It’s well known that York (known in the Dark Ages as Jorvik) was a centre of Viking trade & culture, but how and where can you experience this History today? Are there any traces of ancient Viking Jorvik to be found today?
Here are the top ways you can immerse yourself in Viking York:
1. Follow the footsteps of Eric Bloodaxe in the York Viking Treasure Hunt!
The York Viking Treasure hunt is a perfect way to experience Viking York! Follow Eric Bloodaxe (a real 10th Century Viking King!) & help him find his lost treasure in this immersive chat-based scavenger hunt.
How it works: You’ll join a chat on your phone with Eric Bloodaxe who’ll send you maps to follow & clues to solve. You’ll dive into history, discovering facts about how the Vikings lived, at the same time as uncovering hidden gems off the tourist trail.
Perfect for couples, familities & groups of friends. Prices: Under 14s are **FREE** (Only £5.95 for adults)!
Click here to book your Viking Adventure today:
2. See how the Vikings lived at Jorvik Viking Centre
See first hand how the Vikings lived at the Jorvik Viking Centre. The highlight at Jorvik is the ride which takes you through a facimile of what Viking York looked like with the sights, sounds (and smells!) you might expect.
There’s a small museum where you can see many fascinating artifacts found in York as well as visible traces of Viking buildings through glass floors too.
Prices (Summer 2022): Adult – £13.50 Child – £9.50 – More Info.
3. Trace Viking History in York’s Streetnames
Walking around York you’ll notice many of the City’s streets finish in ‘-gate’. These don’t refer to the imposing medieval City Gates that surround the City, but instead come from the Viking word ‘gata’ meaning street or road.
A personal favourite is Goodramgate, which comes from the Viking name ‘Guthrum’, so it literally means ‘Guthrum’s Street.’ We don’t know who Guthrum was, but you have to wonder what Guthrum would’ve made of the cafes, charity shops & restauraunts on his street these days?
4. Play Viking board games
Hnefatafl is an ancient two player Viking board game, where you play either defense or attack. The objective for the defender is for the King to escape and for the defender to stop him! Asgard on Little Stonegate host regular Hnefatafl workshops where you can learn it first hand.
Asgard also sell reproduction jewellery based on real Viking artifacts, amongst many other treasures! More Info.
5. Feast like a Viking in Valhalla
Valhalla bar & cafe is the perfect place to indulge your stomach and quench your thirst, Viking style, after a busy day treasure hunting & tracing Viking History!
Set in a historic timber framed building Valhalla serves Viking inspired platters as well as mead, the famed honey based alcohol of the Vikings nicknamd ‘The Drink of the Gods’. More Info.
Street Raider Games 