The 9 Dark History and Haunted Tours in the UK That Earn Their Price

1.Old Town Historical and Underground Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,574 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $27Our pick

Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with a guide such as Holly, Chihon, Emily, or James, then enter the Niddry Wynd and South Bridge vaults. This relaxed 90-minute tour covers Canongate Kirkyard, old streets, city stories, and overlooked chapters of Scottish history. Expect a small group of no more than six, stairs, uneven ground, and plenty of time for questions.

“Great tour, full of very interesting history of old Edinburgh. Lovely guide, clear, packed a lot in, gave us information that we hadn’t known before, despite being relatively local. Vaults fascinating - who lived in them, drinking dens etc. Also city walls, how Edinburgh grew and evolved as a city. Highly recommend!”

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2.Shadows of York: Ghost Walk and Horrible History.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,403 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $18Best value

Meet at the Guy Fawkes Inn at 6:30 pm for a 90-minute walk through York’s darker corners. Guides such as Dan, Josh, and Mackenzie use theatrical storytelling, gallows humor, and local tales to bring the city’s ghosts and grim past to life. The route passes outside the Minster and finishes near the Shambles.

“Knowledgeable guide. Saw parts of York I had not experience. Stories were interesting. If you want a fun evening book it.”

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3.Edinburgh: Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,290 reviews · 1h 15m · from $24

Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with a character guide such as Hazel, Juniper, or Angelica, hearing respectful stories of accused witches, haunted closes, and public executions. The 75-minute English tour starts near St. Giles’ Cathedral and ends in Grassmarket. Expect outdoor walking, stairs, weather, humor, and a serious look at Scotland’s witch trials.

“Witch Hazel was our guide for this tour and it didn’t disappoint. This lady has a wealth of information, and provided us with so much insight into the witch trials of Edinburgh and North Berwick in a lighthearted but heartfelt manner. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone who wishes to explore Edinburgh’s deeper past, points of interest and has a real interest in the witch trials”

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4.York: Witches and History Old Town Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 928 reviews · 1h 15m · from $22

Follow a costumed witch guide such as Cornelius Piper, Magnificent Merlot, Willow, or Nutmeg through York’s old town. In 75 minutes, you’ll hear true stories about Mad Alice, Mary Bateman, and other suspected witches while walking from Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate past the Shambles, York Minster, Stonegate, and Barley Hall.

“Really lovely tour let by cornelius who was very friendly and informative”

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5.Edinburgh – Dark History

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 814 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $22

Follow the Royal Mile from West Parliament Square to Canongate Kirk with guides such as Robert, James, Joe, Kieran, and Lydia. Expect a lively two-hour walk through Edinburgh’s darker past, including executions, plague, body snatching, old prisons, graves, and the city’s strange customs. This is historical storytelling, not a traditional ghost tour.

“The guide Chris was very knowledgeable and added some humour which made the tour a must do experience”

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6.York Witches and History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 410 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $23

Follow a costumed witch through York from Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate to the Shambles. You’ll hear stories about witches, strange local customs, magical trees, cats, rats, and York Minster. Guides such as Nix, Merlot, Willow, and Cornelius keep the walk playful and interactive. It suits families and adults who want history with a theatrical twist.

“My Mum and I loved the tour with Nix. Very informative and entertaining, we very much recommend it. I loved how Nix responded and reacted to other passers by and how she parted the crowds with her broom!”

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7.Liverpool: Haunted History Guided City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 404 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $26

Join Shiverpool guides for a 90-minute theatrical walk from the Philharmonic Dining Rooms along Hope Street. Expect dark Liverpool history, two cathedrals, ghost stories, coffins, personalized headstones, and tales of John Lennon, Hitler’s brother, the plague, and St James’ Gardens. Guides may appear as characters such as Chilla Black or Indiana Bones.

“Absolutely amazing both guides smashed it!! brought it all to life and when we encountered and unfortunate member of the public, both handled what could have become a very difficult situation with such professionalism and ensured the safety of everyone on the tour. didn't let it disrupt the group did a fantastic job. really good mix of people made it very enjoyable. would definitely recommend!! very informative”

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8.Edinburgh: Dark History Royal Mile Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 271 reviews · 2 hours · from $20

Walk from St. Giles Cathedral through Edinburgh’s Old Town and Canongate with an English-speaking guide. Expect factual tales of murder, theft, witch trials, plague, executions, and the city’s infamous graveyards. Guides including Robert, James, Lydia, Kieran, and Callum bring the stories to life with humor, poetry, and careful respect for the dead.

“Robert was an incredible guide. very knowledgeable, brought great energy, very friendly. The tour had an amazing collection of dark history stories, was really respectful of the dead (witches names etc.) and included some well recited poetry from Robert Ferguson. Loved it!”

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9.Edinburgh’s Dark History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 55 reviews · 1h 30m · from $21

Join Rob for a 90-minute English walking tour through Edinburgh’s Old Town. Start at Greyfriars Graveyard, then follow tales of witches, criminals, executions, plague, Burke and Hare, and Harry Potter connections toward Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. A digital guide is available in English, French, Spanish, and Italian.

“Rob was a fantastic guide! He was very friendly and full of background knowledge. The tour was fun, informative, and he also gave us some great tips for exploring Edinburgh further. Highly recommended!”

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