Jorvik Viking Centre

Explore York's Viking history on the very site where archaeologists uncovered remains of the Viking-Age City of 'Jorvik'. Get face-to-face with our expert Viking residents, see over 800 of the items discovered on site, and learn what life was really like in our Special Exhibitions.

New Exhibition for Summer 2007. Are You a Viking?

'Fearsome Craftsmen' reveals the skills and artistry of the Vikings and includes live craft demonstrations, and 'Unearthed' tells how the people of York lived - and died - as revealed by real bone material.

JORVIK also takes visitors through a reconstruction of the actual Viking-Age streets which stood here 1000 years ago, faithfully recreated following twenty years of archaeological and historical research.

A programme of special events runs throughout the year, including the Jorvik Viking Festival every February. Check the website for further details.

Owned by York Archaeological Trust, JORVIK aims to bring archaeology to life to the widest possible audience. Everything in JORVIK is based wholly on archaeological evidence unearthed during the Coppergate excavations, and is recreated in the most accurate detail. Millions of visitors have passed through the doors of JORVIK in its 20-year history, including many celebrities and world heads of state.

Through the use of hands-on activities, visitors will explore how people from medieval York lived and died. Visitors will also be able to see how archaeologists build up a picture of the past and even how they discover what Vikings looked like.

The exhibition will simultaneously highlight the work of the York Archaeological Trust in a dynamic and interactive format. For example, through the use of excavation work and post excavation examination of bones, see how archaeologists are able to build a picture that determines life, death, battle, disease, diet and occupation in 10th and 11th century York.

Discover what helped a medieval footballing monk recover from a knee injury, how heather helps to protect against worms, or even how to tell the difference between a blade and an arrow wound on an X-ray. Other activities will include sorting through samples to show what Vikings ate, and how their diet gave them bad teeth, and measuring skulls to determine if the person was male or female.

Our sister attraction, DIG - an Archaeological Adventure is the perfect compliment to your visit to JORVIK. At DIG, adults and children experience the ultimate archaeological adventure and have the opportunity to learn about 2000 years of York's history. Visitors become an archaeologist within a simulated, realistic 'excavation' and unearth real artefacts from the layers of York's history. From here, the discovered artefacts are explored at three archaeological work bases, a fieldwork tent, a laboratory and a researchers library. Visitors are able to analyse finds using genuine archaeologist's methods an area is being equipped with the latest technology and fully interactive.The dig sites explore Roman, Viking, Medieval and Victorian history and are based on local archaeological knowledge from iconic excavations.

Advance Bookings - Beat The Queue

Payment for advance bookings can only be made by credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Switch. Delta).

Group Bookings

True Norse Gift Shop and Café

Disabled Access

A lift, toilet facilities for disabled visitors, specially adapted time capsule and helpful staff all contribute to a pleasant visit. Due to the nature of the attraction, we can only accommodate one wheelchair use at any one time. Parties with wheelchairs should telephone in advance of their visit to ensure that appropriate arrangements can be made.