English

Lots on for little Vikings when the Norse invaders return to York at February half term

Report this content

14 - 22 February 2015

More family-friendly events at a variety of locations around the city are promised by organisers of the JORVIK Viking Festival, with plans including a Viking small holding in the heart of York city centre!

The Viking Steading will be part of a free Viking encampment taking place in Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square through the 31stJORVIK Viking Festival, which runs from Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 February 2015.  Sheep, pigs, a pony and a calf will be joined by plenty of poultry to give a whole new take on the ‘urban farm’ concept on the opening week of the Festival (Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 February), with experts on hand to talk about Viking farming techniques.

“Many people assume that Viking Jorvik was just a small village or settlement, but in fact, in the 10thand 11thcenturies, Jorvik was a thriving metropolis of thousands of souls,” comments Festival director, Danielle Daglan.  “The Coppergate dig of the late 1970s revealed some of the tenements occupied by the Norse settlers, but that is just one street of many in the city – much of the city centre that we know today would have been occupied or used for farming to sustain this community, so it is fantastic that we’re able to bring some of the livestock back to the heart of the York for this year’s Festival.”

Other highlights for younger residents and visitors will include:

  • Poo Day! On Tuesday 17 February at Barley Hall, when archaeologists explain the dirtier side of archaeology, with a chance to create your very own replica historic poo to take home!
  • Craft & Play the Viking Way, Monday 16 to Thursday 19 February in St Sampson’s Square, where a new saga written by students at Robert Wilkinson Primary and illustrated by the children at Lord Deramore Schools will be revealed, along with hands-on fun craft activities (a small charge applies for some activities)
  • Viking Warrior Challenge for Children – daily from 12 noon to 4pm at DIG (St Saviourgate), when Vikings talent scout for the next generation of strongest Vikings!  This is the perfect complement to the events taking place throughout the Festival at the Guildhall, which will host a legendary combat arena showcasing the unique skills of the Norse gods!
  • Popular children’s author Jeremy Strong will be chatting about his hilarious Viking stories, and about how he transforms his ideas into the characters and adventures that children love.  Wednesday 18 February at 2.00pm at the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, with tickets priced at £7.50 per person, which includes a free child’s ticket to JORVIK Viking Centre with each child’s ticket purchased!

“Children of all ages will also love our Festival Finale day on Saturday 21 February, with the traditional parade of Viking warriors through the streets of York, our annual ‘best beard competition’ in the afternoon and, of course, the live sound, light, pyrotechnics and battle finale event at the Eye of York on the Saturday evening which promises excitement, thrills and spills as we revisit the origins of Viking mythology!” comments Danielle.

For more information or details for how to book tickets, please visit www.jorvik-viking-festival.co.uk

ENDS

For further media information or photographs, please contact:

Jay Commins

Pyper York Limited

Tel:         01904 500698

Email:    jay@pyperyork.co.uk

Media

Media