First look: York stars on TV in Britain’s Most Historic Towns

Did you know York is home to a thriving Viking heavy metal scene, where traditional rock ‘n’ roll lyrics are replaced with Viking sagas in old Norse?

We’ll be honest, it was news to us.

But it is one of the fascinating nuggets unearthed as York features in a TV series taking a new look at all things old.

Britain’s Most Historic Towns begins on Saturday (April 7) on Channel 4 – with the episode featuring York airing on Saturday April 14 at 8pm.

Really exciting story

Presenter of Britain’s Most Historic Towns, Professor Alice Roberts, said it was tough deciding which six towns and cities made it into the series.

“To get into the final six, the town or city had to have a really exciting story to tell. For many of the towns, the time frame in which we’re visiting them was when they were really ‘put on the map’ or transformed in an important way that’s left a legacy today.”

York was picked for its Viking era, and this is what we can expect from the programme:

Alice tells the story of Viking England by studying the history of York, Britain’s most Viking city.

She takes part in a Viking battle, meets the metal detectorists behind one of the UK’s greatest archaeological finds and gets her hands on an almost 1,000-year-old Viking poo.

Also during Britain’s Most Viking Town there will be some CGI special effects to reveal “the entire historic town in all its former glory”.

It should prove to be a real boost for York.

Head of communications for Make It York Kay Hyde said: “York’s Viking heritage is a massive draw for visitors to the city. This new TV series will entertain viewers with insights into Viking life here.

“Britain’s Most Viking Town will broadcast York into the homes of millions of history fans across Britain. This is brilliant exposure for York.”