We are Uncomfortable York , a non-profit research organisation dedicated to diversifying history. We collaborate with academic researchers to uncover stories in the archives that challenge traditional narratives and highlight under-represented histories. We offer tours, talks, and special events — get in touch to learn more.

Join us for an insightful tour of York, visiting its most iconic sites while uncovering the city’s diverse history.

On the Unconventional York™ tour, you will go beyond traditional narratives to explore the lives and legacies of women, people of colour, and LGBTQIA+ individuals connected to York’s past.

This experience invites you to look beyond the stone façades and discover lesser-known histories woven through the medieval city. As you walk through York’s beautiful centre, you will encounter stories of early settlement, medieval expansion, and the city’s deep industrial heritage.

Researched and written by academic historians from the University of Oxford and delivered by trained researchers from the University of York, the tour asks thought-provoking questions that reveal York not simply as a small English city, but as a vibrant international urban centre shaped by global connections.

Come curious, leave informed.