I have visited the Jorvik centre, in York, many times since it first opened in 1984 (when I was only 5) and have enjoyed every single visit I have made. In fact, to prove just how much I enjoy it here, my sister and I have been known to visit twice in the same day!
The Jorvik centre, situated on the site of the Coppergate excavations in York, has used the archaelogical evidence from these excavations, in order to recreate the Viking town of Jorvik. They were lucky - houses, shops and artefacts from over 1000 years ago had managed to survive, because they had been buried under wet mud, which meant that they were preserved.
When you enter the Jorvik centre (usually after a long queue), the first thing that happens is that you are taken on a ride through a recreation of this Viking town, in a little timecar, seating up to four people. This ride is suitable for all ages, as I can verify, and it seems to be a great way to introduce children to Viking history – I am sure that they probably understand a lot more than we sometimes give them credit for, and sitting in a car means they can’t run off, so adults too can enjoy the experience, without constantly worrying what the children are up to. This trip back into time takes you to York in 948 A.D. Sights, sounds and smells
all combine to make it a realistic and educational experience. The bustling market of Coppergate for example, has the noises of animals and workman, with traders shouting over the top. It’s not always easy to work out what they’re saying, but it certainly adds to the atmosphere. The presentation of this is superb - the models may not be as realistic as the waxworks at Madame Tussauds, but the overall effect, with small details such as the replica brooches on the clothing, make it very authentic.
The timecars also take you into houses, past families, one of whom I remember was preparing an evening meal, smelling good enough to eat! You can see the herbs, animal skins and furs, hanging overhead, and look to see how the cottages were constructed, learning about the building methods of the Vikings. You go past the wharfside, seeing the sailors, smelling the fish, and listening to the traders (trade was of great importance to Viking York and kept up the links with Scandinavia). Not all the smells are pleasant however – the Viking toilet stands out as being none too pleasing to the nose – but the strange thing is that you can buy a scratch and sniff postcard of toilet smells in the shop! (OK I admit it, I did buy one of these – purely for novelty value – and the other half of it has a scratch and sniff market place which is a lot nicer!)
Once you’ve experienced the Viking settlement yourself, the journey continues to show you the actual process of the archaeological excavations. It shows you a house being excavated for example, with timber on display which actually did come from the dig itself. Then the journey is over. I personally think it’s too short, but I believe there are plans underway to both improve and lengthen this – will have to go back and check in the future.
But the museum doesn’t just end here. There is an ‘artefact’ hall, where many actual objects found in the digs are displayed. This too is interesting to all ages, although smaller children might not want to look at absolutely everything. I remember being particularly fascinated by a little hooked stick, labelled only as a ‘toilet implement’ and to this day I still wonder what exactly it was for. Any ideas? There is plenty to look at here, household objects made from stone, bone and wood, amber jewellery, pots, games, pins, combs – they were a much more advanced society than I ever realised.
The good thing is that this exhibition does not get too crowded – the ride before means that people arrive continuously, but it also means there will never be too many people in there at a time, so you get a proper chance to look round.
Unfortunately I can’t give you up to date prices, since the centre is closed until Easter 2001, when the prices will undoubtedly rise. However, I paid somewhere in the region of £7 for an adult ticket, which to me was extremely reasonable – this museum is so well constructed and so enjoyable that I would have been prepared to pay more (although I might not have got my two trips in one day in then!). The only downside was the long queue to get in – but whereas I complained about this after my visit to Madame Tussauds in London, here, I tolerated it, since the Jorvik centre is well worth a wait, and is not too crowded once you get inside.
Overall then, I strongly recommend this museum. Because it’s so enjoyable, you learn a great deal without realising. It was this museum which encouraged me to pursue Viking studies at honours level, taking a module outside my regular course last year, to learn some more about the Vikings. This study showed me that the Viking centre, whilst presenting history in a way which is accessible to all, still manages to convey it accurately. Rather than just being told, or reading, about something, the Jorvik centre gives you the chance to actually experience it for yourself, enabling you to absorb this exciting atmosphere.
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I have been to York a few times, being originally from Lincoln, so not too far away - but never managed to get to the Yorvik centre. Great op :-)
drusilla 04.04.2001 18:36
I went last year (before the big makeover). I thought it was pretty good - the smells were maybe a bit too realistic for me though!. An excellent opinion ... Dru
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Mar 30th, 2001
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