Glad to see that we can now view the rates for our reviews. Maybe next time Ciao should test the new...
Glad to see that we can now view the rates for our reviews. Maybe next time Ciao should test the new system before installing it?
Member since:21.10.2000
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The Jorvik Viking Centre Museum is one of the most unusual museums I have ever visited. From memory (it was a few years ago now) it was relatively expensive but it was well worth it.
The Jorvik Viking centre can be found off Coney Street in the shopping precinct, opposite Boots the Chemist. In the high season you can’t miss it as there’s always a long queue, but, as I say, it is well worth the wait.
You are first transported around a Viking city, Jorvik, founded in AD 867 on the site of what is now York, in a small car, a bit like the ones on the Ghost Train at the funfair. This is a great idea as you can get to see everything without being crushed or hurried along by other people. I know I sometimes get a bit fed up when I’m walking around a museum and I have to virtually fight to get to see things, but this was really relaxed and very enjoyable, and perfect for children too.
As you travel through the museum you see all the various scenes of Viking life. The Viking houses complete with models of people going about their daily business, are faithfully recreated to show exactly how people lived in those times. They have the furniture, decorations and utensils of the age. There is also a street market and a wharf again in perfect Viking detail.
The people are dressed in the correct Viking wear of the day down to details like pins and brooches and the cars take you close enough to the exhibits to be able to see details clearly, even though the lighting isn’t too bright in places.
Sight is not the only sense to be stimulated either. The sounds of Viking York can be heard, from children playing to men working. The most ingenious bit is that you will also SMELL the smells from the Vikings too. Some are pleasant enough, the meal being cooked for example, but I’ll leave some of the others to your imagination. I’ll just say that sanitation wasn’t as good then as it is today – get my drift?
When you alight from the car at the other end there is an interactive museum for you to look round showing some more of the relics which were excavated, together with more information about the life and times of both the Vikings and the work of the excavation team.
Because of the way the museum is constructed with the ride and then the interactive part there is something here for everyone. The children will be fascinated, believe me!
As I said at the start of this opinion it has been a few years since I have been and I know that it has recently had an overhaul so I look forward to going again soon. It is certainly worth a repeat visit.
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Nice, easy to read and informative review there indeed, but having visited this place in April this Year, I thought it was a massive disappointment, and to be honest a big rip off, especially for the families we spoke to outside, who thought it was nothing better than a " Ghost Ride " at the funfair, and I must agree with them. It really is a crap place to visit, and I have NO idea why it is so highly regarded !!!!!.........Roy.........
Louise90 15.01.2004 23:48
I'm off to York next month, and definately plan to visit here. Can't wait! Louise. x
LostWitness 09.04.2001 09:15
I really enjoyed this as a child - I distinctly remember all the smells!!
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Apr 6th, 2001
very helpful by (100%):
