Overview

Yorvik Centre is an underground museum and experience, and we thought it would be inaccessible to people in wheelchairs. But we had a surprise, as it was! In the years 1980s, a Viking village was discovered underneath York and massive archaeological workd began to save it and make it a public heritage. Now the village has been "rebuilt" with animated installations, lights, sounds and even smells from that period. When we got there, there was a ong queue waiting and we asked the staff managing it if there was any chance of visiting. They said yes but we'd have to book an accessible slot by phoning the dedicated number on the leaflet. We were a bit put off, as the reception desk was just feet away and we wondered why couldn't we simply agree on a slot with the staff at the counter, but no, we were told to phone. Obviously, no one answered our call. So we came back on an offpeak day and time (it was a rainy Sunday at 2 pm!) and a different - very kind young lady at the queue just popped inside, had a quick talk and came back saying that we could go in in a moment. There's a glass panelled lift down the museum and it takes you literally down the ages through the layers of old York. Then the tour is done via gondolas and the staff take you through a door to gondola 13 which has a platform in front to accomodate a wheelchair, and a few seats just behind for the carer or the rest of the group. So it was all smooth and my husband could enjoy the tour from the front with nothing and no one hindering his view. Going through the Viking village is quite an experience, and when you finish the staff helps you get off the gondola. Then there's the museum display which is all level and you can enjoy the manufacts and the explanations of all the Viking finds. The only thing is: the room is quite dim, and this could create some problems for people with visual impairments, especially if the museum is crowded at the time of your visit. But overall it's really worth going. At the end of the museum tour you go back up to street level via the same lift. All in all, an immersive and interesting experience not to be missed if you go to York

Transport & Parking

We had our own car, and the nearest car park is at Clifford's Tower, which is about 200 yards away. All car parks near York City Centre are pay and display but disabled badge holders can park free of charge.

Access

There's a lift down to the underground level of the village and museum, and one accssible gondola to accomodate a wheelchair, so it's best to book in advance to avoid waiting and queuing. The museum area has access ramps and the rest is all level. The gondolas have individual headphones where you can choose the language to listen to the explanation and adjust the volume to your needs.

Toilets

We didn't see any toilets inside the Yorvik Centre. The nearest public ones are in the passage leading to Clifford's Tower car park, but they aren't very clean. Many people take advantage of the toilets at Marks & Spencer nearby, but they're always very crowded though clean.

Staff

THe staff changes because of shifts and they're generally young people, so depending on when you happen to go you may meet with different attitudes, but everyone strives to be kind and helpful to their best.

Photos