Welcome to York Archaeology Attractions
York Archaeology’s attractions help bring history to life in new and exciting ways. They include the world famous JORVIK Viking Centre, York’s hidden gem Barley Hall, DIG: An Archaeological Adventure and the City Walls Experience at Micklegate Bar.
We are also home to the largest viking festival in Europe with our annual JORVIK Viking Festival and to the That JORVIK Viking Thing podcast.
JORVIK Viking Centre
The world-famous JORVIK Viking Centre is a ‘must-see’ for visitors to the city of York. It is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the UK welcoming over 18 million people in the past 30 years. It has revolutionised the heritage attraction experience, bringing the past to life like never before.
Barley Hall
Barley Hall is a stunning medieval townhouse once home to the Priors of Nostell and Mayor of York. Rediscovered in the 1980s under a relatively modern facade, the building has been lovingly restored to its original splendour. With stunning high ceilings, beautiful exposed timber frames and boasts a magnificent Great Hall.
DIG: An Archaeological Adventure
Grab a trowel and dig to see what you can find in DIG’s specially designed excavation pits. Rediscover some of the amazing finds that archaeologists have uncovered under the streets of York.
Touch real artefacts and work out what they would have been used for and understand how these finds explain how people lived in Roman, Viking, medieval and Victorian times.
City Walls Experience at Micklegate Bar
The City Walls Experience at Micklegate Bar is the perfect introduction to the city’s historic city walls – the most complete walls of any city in the country. Discover their 2,000-year stories involving battles, imprisonment and near destruction.
Visitors can also join guided tours of the Micklegate section of the wall and surrounding area to find out more about this part of York, from Roman times to the modern day.
JORVIK Viking Festival
Recognised as the largest Viking Festival in Europe, the annual JORVIK Viking Festival is a city-wide celebration of York’s Viking heritage.
The festival’s programme of family-friendly events, lectures, guided walks and battle re-enactments attracts over 40,000 visitors each year from across the globe, with many returning year after year to take part and enjoy the atmosphere.
The Jorvik Viking Festival will return February 2024.
That Jorvik Viking Thing
In Viking times, a ‘Thing’ was a gathering; a place where leaders and warriors could meet and talk. In the 21st century, our ‘Thing’ is a virtual place where Viking academics and enthusiasts from around the world can come together to share knowledge.
Join Miranda and Lucas, from JORVIK Viking Centre, as they delve into another fascinating topic about Vikings, archaeology, and more!
JORVIK Shop
Our team has scoured the globe for the finest quality gifts and historical replicas, from jewellery to weaponry.
Browse items only available from our shop.
Find unusual gifts for someone who has everything from Jewellery to Homeware there is so much from which to choose.
Get Involved
Discover how you can get involved in York Archaeology and the wide variety of roles that we offer.
Gain new skills, meet new people and help enhance our visitor experience through jobs, volunteering or placements.