I can't say I was particularly impressed with the York Dungeon, I had heard really good things about the London Dungeon, and I thought it'd be very similar, but this turned out not to be the case.
Finding the Dungeon
Firstly it took us a while to find the place. The directions we had and ... Read review
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Advantages: Struggling to think of any Disadvantages: Very expensive
...was particularly impressed with the York Dungeon, I had heard really good things about the London Dungeon, and I thought it'd be very similar, but this turned out not to be the case.
==Finding the Dungeon==
Firstly it took us a while to find the place. The directions we had and the signposting around York weren't the best, and we almost gave up. It was only because we'd bought the tickets in advance that we persevered. ...Clifford Street, York, YO1 9RD, which is a little back street well away from the centre of York.
==Opening Times ==
The dungeon opens at 10.30 each day, and closes between 4 and 5.30 depending on the time of year, it closes earlier in low season, and later during the school holidays.
I can't say I was particularly impressed with the York Dungeon, I had heard really good things about the London Dungeon, and I thought it'd be very similar, but this turned out not to be the case.
Finding the Dungeon
Firstly it took us a while to find the place. The directions we had and the signposting around York weren't the best, and we almost gave up. It was only because we'd bought the tickets in advance that we persevered.
The dungeon address is York Dungeon, 12 Clifford Street, York, YO1 9RD, which is a little back street well away from the centre of York.
Opening Times
The dungeon opens at 10.30 each day, and closes between 4 and 5.30 depending on the time of year, it closes earlier in low season, and later during the school holidays.
Booking online makes it cheaper, for example booking one adult and 2 children online means you can save up to £10.20. It is 'up to' that amount because the prices vary during the day, and early morning and late afternoon prices are cheaper. The only problem booking this way is that you are limited to a 2 hour slot, I'm not sure what would happens if you miss this slot.
The price is for the tour, and it lasts about 1 hour.
My Thoughts
As I said earlier we struggled to find it, because it was on the corner of a little back street, in fact we only really noticed it because we saw a bunch of people loitering on the pavement. When we got closer we realised that this was the queue for the dungeon. There was a member of staff dressed as some sort of ghoul trying to entertain the queue, but he wasn't being very successful.
The major drawback to this attraction is the party size, they allow far too many people in at one time, and whilst this helps to keep the queues down it also means that the rooms are packed, with people shoulder to shoulder. It also means that children can't really see what's going on, because there are too many adults in front of them and unfortunately in today's society adults won't move aside and let children to the front so they can see.
On the tour you move from room to room, and the staff are dressed in different costumes, and they tell the tales of Dick Turpin, Guy Fawkes, the Black Death amongst others. There's also a mirror room that is supposed to represent the Labyrinth of the Lost Roman Legion, where you wander around a mirror maze.
During the Dick Turpin talk you sit on benches whilst the story is being told, then when Dick is hanged the benches drop a whole inch or two, which I presume is meant to be the thrilling part of the tour, but it fell completely flat.
There's also a mock 17th Century court room, where one staff member dresses up as a judge, and randomly picks people out of the audience to humiliate in the dock. Whilst this was slightly amusing, you could see that the people who were selected were extremely uncomfortable and embarrassed by the situation.
Unlike the London Dungeon there's no ride at the end, so basically you're paying a lot of money for an hours walk whilst being squashed in with a lot of sweaty strangers.
I can't really recommend it, I found it mildly interesting, but the kids didn't really enjoy it, mainly because they couldn't see half of what was going on. And a lot of the time they couldn't understand what the staff were saying, because they were putting on strange cackling voices to try and create a more horrifying atmosphere. Because I knew the stories they were telling I could just about work out what they were talking about, but because the kids had never learned of the Black Plague or Dick Turpin at school they struggled to understand what they were saying.
Advantages: Enthusiastic cast; special effects; lasted a long time; small queues Disadvantages: 'Ride' was poor; closes early; it is scary, makes you jump
I had always been interested in 'The Dungeons'; I'd seen several TV advertisements for the dungeon in York, and after visiting their website and tapping into my sat nav how long it'd take to drive there, my partner and I discovered it'd only take us around an hour and about 20 minutes, so we decided to make the trip and go. The best part was that being a 'SKY+' subscriber, I had received a 2-for-1 voucher, so when we realised it was going to be cheaper than what we'd previously expected, it was an added bonus.
GETTING TO YORKDUNGEON, AND PARKING
The trusty Sat Nav got us all the way to YorkDungeons, although it was quite well sign posted from the main roads. Parking was a bit of a nightmare - I had only bought cash along with me, with about £7 in change, assuming that the carpark would cost around £6 or £7 to stay ...
Advantages: Entertaining, Educational and Scarey Disadvantages: A bit expensive, very hot and humid, waiting times.
I have visited The YorkDungeon on two occassions now, the first time was with my children about five years ago, which was great fun as they were young teenagers. The second time I went with my husband and two adult friends - so I will try to explain the reactions with both visits - as believe me it was totally different without the children.
Well to start with you will find the YorkDungeon in the York City, it is just off the river in Clifford Street. You have to cue up for a little while, queuing all depends on the amount of people there. On our first visit there were about 30 or more people and it took about 30mins to get in, on our second visit there were only about 10 people infront of us and it was about a 10 min wait. Whilst you waiting you are entertained by the staff that are dressed up as plague victims - they come round ...
arnoldhenryrufus 09.08.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of York Dungeon, York
Advantages: Fun and learning in one Disadvantages: Scary
Ok, I admit it. I watch Most Haunted. I am one of those sad people who spends far too much time watching the live weekend show and then sits there and announces that it was rubbish, only to settle back down for another dose as soon as the opportunity arises. I wonder what it is that makes being scared such a great feeling? I am the worlds biggest coward, but I love scary films and spooky places. One of the recent live shows was centred around the beautiful historic city of York and one of the locations visited was The YorkDungeon. I have to say I don't need an excuse to visit York, it is to me one of this countries treasures, but when my son asked whether we could go visit the dungeon I jumped at the opportunity of a day out.
Situated on the corner of Clifford Street in York, not to far from the majestic Clifford's Tower I have to ...
