Travel bucket list idea:
Jorvik Viking Centre
York, Yorkshire, United Kingdom (UK)
Last updated: 08 February, 2024
Jorvik was the Viking name for York, and the city was an important centre for the Vikings after they started raiding northern Britain from the 8th century onwards.
The Jorvik Viking Centre came about after an archaeological dig in the 1970s unearthed vast amounts of artefacts. Today the centre celebrates all things Viking, and is one of the most visited attractions in the city – as the lengthy queues outside at busy times attest.
The wait is worth it, though; where else can you tour round an authentically recreated Viking street in your own buggy, with the added joy of wafts from a Viking toilet!
Logistics
Price from: £15
Minimum age: 0
Age suitable: 4+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
Located in the Coppergate Shopping Centre, at the southern end of Coppergate walk, the Jorvik Viking Centre is five minutes’ walk from the Minster, and easily walkable from most hotels and the train station.
It’s advisable to pre-book tickets online, as there can be long queues at the ticket office and there are only a certain number of standby tickets available each day. Each ticket gives free access to the museum for a year. You can download an audio guide (multiple languages) upon arrival.
When to do it
This attraction is popular year-round, but gets especially busy in school holidays – you are strongly advised to book a timed entry online in advance. It’s all undercover so it’s not affected by Yorkshire’s fickle weather.
