Normally at this time of year Mad Alice is taking folk on a terrifying trip to York’s darker side.
This year, of course, her tours of the city have been put on hold. But that isn’t stopping our Alice.
She is moving her Bloody York Gin Tour online to Facebook and YouTube – so everyone can have their marrow as chilled as their gin.
The free event includes stories of hangings, beheadings and poisonings. And watchers can fortify themselves for more frights by joining special gin-tasting in between the horrible histories.
The perfect team, both Alice and York Gin won at this year’s Visit York Tourism Awards. Alice was named Best Experience, and the York Gin outlet on Pavement took the Best Shop award.
Gruesome deaths and a G&T
Alicia Stabler, who plays the role of Mad Alice during her tours, said: “I’m normally run off my feet by this stage in the year. But the coronavirus has put paid to tourism for a while.
“So we’re going online. I’ve been a tour guide in York for years and there’s not much horrible history I don’t know.
“History buffs, people with a morbid fascination with gruesome deaths as well as gin lovers and people who just want to be entertained love my tour. I hope they’ll enjoy it online.
“I know it’s not the same as actually being here – but you’ll definitely get a feel for York’s bloody awful history.
“And if you get a glass of gin in your hand, your nerves shouldn’t be too shot at the end.”
The scary stories are interspersed with gin tastings, including York Gin’s Navy Strength Outlaw, inspired by the city’s baddies including Guy Fawkes and Dick Turpin.
Entertaining and ghastly
Emma Godivala of York Gin said: “The Mad Alice tour is legendary in York. It’s insightful, entertaining and ghastly. But mostly lots of fun.
“York is an amazing place – and we hope the Bloody York Gin Tour will give people a taste of what tourists can expect to experience when we’re back up and running.”
The first Bloody York Gin Online Tour takes place on Facebook at 6pm on Friday May 22 with a recording available afterwards on YouTube. Register for the free tour here.
Those who want the full experience, with gin tasting included, can buy a York Gin tasting collection here.