The Polite Tourist offers true crime walks through Victorian history. Through York, Scarboro’ and beyond.
Innovative, meticulously researched and inspired by true crime stories from the Victorian era – our walks are designed to offer an informative and unique experience with a professional and spirited storyteller.
Described as the bête noire of the long forgotten dearly departed – our storyteller, the Lady Brigante is a spiritual sleuth, sometime artist and a seeker of the dead.
‘What is Christmas?
It is the tenderness of the past,
Courage for the present, and hope for the future.’
~ Agnes M. Pahro
With a nod to the festive season, The Polite Tourist presents our much sought after walking tour – Those Ghosts Of Christmas Past.
For those of a curious and hardy temperament – why not come along and listen to the Lady Brigante one NOVEMBER or DECEMBER evening as she shares with you the tales of those ordinary folk including the story of the retired cobbler, a harrowing family tragedy and a dreadful river accident.
And ALL lost to history – until now!
We walk Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 7pm.
And with the door of an atelier closed for the day – it is possible to catch a glimpse of a celebrated storyteller and sleuth clad in her distinctive black coat wandering through the unquiet streets and secret passages of the City of York, Scarborough and beyond in a quest to wake the dead.
And for those of a curious and hardy temperament – why not come along to the ancient City of York, Scarboro’ or beyond and listen to the Lady Brigante as she shares with you the tales of the illustrious, the miscreants, artists, misfits and those ordinary folk who have ALL been lost to history – until now!
However, for those of a sensitive nature who are averse to real stories of tears, heartache and tragedy – a walk with the Lady B may NOT be to your taste.
“On a recent visit to England, this writer was delighted to make the acquaintance of a fellow devotee of the macabre: the Grande Dame of the Night, Lady Brigante.
The eloquent Lady turned out to be a fellow Necropolis Hunter, Grave Digger, and Browser through Dusty Archives; in short, a dark soul-mate.
Placing my trust in the erudition and resourcefulness of Lady Brigante, I allowed her to lead me on a walking tour through the dark, narrow, and labyrinthine streets of York; and I found myself spellbound by the Dark Lady’s tales of history, murder, and highwaymen.
After the tour, we enjoyed a nightcap at a haunted, historic pub. This cat is looking forward to her next opportunity of skulking the streets and graveyards of Yorkshire with Lady Brigante.”
Katherine Kerestman
Author Creepy Cat’s Macabre Travels
“If you are in York make sure you book a tour with the Polite Tourist on her wanderings through the dark side of the city.
We did and it was fantastic!
The first time we went on a walk down Walmgate with her she brought the past to life with vivid accounts of the goings on behind innocent looking windows and doors.
Well worth it and it brought this ancient beautiful city into different, sinister but exciting, life and unlike some fantasy ghost walks her stories are real and true! A must!”
Stephen Barrett
Public Relations Guru for York Family History Society
“As you start to walk out on the way, the way appears.”
Rumi
If a unique and private stroll far from the maddening crowds through the secret passages and old snickelways of the City of York including a wander along the riverside appeals to the curious…
Why not take A Mourning Walk with the Lady Brigante one evening and learn of the long-forgotten dead?
And there will also be the opportunity to learn something of an ancient city’s most infamous ghosts along the walk.
For, with the promise of night fall and as the winter shadows beckon – an untold tale of those who once laid claim to these unquiet streets await eager ears and mystified minds.
For when the month of November beckons – the Lady along with her raven headed cane will heed our call and once more will take to the unquiet streets.
For curious ears eager for untold tales of murder and mayhem from the comfort of an armchair – our company founder will oblige for one night only!
The river waters have flowed through the ancient City of York for millenia and another death from drowning is far from unusual.
For all of the whispers from the archive of a celebrated seeker of the dead, and exciting discoveries about the unique walks, place of rendezvous AND ticket availability – step inside the twilight world of the Lady Brigante and subscribe to The Brigante Chronicles to bring forth EVERY snippet of chatter direct to your inbox!
From an Ancient City of Warring Armies, Restless Ghosts, Religious Persecution, Delicious Chocolate, and Infamous Outlaws – ‘Yorky Grit’ is THE Quintessential Memento from York!
From the shelves of The Polite Tourist emporium and designed by the Lady Brigante – this is an exclusive hand-made miniature from the City of York.
With a pinch of sand and locally sourced Yorkshire grit, and dressed in our exclusive recycled label – this little bottle will add a peculiar and perfect finishing touch to your cabinet of curiosities.
Situated on the exhilarating coastline of North Yorkshire and affectionately known as the ‘Queen of English watering places’ – Scarboro’ occupies a fascinating place within the history of seaside resorts.
Along with a history of besieged castles, dinosaur remains, literary prodigies, fishing ports, religious persecution, folklore, medicinal drinking waters, smuggling, and pirate radio – Scarboro’ enjoys an enduring charm.
And beginning JANUARY 2024 – the Lady Brigante will be peeling back the murky shadows of a seaside town’s criminal past with a stroll through the old cobbled streets in search of the long forgotten dead.
‘We’re All Stories, in the End’
~ Steven Moffatt
‘The ONLY clear picture history affords me is that of my death by poisoning one morning in May in the City of York – despite the best efforts of our Lady Brigante!
For a scroll though our parish records and census returns will only add to the mystery of WHO I am , WHERE I have come from and HOW I have managed to live independently well into my sixth decade!’
‘One early July morning, I along with my brother-in-law Alfred and his young son went for a spot of fishing on the outskirts of York.
Shortly before midday, a huge storm erupted and we ran for cover under a large bush far from the riverside. However, no sooner had we escaped from the torrential down pour – there was a huge flash of lightening and a crash of thunder!’
The Lady Brigante loves nothing more than shocking unsuspecting folk with the tale that she was abandoned at birth by gypsies and raised en famille with kindly mice in the crypt of an old church.
Alas! The truth is altogether more unremarkable for although blessed with an illustrious and extensive lineage – Lady B was in truth raised in genteel affluence in the ancient City of York.
Described as the bête noire of the long forgotten dearly departed – the Lady B is a storyteller, spiritual sleuth and a seeker of the dead.
For curious minds who are mindful to eavesdrop on the creative musings from an artist’s atelier or eager to discover the mysteries hidden within the Brigante Vault and the unquiet graveyards with their secrets of the long forgotten – why not cross the threshold to a little slice of the web to which the Lady B has since laid claim?
