York residents can enjoy a host of free activities this weekend as a big thank you from the Jorvik Group of Attractions.
Their main attraction, the Jorvik Viking Centre, has been shut since it was inundated by the December floods.
To raise awareness for #CampaignCanute, a fundraising project set up to bring the Viking Centre back to full health, Jorvik will be allowing free entry to their four other attractions:
- Barley Hall, Coffee Yard
- DIG, St Saviourgate
- Richard III Experience at Monk Bar
- Henry VII Experience at Micklegate Bar.
As long as you bring proof of identity and residence – a YorkCard, utility bill, driving licence or passport – you won’t have to pay a penny.
Sarah Maltby of the York Archaeological Trust wants to repay the kindness shown from those that have helped out already.
She said:
So this weekend will give them a chance to see our fantastic attractions, and enable us to share information about #CampaignCanute, our fundraising campaign
Life and death exhibition
As well as free entry to Jorvik’s attractions, the group will also be hosting a free exhibition at the York Theatre Royal on Saturday, entitled Jorvik: Life and Death.
The exhibition will explore the fascinating subject of Viking-age medicine and living conditions.
It will feature:
- interactive displays
- a soft play area for young children
- and the only complete female skeleton found during the original Coppergate archaeological dig.
Visitors will also be able to try their hand at the medieval skill of uroscopy, which involves diagnosing miscellaneous illnesses and ailments.
Chief executive of York Theatre Royal Liz Wilson said:
The theme ties in so well with the history of our own site, which was once the largest medieval hospital in Europe and we will be creating a brand new heritage centre in the Keregan Room to tell the incredibly interesting story of the site and the theatre’s past.