Five Family Attractions in York

In the first of a new series of posts about family attractions that you can visit, we take a look at five things that you can see and do with your kids in the city of York.

1. Visit the JORVIK Viking Centre. The JORVIK Viking Centre (Coppergate, York, Yo1 9WT) opened in 1984 and is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, and more than 15 million people have visited the centre since it opened.

The centre was constructed in order to house and display artefacts found as during an excavation undertaken by the York Archaeological Trust between 1979 and 1981. More than 800 Viking artefacts are on display at the JORVIK Centre, but the centre is much more than just a museum. It features reconstructed houses, streets and shops, and you can experience the sights, sounds and even the smells of life in the age of the Vikings.

On your tour of JORVIK, you’ll see reconstructions of a blacksmith’s home, the interior of a Viking home and even a cesspit, and kids can also dress up as Vikings and learn to write their names in runes.

The JORVIK Viking Centre is open from 10 a.m, seven days per week. It closes at 5 p.m. during the summer and at 4 p.m during the winter. You can avoid the queues at the entrance by pre-booking your visit – telephone 01904 615505 for details (a booking fee applies).

The Jorvik Centre is due to undergo a major refurbishment between November 2009 and February 2010, but will remain open for most of this period. It will, however, be closed during January 2010.

2. Become an Archaeological Detective at DIG. Operated by the York Archaeological Trust, DIG is based at the 15th century St. Saviour’s Church in the city’s parish of St. Saviourgate.

At DIG, you can learn about archaeological techniques, meet an archaeologist and see some of the artefacts that the York Archaeological Trust has excavated, and you can also have a go at digging up some objects yourself.

Bookings must be made in advance – you can do this via the JORVIK Booking website.

3. Explore York Castle Museum. You can see a wide range of exhibits at York Castle Museum (Eye of York, York, YO1 9RY). The museum has a Costumes and Textiles collection, a Military History collection and a Social History collection, and is also known for its recreated Victorian street, Kirkgate, which includes a sweet shop, a toy shop, a tallow-dip factory and a general store, along with many other businesses.

The most recently opened area of York Castle Museum is the York Castle Prison exhibit, where you can learn more about eight of the prisoners that were held there, the most famous of which was Dick Turpin.

York Castle Museum is open daily from 9.30 a.m (10 a.m on Fridays during school term-time) until 5 p.m. It closes early on 24 December and 31 December and is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

4. Stop off for afternoon tea at Bettys. If you’re visiting York, afternoon tea at Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms (6 – 8 St. Helen’s Square, York, YO1 8QP) is a must. It’s extremely popular, however, so be prepared to queue.

Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms was established by Frederick Belmont, a Swiss confectioner, who opened his first cafe in Harrogate in 1919. He also opened a Craft Bakery in order to produce bread and cakes, and this then allowed him to open further tea rooms, including the tearooms in York. The York branch of Bettys has a beautiful art deco style interior, which was inspired by the decor on the Queen Mary luxury cruise-ship.

5. Take a trip on the Yorkboat. Sit back and relax whilst seeing the sights on a Yorkboat Cruise. The company operates 45-minute daytime city cruises on the River Ouse and you can board at King’s Staith or Lendal Bridge.

Charges apply for all the venues and activities mentioned above – check their websites for prices.

Image: Steve F-E-Cameron

Tags: Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms, DIG, Family Attractions, Jorvik Viking Centre, York, York Castle Museum, Yorkboat Cruises