Private Tours from York with a Local Driver-Guide

Your local driver-guide in York

I’m Kes, owner and driver-guide at Highwayman Tours. I came to York for university and, more than 25 years later, I’m still here. I grew up in West Yorkshire, so Yorkshire has been home for a long time.

I started Highwayman Tours because I didn’t want to run coach trips or repeat the same script every day. I wanted to offer the sort of day I’d enjoy myself: a good route, interesting places, time to stop, and a bit of room to change plans if something catches your eye.

That’s what our York tours are about. Not a big group being hurried from one stop to the next, but a private driven day with a local guide who knows the roads and the places along them.

Collected from your York hotel

If you’re staying in York, the day can start from your hotel or accommodation, or another agreed pickup point in the city. On a day tour, I bring you back to York at the end.

The vehicle is for your group alone, with space for up to four guests. No coach departure point to find, no hire car to arrange, and no parking in York to worry about. Just your group and a private driver-guide.

Our tours are priced for the whole group, not per person. You can browse the current tours and booking details to see the available routes and what each one includes.

See York, then discover what lies beyond it

York deserves time on foot. You can explore the city centre at your own pace, then use a day of your stay to see some of the wider county that’s harder to reach without a car.

I don’t run scheduled walking tours of York city centre. My work is taking you out from York on private driven tours: into the countryside, to historic sites and villages, and along the roads between them. You can enjoy the city and still get a feel for Yorkshire beyond its walls.

York Beyond the Walls: a shorter countryside trip

Not every visit has room for a full day out. York Beyond the Walls is a four-hour private tour for up to four guests, priced at £199 for the whole group. The route takes in Easingwold, Crayke, Byland Abbey and the Kilburn White Horse, before returning to York.

It’s a handy option if you want to fit countryside into a shorter stay or keep part of the day free for the city. Entrance fees and personal purchases are separate. You can read more about York Beyond the Walls.

Further afield from York

There’s plenty of Yorkshire to explore from the city. Our routes include Whitby and the North York Moors, with a heritage railway option; the Yorkshire Dales; Castle Howard and nearby abbeys; and Haworth and Brontë Country.

The farther you travel, the more time you’ll spend in the car. That’s worth bearing in mind when you’re planning your day. I’m happy to talk through what’s realistic for your interests and the time you have, rather than trying to squeeze in every stop.

Planning a private tour around your stay

You can choose an established itinerary or get in touch to discuss a bespoke day. A route can be flexible, but it still needs to make sense for the distance and time available. If you have particular interests, a preferred pace or somewhere you’ve been hoping to visit, tell me and we can talk it through.

It’s sensible to book ahead, especially if you have a particular date in mind. We cannot promise every date will be free, but it’s always worth asking. If you have mobility needs, please mention them before booking. Some stops involve uneven ground or steps, and not every place is fully accessible; I can help you understand what to expect on a proposed route.

A few questions you might have

Where do you collect guests?
From your York hotel or accommodation, or another agreed pickup point in York. Day tours return to York.

How many people can come?
Each booking is private for one group of up to four guests.

Can I ask for a bespoke route?
Yes. Tell me what you’re interested in and how much time you have, and I’ll let you know what could work.

Is the price per person?
No. The stated tour price is for the whole private group. Any separate attraction charges or other exclusions are shown in the tour details.

York makes a good base, and you don’t need to choose between enjoying the city and seeing more of Yorkshire. You can browse our private tours from York or contact me to ask about a date or route.

I’d be glad to help you plan a proper day out.

Kes
Owner and driver-guide, Highwayman Tours