Visitors to JORVIK Viking Centre this summer are in for a special treat, with a new and exclusive visitor experience launched for the school summer holidays, featuring extra talks and presentations, new displays and even a replica Viking house built in the gallery!
"JORVIK Viking Centre has been making history since it opened in April 1984, and this summer, we are taking the chance not only to bring Viking history to life, but also tell a bit of the story behind JORVIK itself,” explains York Archaeology’s chief operations officer, Dr Howard Jones. “We are currently operating the fourth version of JORVIK, which leans more heavily than ever before on the archaeology that we discovered on this very site, with our understanding of Viking-age life significantly more advanced than it was 40 years ago, as archaeologists and researchers have continued to analyse materials and soil samples collected from this site back in the late 1970s and early 1980s."
The ride itself takes visitors through a recreation of how Coppergate would have looked as part of the Viking-age city of up to 10,000 people. This will remain unchanged, but new presentations before the ride and in the Explore Coppergate galleries promise even more for summer visitors.
One thing that has become almost legendary in York since 1984 will be noticeably absent this summer – the queue around St Mary’s Square! Throughout the six weeks, prebooking for the centre will be essential, which will keep queueing outside to an absolute minimum.
“The time people spend queuing is often something people mention in reviews, so we will be requiring everyone to book into 15 minute arrival slots when they visit. We’ll also be processing their admissions much more quickly, so that everyone can enjoy the initial presentation from one of our expert costumed interpreters before they alight a time capsule for the trip back in time,” explains head of operations, Gareth Henry. “We’ve raided our archives for footage and photographs of the archaeology and early days of JORVIK within the Discover Coppergate area to further set the scene for what is to follow.”
Visits to JORVIK Viking Centre, which is located in the Coppergate Centre, take around an hour. Admission prices are £16.50 for adults, £13.25 for concessions and £11.00 for children, with under 5s going free. Family tickets are also available for £46.00 (two adults and two children) or £53.00 (two adults and three children). Tickets are valid for 12 months from the date of first admission, meaning visitors can return as many times as they like for a full year.
Tickets for summer 2024 must be prebooked at jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk. For more details, please call 01904 615505.
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