York’s world famous Jorvik Viking Centre closed by floods until further notice – pictures & video

For the first time in 32 years, Jorvik Viking Centre is closed – perhaps the most famous attraction hit by the floods.

The world-famous ride around a recreation of the Viking-age street of Coppergate was under around 50cm of water.

“When we first became aware of water leaking into the basement, we immediately transported all of the historic artefacts within Jorvik up to the first floor, and they have now been moved off-site to a safe location,” said Sarah Maltby, director of attractions for York Archaeological Trust.

Some of the recreated scenes, located in a basement under the Coppergate Shopping Centre, are set by the River Foss.

Festival still on

The team from York Archaeological Trust, owners of the Jorvik Viking Centre, is already implementing plans to get the water pumped out and repairs complete as soon as possible.

It will remain closed until further notice.

The other attractions owned and managed by the Jorvik Group in York remain open to the public. If you would like to help the Viking Centre reopen you can make a donation here.

Plans are still underway for the 32nd Viking Festival in February.

Other attractions closed by the floods include City Screen on Coney Street as it is out of power. The owners of York Dungeon, also shut, say: “Sadly we do not yet have a timescale for when we will be open again.”