A sign on the floor of an old brick room. It reads 'Dungeon Lates, Adults Only'. You will see this when you experience York Dungeon lates

Experiencing York Dungeon Lates

15th March 2025 - New Experience Number 7.

Jump to 'Try it yourself'

Whilst the city I live in is stunningly beautiful, it does have a horrible history, and experiencing York Dungeon Lates unveils some of our rambunctious rogues.

I’ve previously been to York Dungeons twice before, and each time we hadn’t made it to the end as people in our party had been too scared to finish the tour. And that was in the day time! 

I decided to visit York Dungeon Lates as one of my 52 new things in 2025. Would this be third time lucky, or would the later, after-hours experience be a step too far?

York Dungeons

I hadn’t been to York dungeon for well over 15 years. It’s not the sort of place you make frequent visits to. When you’ve been once, you’ve kind of experienced it all, unless they make considerable changes to the exhibits.

When I spotted that they were offering late tours for adults only, it piqued my interest. The Other Half was away for the weekend, and it was a bit last minute to see if anyone was free to join me. I didn’t let that stop me from going. Infact, I thought it might make it even scarier if I was on my own.

Having been before, I had some idea of what to expect, and I knew there would be audience participation. I really didn’t relish the idea of being the only person on a tour. It could have been extremely awkward if it was just me and the actors, so I did contact them before I booked to check I wouldn’t be alone. 

Exterior of a grand brick building which is home to York Dungeon. It is daytime and the attraction is not yet open.
The impressive building doesn't look too scary in the day time.

Sorry There Aren’t Many Pictures

Photography is understandably not allowed inside the dungeons, (the creeps and cretins in there don’t like them), which is why there are limited pictures in this write-up. 

They did, however, encourage us to have pictures with props before the tour began, and there were a couple of pictures taken of us mid-fright in the actual dungeon. These were hilarious and available to buy at the end.

And So It Begins - Experiencing York Dungeon Lates

Joining a couple in the dimly lit waiting area, I said hello and perched next to them. Another couple arrived, and they pointed out a recess in the wall behind me.

Nerves already starting to creep in, I siddled up to the couple on my bench, just in case the tour began with someone leaping out. We patiently watched the repeating video until out tour started. 

Plunged into pitch darkness, it began.

Outside shot of the entrance to the York Dungeon at night time.
A scary welcome awaits at York Dungeon Lates

Meeting The Unpleasant Characters

The five of us wound our way through the darkened corridors, stopping at 10 themed areas where we were immersed into different dastardly times of dread, each hosted by a hateful host.

Our stops included; visiting the vicious vikings; a putrid plague house with the Doctor’s unhinged assistant; making contact with the awful after life at a terrifying seance; standing before the unstable judge in the courtroom of chaos; meeting the terrifying torturer of York castle who was keen to show us his depraved tools of the trade.

Whilst Isabella Billington denied being a witch, her sinister behaviour didn’t help us to believe her pleas of innocence.

Taking a seat on the stage coach carriage, our final journey was frought with fear as the impending doom of a drop-in from an infamous highway man seemed inevitable.

Immersively Excellent Evil Experience

Combining special effects, stages and scenes, it’s the actors that really make the event. The cursed cast are brilliant at creating an atmosphere that is both nerve wracking and hilarious.

Building tension, making us jump, and involving us in their macabre madness, audience participation is a key part of the tours. We were all chosen at random to partake in the scenes as they unfolded.

If this would be a deal breaker for you, and the thought of having to be actively involved makes you feel too weak at the knees to even book onto a tour, then don’t worry, you can always speak to the admissions team who can make sure you can still join the tour without having to participate.

Challenge Fifty-Two, a white woman with dark hair. The camera is pointing upwards towards her face. She looks nervous in the dark as she is experiencing York dungeon lates
Bracing myself to meet the grizzly guests in the Dungeons

Awfully Good Atmosphere

As if the characters we met weren’t enough to make us feel on edge, the rancid rooms were rigged up to disorientate us.

Each different area was perfectly created to set the scene. With additional moments of darkness, loud noises, sprays, smells, and blasts, this was a sordid affair for all the senses.

Experiencing York Dungeons Lates - What Makes It Different To A Daytime Tour?

Whilst the attractions and areas are the same as the daytime tour, the content is a little more risqué on the evening, and most definitely only suitable for adults. Tickets are only available to over 18s.

With more blood curdling screams, jumps and x-rated themes, it’s darker, scarier, and thoroughly entertaining. It’s a tourist attraction with a difference and a night to remember!

A sign on a brick wall outside the York Dungeon. It is advertising some of their events, including experiencing York Dungeon lates.
Dungeon Lates is one of the ways to 'enjoy' the horrible history of York

How Late Is York Dungeon Lates?

It’s actually not all that late, but ‘York Dungeon Evenings’ doesn’t have the same allure as ‘Lates’.

  • They only run on Saturdays.
  • They are not a permanent feature, and are currently only available until November 1st 2025.
  • Running 7 tours a night, they begin at 6.30pm, with a new tour every ten minutes until the last entry at 7.30pm.
  • Pre-booking is essential.
  • The experience lasts for approximately 75 minutes.

Why You Should Try Experiencing York Dungeon Lates

  • York Dungeon Lates won’t appeal to everyone, however, if you’re looking for something a little bit different to do, this is definitely worth considering.
  • Some of York’s insidious inhabitants are brought to life. It’s like a horribly immersive history lesson for adults.
  • It’s the perfect balance of scary and funny.
  • Watching your friends or family being hauled up before the judge, inspected by the Doctor’s assistant, or pleading for mercy in the torture chamber is wickedly hilarious. 

Want To Try Experiencing York Dungeon Lates Yourself?

  • You must book in advance to visit York Dungeon Lates. 
  • You can buy your tickets from the York Dungeon website.
  • Part of the same group of attractions, Edinburgh Dungeon also offers the Late experience. Check the Edinburgh Dungeon website for dates and details. 
  • London Dungeon doesn’t offer the same Lates tour, but it does sometimes offer some after hour, adults only events. Take a look at the London Dungeon website for the most up to date details. 

Cost Of Experience

  • Tickets cost £27.50 per person
  • Passholders pay £22.50 per person

Recommendations

  • It’s not for everyone. If you don’t like confined spaces, being made to jump, unexpected noises, or being scared, then you probably won’t enjoy this. 
  • Book tickets in advance. You can’t pay on the door. 
  • Follow the instructions so that you, other guests, and all the cast have a wickedly safe experience.
  • Let them know. If you don’t want to be involved in any audience participation let the team know before you go in. They have ways of making sure you can still enjoy the tour. 
  • Embrace the experience. If you are called upon to partake in a scene, go with it. The staff want you to have a good time, and they want to scare you, but you’re in safe hands – they’ll make sure you are safe at all times. 
  • Have a great time, and let me know how you get on if you give it a go!

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