York - Haunted Streets

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Detective Mystery around York’s haunted streets, with Detectives helping ghostly Paul de Geist uncover who was responsible for his unfinished business, so he can finally stop moaning through the city every evening.

The case covers approximately 2 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You’ll follow clues from the Golden Fleece on Pavement, through Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate, Goodramgate, Bedern, Ogleforth, Chapter House Street, York Minster, Stonegate, Finkle Street, St Sampson’s Square, Coney Street, Clifford Street, Castlegate and Coppergate.

This Trail is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The route is flat with good terrain, so normal walking shoes should be fine. You’ll still need to take care around busy streets, road crossings, narrow lanes, crowds and any sudden ghostly theatrics.

Getting There

Time to gather your squad and begin this supernatural investigation:

By car - The nearest car park to the start is Piccadilly car park (YO1 9NX).

The case begins outside the Golden Fleece pub at 16 Pavement (YO1 9UP), so make your way there with notebooks, magnifying glasses and nerves of polished steel.

By public transport - Make your way into York city centre, or arrive undercover via Park & Ride, then head for the Golden Fleece on Pavement to begin the investigation.

Need the Loo?

Even the bravest Ghost Hunters need a comfort break before tackling a full-scale boo-hoo situation. Toilets can be found at St Leonard’s Place near Clue 10, and in Coppergate Shopping Centre after Clue 18.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Detectives can join the outdoor investigation 🐾

This route includes busy city streets, narrow lanes, pedestrian areas, road crossings and plenty of tempting sniff-zones. Keep canine colleagues close throughout, especially around traffic, crowds and tighter passages. Any dog barking at thin air may, in York, have a perfectly reasonable point.

Food & Drink Stops

Ghost-hunting on an empty stomach is a rookie error.

You’ll pass plenty of shops and cafes along the route, with York’s centre offering lots of places to grab snacks, drinks or a proper sit-down refuel. The Golden Fleece start point also gives the case a suitably spooky launch pad if your squad wants refreshments before or after the investigation.

Want to Make a Day of It?

York Minster

York Minster is the grandest extra on this investigation. The route circles close by, so it’s an ideal chance to extend your day with a proper visit, explore the building more fully or simply pause outside and admire one of York’s mighty landmarks.

Treasurer’s House

Treasurer’s House earns its place here thanks to one of York’s spookiest tales. In 1953, an apprentice plumber working in the cellar reportedly saw Roman soldiers emerging through the wall. A splendidly eerie add-on for Detectives who enjoy their history with goosebumps.

The Golden Fleece

Your case begins outside the Golden Fleece, described here as York’s most haunted pub. It makes a fitting stop before or after the Trail, especially for squads who want to soak up more ghostly atmosphere while keeping one eye on the upper windows.

Roman Bath Pub

The Roman Bath pub adds another odd little York extra, with reports of phantom bathers splashing about. If your Detectives fancy continuing the haunted theme, it’s a suitably strange stop to investigate once Paul de Geist’s racket has been sorted.

Coppergate Shopping Centre

Coppergate is handy near the end of the route, with toilets and city-centre facilities close by. It’s a useful practical add-on if your squad wants to browse, grab food or gently recover after being menaced by York’s unusually busy ghost population.