncover the details of Guy Fawkes' infamous Gunpowder Plot and what really happened that November night. Step inside the carriage to the Knavesmire, where one of history's most notorious Highwaymen returned. Embark on a journey brimming with terrifying characters and feel a chill as you walk through immersive 360-degree sets with thrilling special effects. Learn about real events and people that shaped the city in a unique and exciting way.

Leeds: Emmerdale Village Set Guided Tour

6. Leeds: Emmerdale Village Set Guided Tour

Explore the stunning Emmerdale Village and visit the outdoor set where episodes of your favorite soap are brought to life. Home to the stars of Emmerdale during the week, this weekend tour gives you the chance to experience the drama for yourself. Due to the closed set location, your journey will start at The New Inn, Eccup Lane, Leeds, LS16 8AU. Board the tour bus and transfer to a secure area located within the Harewood Estate. Set off on a fully guided, outdoor walking tour and explore the village and the exterior sets of iconic locations from the TV show including The Woolpack, Café Main Street, David's Shop, and more. There will of course be plenty of time to take photos.

York: River Ouse Early Evening Cruise

7. York: River Ouse Early Evening Cruise

This 1-hour Early Evening Cruise is an entertaining and informative tour of historic York from the River Ouse. Enjoy the city from a different perspective as a friendly and knowledgeable team guides you leisurely up and downstream. During the cruise, the captain will keep you entertained with live commentary about the sites you pass. Learn about York’s history of flooding and its prosperity as an inland port, as you sail along the river that brought the Romans and the Vikings to this site. You’ll sail on a vessel that features an enclosed and heated saloon, rest rooms and a fully stocked bar serving beers, wines, spirits, soft drinks, hot drinks and snacks.

Cambridge: University Alumni Tour with Kings College Option

8. Cambridge: University Alumni Tour with Kings College Option

This Cambridge University and city tour introduces you to the crucial role of Cambridge in world history and highlights the city’s architectural wonders with entry to King’s College Chapel.  Start your tour from the city center and hear a brief timeline of all the interesting and peculiar things that makes Cambridge famous. Head to the city's oldest church, college, and the laboratory which has hosted important scientific milestones. Visit landmarks like the Mathematical Bridge at Queens' College and the Senate House.  The highlight of this tour is the stunning King's College Chapel. Home to the largest fan vaulted ceiling in the world, admire its majestic stained glass windows, and a Rubens painting. Learn about the chapel's long architectural history and relationship to former kings and queens.  During the tour, your student guide will share their experiences of the college system, tell you about the rowing frenzy at Cambridge, and let you into local secrets such as the protective measure some colleges take against the Night Climbers.

York: Witches and History Old Town Walking Tour

9. York: Witches and History Old Town Walking Tour

Join a characterful witch-guide to discover York's history and unearth the secrets of the Shambles on a walking tour, with the option to participate in potion-making. Tread lightly as you walk through York Minster, Petergate, and Stonegate—the very grounds on which these mysterious events occurred. Meet your guide and begin your walking tour. Hear historical tales and legends that focus on witchcraft. Explore the Shambles, as you step back in time and discover the unpleasant origins of this now picturesque street. Watch out on the cobbles as you lend your ear to terrible tales of the witches of Yorkshire. Start your tour at Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate, the smallest street with possibly the longest name in York. It is said the name means "What a street." Then, view the remains of the St Crux Church, originally the largest medieval parish church in York. Continue to King's Square, learning more about the area and hearing the tale of the magical tree with a witchy connection. Next, follow your guide through the old quarter of York, the Minster Quarter, where you pass the vibrant shopping area of the city. Stroll through Low Petergate and High Petergate and listen in awe at the fascinating and chilling stories of the past. Marvel at the grandeur of the world's most magnificent and iconic cathedrals, York Minster. Right opposite that, see the St Michael Le Belfrey Church. Hear some more spooky and witchery tales and a name that might spark some recognition. Gaze at the architecture of medieval buildings, gorgeous Georgian townhouses, and other period styles in Stonegate, one of York's most historic roads. Discover the alleys, ginnels, and snickets of the city and walk through York's longest snickelway (narrow alleys running between York's streets). Feel the chills in the air in the hidden courtyard of Barley Hall. Back to where it all began, this spellbinding old town walking tour lets you discover the wicked history of medieval York.

York: Self-Steer Boat Rental

10. York: Self-Steer Boat Rental

Enjoy a leisurely one hour hire, exploring York from the helm of your own self-steer motorboat. Become a captain and explore the sites of York’s riverside in style. Your private boat can accommodate up to 8 people and will provide plenty of room for you all to head out on your own aquatic adventure, exploring the same river that brought the Vikings to this beautiful city. You will receive full instructions on how to operate your motor boat along with safety and river rules, whilst life jackets will be provided for any children. Your boat operating area is along a route that will along you to take in the whole city from the river within the one hour. Additionally, on a half hour hire you can operate within this area and will be able to take in most of the built up section of the Ouse, or make your way down stream to the Millennium Bridge and back to the moorings again. Please note that the boats cannot be taken past Clifton Bridge or the Millennium Bridge. You are not allowed to moor the boat up and disembark at any point on the river other than at the at King’s Staith (where your hire first began).

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What people are saying about East Midlands

My uni tour was led by Joe, it was a good experience getting to know the lesser known facts, fun stories and history of the various places we visited as part of the tour. I would suggest everyone to go for a guided tour around the city by a student who will have such detailed information of the places and give you a sneak peek of the student life.

Highly recommend this tour, guide was great and enjoyed the commentary. Tour gives context to the buildings and bring the Cambridge university story to life. We were late and thought we would miss the tour altogether but the office staff were very accommodating allowing us to catch up with the group. Great customer service.

Brilliant tour from start to finish. Tour guide was very knowledgeable about the subject and history. My daughter & I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend to others.

Very informative with a lovely interactive tour and a few cheeky tasters along the way

Great tour from Francesco ,knowledgeable & entertaining.