The Bloody Tour of York

02/09/2024

Great Fire of London

In the early hours of 2nd September 1666, whilst the people of London slept, a bakery on pudding lane, owned by Thomas Faryner (Farriner), a spark would start one of the most devastating conflagrations in British history.

Destroying 13,200 homes, 87 parish churches, The Royal Exchange, Guildhall and St Paul’s Cathdral - 436 acres around four-fifths of the city within the old city walls.

Amazingly only 6 people are reported to have lost their lives in the fire. Over 100,000 Londoners were left homeless with life as they knew it left in ashes.

The fire ravaged London for 4 days. Finally ending on Wednesday 5th September 1666.

01/09/2024

Superstition Sunday

So many superstitions date wayyyyy back and often have a smidge of bloody history behind them! So, if you fancy learning abit more about a superstition you may also have check back every Sunday!

Walking Under A Ladder

We have all probably heard of this one… but why should you avoid walking under a ladder - common sense says incase the ladder falls or the person on the ladder drops something. Well, both valid but what about this…

The superstition dates back to medieval times the ladder was used when the accused, sentenced to be hanged at the gallows would climb the ladder before meeting their grisly end - the connection to the gallows made ladders and walking under them bad luck.

Let’s not stop there… Christians also had their own theory which relates to the Holy Trinity. A ladder leaning against a wall creates a triangle - so if you walked under the ladder you would be breaking the triangle therefore destroying the sanctity of the Trinity which would lead to bad luck and punishment and meaning you were as bad as the devil… abit harsh.

So, there you go - if this wasn’t one of your superstitions before, maybe it should be 🪜

31/08/2024

Last weekend of the summer holidays!

Parents, get yourself a nice cold alcoholic drink and cheers yourself. You did it 🍻

was looking lovely in the summer sun today. Here is Monk Bar soaking up those rays ☀️

26/08/2024

Safe to say it has been busy this weekend in York! Hope you all had a good bank holiday.

The news we have been waiting for… the w***h is back from her holiday and tours will be resuming TOMORROW!! Phew.

It’s the last week of the summer holidays so book that one final treat.

Tickets - www.thebloodytourofyork.co.uk

22/08/2024

On this Day

22nd August 1572 - Thomas Percy was beheaded right here in York!

21/08/2024

𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝

Mad Alice is now on holiday!
Tours will resume on Tuesday 27th August.

Until then, no calls will be answered and emails may be glanced at in-between margaritas! I wouldn’t hold your breath on this one though!

Totally 100% real photo of Mad Alice on holiday*

*not really

17/08/2024

Abit of Saturday fun for all of the cool kids staying in tonight!

“You are going ghost hunting and you can only choose one item to take with you. Go!”

Mad Alice is dead inside so probably wouldn’t be seeing any ghosts… so gin has got to be the answer.

13/08/2024

How to make a W***h happy! Massive shout out to regular tour visitor Marcus who is staying with my wonderful friends at No 21 York who brought me some freshly baked goods baked by No 21 York ...THANK YOU so much!! That was very sweet of you..yes I did eat some of it in front of visitors on the 8pm tour!

13/08/2024

It’s not very often you can catch this shot in daylight without people around.

With the Shambles having so many different styles of buildings… do you have a favourite? Which business do you think has hit the jackpot with their building!

Share below ⬇️

10/08/2024

Well Mad Alice has been busy! Not just with tours, sometimes the back office side of things need abit of love too… However boring it is 😂

Back to the streets tonight with the 6pm and 8pm tours and it’s a bloody warm day for it! Limited tickets remaining for tonight if you fancy spending your evening with a w***h!

See you tonight!!

06/08/2024

EXCITING NEWS

Not one… but two new tours from Mad Alice! We can’t have the w***h being bored now can we?!

Mad Alice’s Bloody Ex*****on Tour
Details
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
10am - 11:15am

The Bloody Tour of the York Walls
Sundays
10am - 12pm

For more details use the link in the comments - any issues drop us a message and we can help you out!

Visit York Indie York

05/08/2024

The pressing to death of a saint. Saint Margaret Clitherow, the Pearl of York.

04/08/2024

Georgian Festival 2024 over and out!

Thank you so much to everyone who joined the Georgian Rogues Gallery Tour over the past 4 days, it has been great fun focusing on some dark Georgian history and taking you on a different tour around York.

Already looking forward to next year!

03/08/2024

The Georgian Festival is in full swing with only today and tomorrow left!!

That means 3 chances to see Mad Alice. Tickets available for all three tours today.

4pm - 5:15pm - Georgian Rogues Gallery Tour
6pm-7:30pm - The Bloody Tour of York
8pm - 9:30pm - The Bloody Tour of York

Book now - www.thebloodytourofyork.co.uk

02/08/2024

“I wish I was this tall”

01/08/2024

Happy Yorkshire Day

Share below your favourite place to visit in Yorkshire… bonus points if you share a gruesome historical story to go with it!

31/07/2024

I may or may not be getting drunk....all in the name of entertainment!
York Mansion House Visit York Impossible - York

AN EVENING WITH MAD ALICE & YORK GIN

Join York’s top tour guide Mad Alice and York Gin for an evening of fascinating history and delicious gin tasting.

Where: In the beautiful Terry’s boardroom at Impossible - York (opposite Betty’s).

When: From 7pm on Thursday 1st August.

Book: https://yorkgin.com/georgian

The Bloody Tour of York

30/07/2024

Well this is exciting!

Mad Alice and Pairings Wine Bar have teamed up to bring you a horribly good offer! We love to collaborate with independent businesses and other than the obvious love for gin, Mad Alice can polish off a wine or two, so can often be found at Pairings Wine Bar! Pairings also serve the BEST sharing boards! Just look!!

Best thing is that the tour ends very close to Pairings so you don’t have far to walk!

To get this offer you have to quote “One for the road” when you ask for your bill.

Offer runs Sunday - Thursday and is valid all day.

Indie York

28/07/2024

Shambles from above!

Wondering if you should do the tour… is it all it’s hyped up to be… I mean we think so! Let’s see what YOU think, here is a review from lastnight:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - TripAdvisor, Shelley M

“Outstanding - what an informative engaging experience. It’s had been a long day in York but Mad Alice and her charisma and knowledge made the tour a wonderful experience to end the day on! Highly recommend”

Book here - www.thebloodytourofyork.co.uk

26/07/2024

Throughout history there have been some odd deaths… take our friend Sigurd Eysteinsson died from a graze on his leg caused by the teeth of the severed head he kept as a trophy… but this one might just top the list…

Death by drowning in a cesspool?

The Erfurt Latrine Disaster of 1184 saw a large group of nobles gather in a church in the city of Erfurt in Germany. Meeting to likely settle a dispute about land, the meeting got underway.

The floor collapsed under the weight of the men and well you couldn’t write it… nearly all of the noblemen plummeted into the cesspool below! It is reported that 60 men were killed, whether that be from the fall or drowning in the excrement. It is likely to be a mix of the two.

So yeah… hope you have already eaten your dinner!

24/07/2024

Want to join Mad Alice and the lovely guys of York Gin for an evening of Georgian history and gin tasting at the fabulous Impossible - York…

📆 - August 1st
🕰️ - 7:00pm - 8:45pm
📍 - Impossible York

There is still time to book your tickets!

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/yorkgin

York Mansion House

21/07/2024

This is going to be good bloody fun!

19/07/2024

The Duel of Gray’s Court



Grays Court Hotel & The Bow Room Restaurant

18/07/2024

𝓨𝓸𝓻𝓴 𝓖𝓮𝓸𝓻𝓰𝓲𝓪𝓷 𝓕𝓮𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓿𝓪𝓵

Only 2 weeks to go!! Saturday 3rd is already looking busy! Remember this tour is only running as part of the York Georgian Festival | 1st - 4th August.

This tour starts at 4pm outside York Gin on Pavement. With stories of highwaymen and witches this tour is perfect for the whole family!

Book your tickets now 🎟️

15/07/2024

I ❤️ York

Shambles, when caught at night when no-one else is around just looks like a film set!

Worth waiting up for trust me.

12/07/2024

! I am here, Currently contemplating life's decisions sat on 'The Mayor’s Chair' on Steep Hill...and they aren't kidding.
What should I do whilst I'm here...on my way to see the 'Imp'..

10/07/2024

🚨 CUSTOMER ANNOUNCEMENT🚨

No Tours

Friday 12th July
Saturday 13th July

Mad Alice will be as far away from York and the races as possible!

Well, they had to ruin them didn’t they! You know back in the day, where the racecourse is now was the site of the York Tyburn and here they would hold gala days. Great fun for the whole family! A few hangings, merchants selling their wares and even pamphlets could be bought as a souvenir … and the gin… so much gin.

Anyway, until the hangings return we will not be a part of any of it!

Still got tours tomorrow night and Sunday night

www.thebloodytourofyork.co.uk

09/07/2024

Today marks the 40th Anniversary of the devastating York Minster Fire.

If you get the chance check out the Out of the Ashes exhibition at York Minster - on now. It is fascinating insight into the event and the aftermath of rebuilding a beautiful 15th Cathedral.

Keep watching to see our friend Mr Fox casually stroll by 🦊

07/07/2024

Tickets are selling fast!

Don’t be a fool and miss out. If you have joined Mad Alice for a tour before trust me, you will be blown away by this one!

New stories and York history explored, even a new starting point! Oh yes, this tour starts at our favourite Georgian building in York….. the York Gin shop on Pavement.

Check the comments for booking 🎟️

06/07/2024

SELL OUT tour on Thursday so don’t miss out tonight! Save yourself the pain of watching the England match today…

Don’t just take our word for it!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Tonya Ferrara, Google Review

“Fabulous, fun and informative! Would give the tour 10 out of 5 stars if I could. The absolute best! HIGHLY recommend taking any of Mad Alice's tours.”

Look forward to seeing you!