An archaeology-themed attraction in York is joining up with a bestselling children’s author, to bring mythical creatures to life this Summer.
DIG, in St Saviourgate, has announced an exciting partnership with How to Train Your Dragon author, Cressida Cowell. The collaboration will introduce a brand-new interactive experience based on her latest release, How to Train Your Dragon School.
Visitors to DIG will be taken on an imaginative journey through the spin off book series, which will include hands-on activities, as well as the chance to see original sketches from the much-loved How to Train Your Dragon books.
The latest story follows the adventures of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, and his dragons, Toothless and Windwalker, as they join the Viking and Dragon Training School on the Isle of Berk.
How to Train Your Dragon School recently launched in paperback through Hachette Children’s Group, with a second instalment due in 2026. The original series has now been made into a series of globally successful animations, and a new live-action film.
“We are incredibly excited for this collaboration, which we are sure will be hugely popular with our family visitors,” comments head of marketing and communications for York Archaeology, Lisa Wood.
“Cressida Cowell is always a favourite writer for children taking part in the Bloodaxe Book Challenge that we run as part of JORVIK Viking Festival. We’re looking forward to bringing part of the Isle of Berk to life inside DIG,” she added.
Naomi Berwin, Hachette Children’s Group Marketing Director says: ‘‘How to Train Your Dragon is directly inspired by the Vikings in Britain, so DIG’s focus on giving children the opportunity literally to dig into York’s history, which is of course so connected to the Vikings, makes them the perfect partner for the launch year of How to Train Your Dragon School. This is going to be a really special interactive experience for families visiting the attraction.”
The exciting announcement follows York’s DIG making recent headlines, after a skeleton displayed within the attraction is believed to show evidence of a lion bite.
Researchers in Ireland confirmed that bite marks on the pelvis of the male skeleton are from a large cat, most likely to be a lion.
This research supports the popular theory that 40 of the skeletons found at Driffield Terrace, just over 20 years ago, were gladiators.
Other theorists believe the individuals could have been venatores, a type of gladiator who specialised in hunting and interacting with wild animals in the arena, or bestiarii, who fought animals for entertainment.
The skeleton is part of the Life & Death in Roman Eboracum exhibition, which now includes a facial recreation by artist Hew Morrison, based on the skull and DNA research.
For more information, you can visit DIG’s website.