York has seen some positive signs of visitor growth since many of the City’s attractions opened in Early July. York Archaeological Trust reopened JORVIK Viking Centre, Barley Hall and DIG: An Archaeological Adventure on 10 July and all three attractions have offered slightly different visitor experiences since re-opening. New features at JORVIK include a live talk from a Viking interpreter in the ‘Discover Coppergate’ gallery, enabling visitors to socially distance whilst learning about the Coppergate dig which unearthed some of the best-preserved Viking remains in the world. A one-way system is in operation at the medieval townhouse, Barley Hall, with the shop moved to the first floor, where visitors exit down an external staircase.
“Limiting admission numbers has probably had the most significant impact on our performance, but we have extended our opening hours at JORVIK Viking Centre throughout the school holidays, opening an hour earlier at 9am and closing at 8pm seven days a week. Visitors are required to pre-book, and many of our slots are fully booked days in advance, but the extended opening means we still have capacity to take on-the-day bookings, with a booking station outside the door for anyone wanting to make an impulse visit,” comments director of attractions, Sarah Maltby.
The extended hours have enabled JORVIK Viking Centre to operate at above 75% of usual summer levels, with similar figures for both DIG and Barley Hall.
“Whilst early predictions from Visit Britain suggested that it would be a local audience visiting, our data shows that visitors are coming from every corner of the country – whether they are staying in the city itself or in rural areas surrounding York, they are still making a visit into the city centre part of their staycation,” adds Sarah. “It remains to be seen what the impact of the latest quarantine restrictions will be; with travellers to France having to self-isolate, we may see even more people booking holidays in this country in a last-minute summer rush.”
For more information, or to prebook tickets to any of the attractions, please visit: www.jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk
Whilst in York, why not hop aboard the newly rebuilt time-travelling ride experience at the YORVIK Viking Centre, where you’ll be transported back to the year AD960; Eric Bloodaxe, the last Viking King in Jorvik, has been expelled and the city is transforming itself. You will discover the impact of international trade on Viking-age York, including the evolution of a multicultural society in the city, as it’s not just trade goods that flowed into Jorvik but people from across the globe! The gallery experiences have been completely updated, with new display cases allowing you to get up close to these precious, Viking artefacts. You will have the chance to dig deeper into the Viking story of York using the latest in cutting-edge technology located throughout the centre.
Key highlights include:
- State-of-the-art animatronics and models on the ride
- New immersive experiences
- Interactive digital applications within the galleries
- The latest research into Viking-age York
- New bespoke displays for the Coppergate Collection; one of the most important Viking-age discoveries ever excavated
Further information
