On day two of our mini break to York, The City Adventurers started exploring York’s Viking heritage.
Jorvik Viking Centre
Our first stop on day two was one of the most popular visitor attractions in the UK. The Jorvik Viking Centre had been on the bucket list of places to visit for a long time. (Ever since it first opened truth be told). The Coppergate dig was completed in 1981 and the Jorvik Viking Centre was opened in 1984. The attraction has been updated numerous times since it opened and uses the latest technology to bring the city to life with the sights, sounds and smells of the Viking age.
The Experience
To start you are led to a room showing examples of the excavations carried out between 1976 and 1981, prior to the construction of the shopping centre. The York Archaeological Trust, founded in 1972
Then you move on to the ride through time, which transports you back to AD960, when the last Viking King in Jorvik, Eric Bloodaxe, was banished.
At the end of the ride is a small museum.
Clifford’s Tower
Not Viking, but Norman heritage.
Next we visited Clifford’s Tower, an iconic landmark owned by English Heritage. Originally built by William the Conqueror, it has been at the heart of the city since the Norman conquest and is all that remains of York Castle. Over the centuries it has served as a Royal Mint, a medieval stronghold and a Civil War garrison. Now it is open to provide views across the City. English Heritage, that own the site, also provide a virtual tour on their website.
Viking Themed Escape Room
Returning to Vikings……
Opposite Clifford’s Tower, the Mindlock Escape Rooms include a Viking Valhalla mission. It seemed the day for Viking adventures so the City Adventurers took the challenge……and succeeded. (Read our review)
York City Walls
We couldn’t visit the city without a walk along the City walls. Stretching for 2 miles, the historic walls are free to walk. We began at Micklegate and walked towards to Minster, past the train station. Although we only walked part of the wall, we noticed that there are quite a few steps and, in some places, it is open on one side. However, you do get some good views.
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