Days Out and Tours
Castle Howard, Abbeys & North Yorkshire
Prices From £299.00
About Us
Spend an unhurried day among some of North Yorkshire’s finest historic places on a private driven tour from York, with your own local driver-guide and a vehicle just for your group of up to four guests.
The day begins at Castle Howard, where you can explore the house, gardens and wider estate. Next comes the market town of Helmsley for lunch, a coffee or a wander, followed by the Cistercian ruins of Rievaulx Abbey in the Rye valley below the North York Moors. The final stop is Byland Abbey, known for the dramatic remains of its great west front, before the drive back to York.
The tour lasts around six hours from pick-up to drop-off, with time for photographs, lunch and plenty of local stories along the way. Timings may shift a little with opening hours, traffic and weather.
Good to know
- Private tour for up to four guests – no strangers, no coach.
- Pick-up and return from your York hotel, accommodation or an agreed York-area meeting point.
- Admission to Castle Howard, Rievaulx Abbey and other attractions is not included, nor are food and drink.
- If anyone in your group has mobility or access needs, please get in touch before booking so the day can be planned around them.
Book online through the Highwayman Tours website for instant confirmation, or get in touch to ask a question first.
Location
Frequently asked questions
- How long is the tour?
Abbeys, Ruins & Reformation is a 6-hour private driven tour from York, with around 2 hours of travel time across the route.
- How many people can join?
This is a private tour for up to four passengers
- Where does the tour start?
Pick-up is from York at an agreed location. This can include hotels, guest houses, holiday lets, Airbnb accommodation, York railway station, car parks or another suitable meeting point.
Some city centre streets have access restrictions, so the exact pick-up point may be adjusted to a nearby safe and convenient place. If you are staying outside York, please contact Highwayman Tours before booking.- Which places are included?
The route includes York Minster, Byland Abbey, Coxwold, the Kilburn White Horse, Rievaulx Abbey, Helmsley and Clifford’s Tower.
- Are attraction entry fees included?
Entry fees are not included. Many sites can be enjoyed from the exterior, and some places may be free to visit. Others may require admission depending on the attraction, season, visitor type and how tickets are booked.
- Do we have to go inside every attraction?
No. The tour is flexible. Some guests prefer exterior views, photos, short walks and stories from the route, while others may choose to go inside selected sites.
- Is this a guided walking tour?
No. This is a private driven tour from York, with stops along the way. There will be time to step out, explore, take photos and hear the stories behind the places visited.
Is the tour suitable in bad weather?- Is the tour suitable in bad weather?
Yes. The route works well in most weather, although some stops are outdoors. Please dress for the Yorkshire weather and wear suitable footwear.
- Can the route be adapted?
Yes, where time and opening conditions allow. Highwayman Tours specialises in flexible private driven tours, so the day can be adjusted to suit your interests.
- Where can I book?
Bookings can be made directly through the Highwayman Tours website, with selected experiences also available through Airbnb. Visitors are welcome to read our excellent Google and Airbnb reviews before booking.
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