Jorvik Centre: Return of the Vikings

After over a year of absence York’s most famous folk are readying for an almighty comeback…

As all meteorologically minded locals know, the local area is far from unaccustomed to the occasional bout of heavy rain and often finds itself deeply wet. During the tail end of December 2015, however, the ancient city of York suffered its worst flooding in a generation thanks to a combination of a storm named Frank and the opening of the River Foss Barrier.

As a direct consequence, not only were 250 people evacuated from their homes, the once thought of as ‘watertight’ basement below Coppergate Shopping Centre in York suffered a deluge that rose from the floor, through its walls, and swamped much of JORVIK Viking Centre.

In 2015 the exhibition had seen over 400,000 visitors. In 2016 it saw none.

“When we first became aware of water leaking into the attraction, we immediately transported all of the historic artefacts within JORVIK up to the first floor, “ commented Sarah Maltby, Director of Attractions for York Archaeological Trust.

“In 2015 the exhibition had seen over 400,000 visitors. In 2016 it saw none.”

Important items were then moved to safe locations, leaving around half of the world-renown historical site still under up to a metre of water. So bad was the damage that the recreated Viking Wharf had to be entirely stripped away as the elevated Coppergate street scene was the only area to survive without suffering catastrophic spoilage. It took months for the JORVIK Centre to fully dry before reconstructive work could even begin, and since the sound system of the attraction’s famous ride was totally destroyed it had to be totally rebuilt from scratch. On the plus side, when it’s next enjoyed by visitors it will feature brand new atmospheric sounds and recordings.

Finally reopening on Saturday the 8 April 2017, having gone through a £5 million refit, the attraction will also see many of its famous figures of humans and livestock (once valued at up to £40,000 each) replaced with newer, livelier, and more modern animatronics. Brand new scenes of Viking life will have been added while others will have been greatly enhanced with some being more grimly realistic than ever before. Joining everyday goods arriving on the wharf, for example, will be slaves.

While the JORVIK Centre is being rebuilt, many of its artefacts have been on display in specially orchestrated exhibitions that soon be coming to an end, so the next few months will be your last opportunity to see them.

Jorvik: Life and Death, located on the site of the medieval St Leonard’s Hospital (now the York Theatre Royal) covers the multiple (often misguided) means used by Vikings to cure their ills, many of which were disgusting and some of which could prove quite deadly. It’ll run until the 21 January before heading back to its Coppergate home, so if you fancy learning of the ancient art of Uroscopy (the examination of urine for puss, blood and discolouration) then you’d best hurry. And remember, entry will be free.

Running until the 28 February 2017 at the 14th century church of York St. Mary’s you’ll find Jorvik: Home and Abroad, where visitors can experience the everyday life during the Viking-age, and learn all about their trade and industry while exploring a specially recreated street scene. It’s interesting to note that of all the many and varied items discovered in York from 1,000 years ago hardly any were to do with war, fighting or raiding. Few weapons were found, which suggests a people far more interested in getting on with their neighbours than attacking them. Adults can expect to pay £5, it’s £3 for concessions, while children under 15 years of age can get in for free.