One of York’s most popular attractions has gone car-free for half-term.
Normally, visitors to Jorvik Viking Centre are transported around the recreated Viking settlement via the time-capsule cars.
But a technical fault has put them out of action – and just in time for half-term and the Jorvik Viking Festival too.
So instead, visitors are to walk the 10th century streets – as part of guided tours which are normally reserved for VIP nights.
“We are expecting the repairs to take more than a day or two,” said head of operations, Gareth Henry.
“With thousands of people planning to descend on York for the Jorvik Viking Festival during half term, we will create a very exclusive opportunity for visitors to actually walk around the houses and backyards to get an up-close view of life in the Viking age.”
Instead of the pre-recorded commentary piped into the cars, the tour guides will provide live insights into Viking life in York.
“The system that pipes smells – from freshly turned wood and leather to rotting meat and cesspits – is still fully functional, so we can predict the areas of the set where visitors will want to linger, and those from which they will be keen to move on!” adds Gareth.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to see the Herefordshire Hoard, which is now on display in the artefact gallery on loan from Herefordshire Council.
This include coins, a silver ingot and jewellery believed to have been buried around AD 878 by the great Viking army.
Only 29 items remain – it is believed about 90% of the hoard uncovered was sold by the metal detectorists who uncovered it.
Prebooking will be essential, as the Jorvik team is anticipating extra high demand for this unique experience.
For more information, head to the Jorvik website.