Jorvik Dig
The basics
Jorvik Dig is only accessible on archaeologist-led tours. Tours are timed, and prebooking means you are guaranteed a spot at the time of your choosing. Depending on how busy it is, visitors who turn up at the door without having booked in advance may have to wait for the next available tour. General admission and combo tickets—which include access to Jorvik Dig and other Jorvik Group attractions—are available. Some York sightseeing passes also provide free entry to Jorvik Dig.
Things to know before you go
- Jorvik Dig is a must for families, with stroller storage and baby-changing facilities, a special area for under 5s, and a high level of interactivity.
- Prebook tickets to ensure a spot at your chosen tour time. Jorvik Dig is fully wheelchair-accessible.
- Tickets are valid for 12 months from your first visit, meaning you can come again for a year at no extra cost.
How to get there
Jorvik Dig is on St. Saviourgate in central York. Look for green signposts pointing toward the attraction. The number 12 and 13 buses connect York station to the Stonebow, which is just a short walk from Jorvik Dig.
Trip ideas
When to get there
Jorvik Dig is open daily and tours take place regularly throughout the day. Weekends and holidays are generally busy, so come midweek for a quieter experience.
The Excavation Pits
Jorvik Dig features four indoor excavation pits filled with synthetic soil, meaning you can get involved without getting mucky. Receive trowels and tools and—under the instruction of a guide—attempt to unearth replica Roman, Viking, medieval, and Victorian finds. The pits are inspired by real archaeological sites, with the medieval pit based upon the cemetery uncovered at the Gilbertine Priory of St Andrew at Fishergate. The Victorian pit is modeled on a house that once stood on York’s Dundas Street.