Highwayman Tours
Explore Yorkshire's Castles, Coastlines, and Hidden Lanes on Your Own Private Tour
Ditch the crowded tour buses and unpredictable car rentals—it's time to experience God’s Own County properly. Highwayman Tours offers premium, completely private driven day trips departing directly from York. Catering to intimate groups of one to four guests, these curated journeys escape the standard tourist traps to guide you through the rolling North York Moors, dramatic coastal cliffs, and forgotten abbey ruins. Led by a highly knowledgeable local driver-guide, it feels less like a rigid sightseeing excursion and more like an unforgettable road trip with an expert friend.
Private Guided Tour Options
- Abbeys, Ruins & Reformation Tour: Discover the hauntingly beautiful ruins of Rievaulx Abbey and Byland Abbey while uncovering the dramatic stories of Yorkshire's monastic past.
- The Infamous Highwayman: Brave the darkness as you cross paths with York's legendary rogue, Dick Turpin.
- Castles, Coasts & Gothic Legends Tour: Journey through the wild North York Moors to the dramatic clifftops of Whitby, exploring ancient coastal fortresses along the way.
- The Brontë Country & Literary Yorkshire Tour: Walk in the footsteps of literary royalty with a private trip to the brooding, atmospheric moors of Haworth and the Brontë Parsonage.
- Yorkshire Dales, Falls & Market Towns: Travel through the softer side of the Yorkshire Dales, with village streets, riverside falls, dramatic rock formations and market-town charm.
- Yorkshire Icons: See some of Yorkshire’s best-known places in one private day from York, with time for views, photos, local stories and a route shaped around your pace.
What To Expect
- Completely Private & Flexible: No strangers joining your car, no shared timetables, and no scripted narration shouted over a crowd. The day moves entirely at your group's preferred pace.
- The Infamous Highwayman: Brave the darkness as you cross paths with York's legendary rogue, Dick Turpin.
- Comfort on the Road: Travel down Yorkshire's quietest scenic shortcuts in a comfortable private vehicle. The team even has you covered for unpredictable northern weather, providing complimentary bottled water, umbrellas, and emergency ponchos.
- Bespoke Adventures: Have a specific Yorkshire landmark, family heritage site, or quiet village pub you've been dying to see? Highwayman Tours happily builds completely custom routes tailored to your exact wishlist.
Photo Gallery
Plan Your Tour
Quick Info
- 📍 Starting Point: York Pick-up Included
- ⏱️ Duration: Full Day (Approx. 8 Hours)
- 💰 Cost Rating: £££ (Premium Private Group)
- 👥 Group Capacity: Strict Max of 4 Guests
What's Included
- 🚗 Transport: Executive vehicle with a dedicated local driver-guide.
- 🌦️ Weather Prep: Umbrellas, rain ponchos, and chilled bottled water provided.
- 🎟️ Exclusions: Lunch and separate attraction entry tickets (like Whitby Abbey) are paid locally.
Accessibility & Pacing
- ♿ Luggage space is available for folding manual wheelchairs or walking aids (contact in advance).
- 🚶♂️ Routes are highly customizable with varying levels of physical walking required depending on your preferences.
- 💬 Highly recommended for travelers wanting a relaxed tour with zero rushed meeting times.
Pick-Up & Tour Practicalities
Because this is a completely private driven experience, starting your day out couldn't be more seamless.
🏨 Doorstep Pick-Up
Your driver picks you up directly from your location. This includes any York city centre hotel, holiday rental, or suburban address.
🚆 Arriving by Rail
Day-tripping into York? The tour can comfortably coordinate to collect your group directly from the main station entrance as your train arrives.
🗺️ Perfect Drop-Off
Finish your day right back at your hotel, or ask to be dropped off outside a top York restaurant or pub to conclude your evening.