York has a well-developed ghost-tour industry, with several competing operators running evening walks through the city's streets and explaining the various hauntings associated with medieval buildings. The Original Ghost Walk of York has been operating since 1973 and claims to be the world's first purpose-built ghost tour. Others have followed. The tours leave from various points around the city in the evening and last between one and two hours.
The quality and tone vary between operators: some lean heavily on theatrical jumps and actors, others are more focused on actual local history and folklore. The York Dungeon does a theatrical indoor version. For visitors who want to understand the city's dark history — the 1190 massacre, the Civil War, the medieval plagues — the better ghost tours provide a genuine introduction to events that museum displays cover more sedately. The tours operate year-round; booking ahead is recommended in summer and around Halloween.