Exploring York’s Viking Heritage: My Visit To Jorvik Viking Centre

Step into the vibrant history of York, a city renowned for its rich Viking heritage and home to the fascinating Jorvik.

I was invited to embark on a journey back to the 9th century, where I immersed myself in the sights and sounds of a bygone era.

Join me whilst I discover the stories, culture, and adventures that await in this remarkable attraction!

@discovering.york We Took An Educational Trip Back In Time! 🕰️ Thank you to @JORVIK Viking Centre for inviting us! #york #yorkshire #thingstodo #thingstosee #placestovisit #placestogo #fyp #fypageシ #placestovisityork #attractions #activites #jorvik #jorvikvikingcentre #vikings #yorkvikings #mustseeplaces ♬ original sound – Franklin Saint

My First Impressions Of JORVIK Viking Centre

When I first arrived at the Jorvik Center, I was struck by how crowded it was.

The line stretched out, filled with eager visitors ready to dive into the Viking experience. It was clear that this place was a major spot for tourists.

We presented our tickets to the friendly lady at the entrance and headed into a small area that quickly filled up with other visitors.

Entry to the attraction is every 30 minutes. I was particularly intrigued as our guide shared insights about what York would have been like and gave us a brief overview of what we were about to experience.

My Experience At Jorkiv Viking Centre

As soon as we were led downstairs, I felt like I had been transported to another century. We entered a large room with a transparent floor that revealed the ruins beneath us.

Our guide spoke about what life would have been like in a Viking home, capturing my interest of myself and everyone else in the room.

Additionally, there were various images and fact files around the space that I enjoyed reading and examining, which helped me fully immerse myself in the experience.

Next, we moved on to my favorite part of the experience: the ride.

I was amazed when I first realized that the lifelike wax figures weren’t real actors; they were sculpted to reprosent real life Viking from skull they found, they even moved and talked.

An audio guide accompanied us, providing information about the various scenes we passed through, each with its own distinct smell.

This really helped me feel like I had truly gone back in time, even though I had to block my nose once or twice!

After a quick, humorous reminder from a staff member that the year was 2025, I stepped off the ride and into the final part of the exhibition: the artifact room.

This large space was filled with a variety of fascinating objects that had all been discovered in York.

My favorite was the display case showcasing knives and sewing needles, where the staff nearby shared information about how they were used.

Is JORVIK Worth Visiting?

Overall, the experience lasted around 30/40 minutes.

Adult tickets are £17.50, and child tickets are £12, so for my daughter and me, the total would have come to £29.50. To take a family of 4 it would cost £49.00.

I really enjoyed the time we spent there; it was a fantastic experience and definitely somewhere i recommend taking the kids to learn all about the cities history.

However, I don’t see JORVIK as an attraction you visit very time you come to York but as a one time thing. Although they do have other attraction around York like JORVIK DIG.

JORVIK Viking Festival

The festival often includes talks and presentations by historians and experts on Viking history and culture, as well as family-friendly activities, parades, and live performances.

It provides a unique opportunity for visitors to engage with the history of the Vikings in a fun and interactive way, making it a highlight for both locals and tourists.

The festival usually takes place in February, attracting thousands of visitors each year.

Public Transport and Parking

Nearest Car Parks:

• Castle Car Park
• St. George’s Field Car Park
• Nunnery Lane Car Park
• Piccadilly Car Park

Nearest Bus Stop:

• Museum Street Bus Stop

Local Taxi Numbers:

• Streamline – 01904 656565
• York Cars – 01904 765765
• Fleetways – 01904 365365

FAQ’s