Sometimes, I visit an attraction with absolutely zero intention of writing about it, but it turns out to be so excellent that I just don’t have a choice. Jorvik Viking Centre was one of these attractions.
Located in the heart of York, on Coppergate, the centre sits on the site of a former Viking settlement. In 1976, during a major refurbishment of the area, major Viking remains were found, and it’s these that act as your portal to the Viking world. Admission to the attraction is either by pre-booked or standby tickets, with separate queues outside for each. Thankfully, it was relatively calm on our weekday afternoon visit, so we were able to stroll right up to the ‘real-life Viking’ greeting guests at the door. From here, our booking was checked, and we were ushered into the attraction to be greeted by none other than the aforementioned major Viking remains. Well, a vast model of them at least presented with appropriate drama beneath a transparent floor. Multiple ‘Vikings’ roamed the space, helping explain the site to guests, whilst a long line snaked around the edge of the space in anticipation of the next section of the attraction. Of course, me being me, my mind immediately ran to questions of capacity and wait time and all the kinds of questions that keep me awake at night. Not that any of that mattered, we would be riding The Ride shortly, and this had been a very impressive pre-show!
The core of Jorvik is The Time Ride. This stunning dark ride takes guests on a journey through Viking civilisation, as it existed in Jorvik (Viking York) in the 9th Century. Informed and inspired by the nearby excavations, this is a lengthy, educational tale told in what is clearly the best possible way, an immersive multi-sensory experience. The ride utilises a 6-seat suspended system, with an individual screen and in-seat sound system for each rider. This allows guests to choose from a variety of commentaries for their adventure, including differing languages and age groups. Commentary begun, the ride proceeded into a dark space and even before we’d seen a single animatronic, I knew this was going to be good. It smelt amazing. Rich, earthy smells, the type you might catch at a Halloween attraction, but not overtly spooky. We were soon being greeted by the first of the animatronics, a relatively unassuming man and his wolf. However, on turning the corner, it was time to enter Jorvik. Our vehicle made its way through the town, passing the blacksmiths, a textile mill, and some fishermen at work. All the while, the engaging commentary provides historic context for the scenes in front. Particularly impressive were the animatronics carefully designed based on the skeletons found at the Jorvik site. We really were visiting the true, historic residents of Jorvik. The ride lasted 12 minutes, a very impressive runtime for a dark ride, but I still found myself heartbroken when we reached the station. I was so immersed in Viking culture that I just wasn’t ready to leave. The sets were moody and atmospheric. Every scene smelt incredible. The stories told by the commentary were engaging and moving. It was a perfect historic, educational ride. One that evoked a similar feeling to one of my favourite rides in the world, Spaceship Earth. If I could, I would have walked straight back on (and on, and on, and on.)
After disembarking The Time Ride, the attraction has one final treat in store: a small museum filled with Viking artefacts. Though small in size, this was a very interesting exhibition and featured artefacts representing all sections of Viking society. Though it’s always cool to see the jewellery and weapons of the elite in historical society, it’s the small parts of everyday life that really capture my imagination. What did a normal shoe look like? What toys did children play with? This museum does an excellent job of answering these questions and fully representing Viking humanity.
Though a visit lasts no more than an hour, I can not recommend Jorvik enough. Sure, you’re essentially paying £15 for a dark ride. But unlike Jurassic Jungle, this ticket price is more than justified. Plus, all tickets are valid for return visits for a whole year after your visit, which – if you’re able to return – makes for incredible value!
Maybe I do need to rank my UK dark rides after all?
Speak again soon,
Claire
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coasterclaire.co.uk 