Festive 90 Minute daily Walking Tours through the twinkling streets of York

According to one 19th-century historian,  over 1,500 years ago, in AD 521, King Arthur and his retinue celebrated Christmas in the city of York 'not by holy conversion and devout exercises,' as he wrote reprovingly, 'but in the spirit of heathen revelry; with feasting and mirth; in wantonness and many excesses... this was the first ever Christmas festival held in Britain’ 

According to one 19th-century historian,  over 1,500 years ago, in AD 521, King Arthur and his retinue celebrated Christmas in the city of York 'not by holy conversion and devout exercises,' as he wrote reprovingly, 'but in the spirit of heathen revelry; with feasting and mirth; in wantonness and many excesses... this was the first ever Christmas festival held in Britain’  

If this is true then York is THE original Christmas City. If not, then York has still witnessed two millennia of Mid-Winter festivities in the guises of Solstice, Saturnalia, Yule and of course Christmas! They have all left their mark on our celebrations today.

Join Blue Badge Tourist Guide,  Sarah Cowling, and discover the History of Christmas in an extra-special walking tour through the twinkling streets of York. Once voted ‘the most festive’ city, the medieval heart echoes with the voices of Christmas past.

Wrap up toasty warm,  as the smell of roasting chestnuts and the sound of carols drift on the crisp evening air. Plus,  who knows? - we might even pass a takeaway mulled wine stand!

‘…….a fun and lovely insight into the history of Christmas and York……’

Join Sarah to celebrate Christmas 2022 full of the Yorkshire Christmas Spirit

Each walk costs £12 per person and departs from the Statue of Constantine, Minster Yard. The walks will  run from 17^th November  until  24^th December at 4pm. Later tours are available on selected dates. Private tours for work groups, families, friends available to book  (www.yorkchristmaswalkingtour.co.uk)