Jorvik Center York

[reluctantbrit]

Is it worth for 2 adults? DH and I are on a weekend trip in March and while we have been to York before with DD, we didn‘t go to the Jorvik Center.

We are quite into history, know a decent amount of Viking history and the reviews are very mixed.

I went as a child about 30 years ago and I can still smell it.

Both my kids went on a school trip and both were unimpressed.
Castle museum is nice and if you have National trust membership then I’d visit Treasurers house.
If you are staying overnight then their is a decent ghost walk that starts at the Golden Fleece, it focuses on the darker history of York.

I remember when it opened 👵🏻. It was groundbreaking and innovative. We travelled from the arse end of wales listening to ah-ha on a Walkman. One of my happiest memories. I might recreate the journey now you’ve reminded me

🤮🤢 oh gosh.

I’m not sure we need that. We already know they didn’t all smell of Chanel no5 in those days.

It doesn’t smell now.

They are actual Vikings.

Brought here in the TARDIS, or what?

I hope they let them out when it closes and they don't have to live there

I'd do The Castle museum ( cheap) and The Railway museum ( free) rather than the Viking experience.

Actual vikings 😂

It's, rubbish. The railway museum is so much better and free.

Yup. My youngest boy gagged throughout to the amusement of his siblings and other children and the horrified distaste of other adults. I’d have enjoyed it if not for that. The excavated ruins are interesting.

However we all loved The Chocolate Story if it’s still open. Very good for kids with nut allergy who for once didn’t miss out if you let them know in advance. History fascinating especially for those with Quaker forebears.

For 2 adults, no it’s pretty shit, aimed at kid and school trips.

Jorvik was flooded at the end of 2015, and closed for ages whilst it was repaired/refurbed. The "new" Jorvik is smaller than the original - it's not the same as what everyone is nostalgic about from school trips etc. I we couldn't go without primary school age kids.

The York Chocolate Story is far better value for money, with lots of history of York, and lots of chocolate.

Liked it when I went about 3 years ago. One of the exhibits was an actual viking poo 💩 😂
The castle museum was not open at the time - being refurbished iirc.

Oh God
I hope they got all the Actual Vikings out in time!!!!

We far preferred the York Museum. We were in there for hours and still didn't manage to get round it all!

How about Barley hall or dig?

We went to the new version of Jorvik, as two adults. I found it memorably weird and hilarious. I’m glad we went. I wouldn’t go if you’re looking for something intellectual though. It’s like a weird Disney ride.

I'd agree with the previous recommendations for the Castle Museum, and add the Yorkshire Museum (plenty of fantastic archaeology in there) and Barley Hall (a restored 14th century townhouse) just off Stonegate. The Minster is glorious too.

I’d do the Minster and a ghost walking tour later, personally

Another vote for the Castle Museum (it's huge and will take a full morning or afternoon to do it justice) and also the art gallery on Exhibition Square.

I loved it, and spent best part of an hour talking to the very knowledgeable curators.
Ivalso took a great walking tour focusing on Vikings- worth every penny- think I booked through Viator.

I remember loving it as a kid, so when I was back in York a few years ago I went again. I was disappointed, so wouldn't recommend it to adults. Children would love it though. What's better than a train ride and a really old poo on display?!

It's dingy, dark, noisy smells horrible and you sit in a tiny train. Not missing much.

I went when I was a kid in primary school. I'm 38 now. I remember making a clay pot, banging on the table and shouting orders to our teachers to serve our meals.
What's changed about it?!

I also remember going in to some olden days tour where there was an old fashioned street and all the kids went in to buy sweets and I got soor plooms and some aniseed balls. Where was this?!