Jorvik Viking Centre

Turn your next family day out into a discovery expedition back in time as you delve into York’s fascinating Viking legacy at JORVIK Viking Centre. This is your chance to come up close with a unique collection of 1,000-year-old artefacts, learn through cutting-edge technology, and chat with some friendly Viking hosts.

Between the years 1976-81 archaeologists from York Archeology unearthed the remains of civilisation from Anglo-Norse England! They discovered houses, workshops and backyards of the Viking Age city of Jorvik as it stood nearly 1,000 years ago! Families can now stand on the JORVIK Viking Centre site of one of the most famous and astounding discoveries of modern archaeology.

You and your little time-travelling archaeologists are invited to explore the 10th century Viking-Age City complete with all its sights, sounds and smells. Uncover what daily life was like for the average Viking... or your average Anglo-Norse individual. 

This memorable experience offers families the chance to view a variety of items and real artefacts from the Viking period that were discovered on this site, in the state-of-the-art galleries. Visitors can also journey through the reconstructed Viking Age streets and experience life as it would have been in 10th-century York.

You’ll see some of the world’s rarest Viking artefacts - from delicate earrings and socks to frying pans, and even a fossilised Viking poo; it doesn’t get any more real than that! There's something really magical in coming face to face with actual items of famous historic periods (excluding the poo!). 

Another must-do part of your visit to JORVIK Viking Centre is the Coppergate site. There you’ll discover the best of modern archaeology, starting with a fully immersive display taking you back to the dig in the 1970s. It’s going to be a fun and wonderful experience for the whole family!

Learn about Viking Kings, each historic building (including a Barley Hall), and watch the Viking York period come to life. Whether you are on a staycation in York or you are a local family looking for an attraction to visit during the school holidays, the JORVIK Viking Centre should be at the top of your list!

If you are a wheelchair user, a carer or you have low mobility you'll be delighted to know that the Jorvik Centre is an accessible visitor attraction. They are in fact, the winners of the 2020 Visit York Award for Accessible and Inclusive Tourism!

There is no cafe on-site but there are plenty of options close by for food and drinks.

By bus: Several bus services connect through York, making stops in the city centre. Visit the iTravelYork website for more information.York’s six Park & Ride services allow you to travel to York by car, park for free in secure car parks and complete your journey into the city centre by bus. The nearest bus stop is situated on Tower Street, a two-minute walk away. For timetables and more information, visit the website.

The nearest car park is the Castle car park, just a five-minute walk away (for Sat Nav Users, Castle Car Park Postcode: YO1 9SA).

FREE, secure car parking is available at York’s six Park & Ride sites. Visit the iTravelYork website for timetables and more information. The nearest bus stop is situated on Tower Street, a two-minute walk away. More information on the York Park and Ride service is available.

Pre-book your parking online and use promo-code ‘Jorvik’ and receive a 10% discount on your parking. Address: Q-Park Shambles, Garden Place, York, YO1 7NT.

By train: York is on the East Coast main line between London and Scotland. It takes less than two hours to get to York from London. Trains run every half an hour, with at least 25 direct trains each weekday.

Direct rail services also run to York from many of the UK’s main regional centres. York can be reached easily from all the following stations: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Liverpool.

There are direct trains to and from Manchester International Airport and trains run every hour during the day.