Viking fans, this one’s for you! The Yorkshire Museum’s exciting new exhibition, Viking North, opens on Friday July 11th, just in time for the summer holidays. Step back into the dramatic Viking Age and discover the captivating – and often fierce – history of northern England.

Viking wonders galore

The Yorkshire Museum has brought together one of the largest and most significant collections of Viking artefacts ever displayed outside London. Many of these items have never been seen before, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of the Norse settlers who once called Yorkshire home. From stunning gold and silver treasures to everyday objects that hint at a vibrant, complex society, this exhibition will bring the past to life.

Marvel at iconic pieces like the famed York Helmet – the best-preserved piece of its kind from Early Medieval England – and the magnificent Vale of York Hoard, a staggering collection of over 700 pieces of silver and gold discovered near Harrogate. There’s also the Bedale Hoard, packed with precious items that tell the story of long-lost trading routes stretching as far as the Middle East. You’ll even find the kind of bling the original Vikings might have worn to show off at their own version of a medieval school disco!

Explore the Viking World

With five immersive themes, Viking North is a chance to step into a Viking world and – whisper it – maybe even learn something…!

• Viking Great Army: Discover the warriors who forever changed England’s history.
• Invasions: Uncover the dramatic moments that brought the Vikings to our shores.
• From Yorkshire to the World: Explore the Vikings’ global connections through rare artefacts.
• Making of Viking Age England: Learn about the Danelaw and the formation of Jorvik.
• Hammer, Cross, Beasts, and Dragons: See how art and mythology shaped Viking life.

Kids will love spotting the bone prickers and pins carved with strange and mythical beasts, while parents can appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship of objects like the newly discovered Thor’s pendant, a remarkable piece in silver and gold that reflects ancient beliefs.

The exhibition runs until 2027, giving you plenty of time to plan a visit! Why not combine your visit with a picnic in York’s beautiful Museum Gardens, ceramic painting at Rainbows Ceramics, doing the Little Vikings I Spy Trail or a walk by the river? Complete your day by wandering York’s ancient Shambles or climbing Clifford’s Tower for spectacular views across a city where Vikings used to walk!

Yorkshire Museum opens Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Tickets for the Yorkshire Museum
are £9.50 per adult and £4.75 per child. Concessions available. Ticket valid for 12 months.
Children of York residents are free.