A PRETTY UK city has two rather unusual claims to fame – with the home of chocolate and a massive Viking event.
Hundreds of would-be vikings will take to York‘s ancient streets throughout February half-term when JORVIK Viking Festival returns for another year.
York will host the JORVIK Viking Festival later this month[/caption]
The festival will feature reenactments and workshops[/caption]
Running between February 17 and 23, the festival is the biggest of its kind in Europe and will feature workshops, reenactments, parades, games and a longship.
York’s JORVIK Viking Centre was built around Viking settlements that were unearthed in the 1970s.
The award-winning attraction is home to a reconstructed village that visitors pass through on a monorail and an interactive experience where kids can hunt for buried treasure called Dig.
A horde of more than 200 Vikings will gather in Dean’s Park before marching through the city’s streets to Coppergate.
The parade, which is taking place on February 22, is free to watch, with several vantage points along its route.
Vikings walking in the parade will then take part in a host of games next to Clifford’s Tower at the Eye of York.
A history encampment sits at the heart of the festival with its tents of craftspeople and traders taking over Parliament Street.
Anyone visiting the tents will be able to handle replica armour and weapons.
The Eye of York will also host an Evening Spectacular where a retelling of a Norse legend featuring a sword that can never miss its target will take place.
Meanwhile, DIG, the sister attraction to the world-famous JORVIK Viking Centre, will be home to the world’s largest fossilised poo.
Other events at the festival include an adult crafting station, a crafting tent for kids and a Viking-themed Top Trump’s bootcamp.
Gareth Henry of York Archaeology, the charity which organises and funds the Festival, said: “This is our 40th anniversary year of JORVIK Viking Festival, and we’re determined that those who follow in the footsteps of our Norse ancestors will not be disappointed when they get here”.
York is often called the UK’s chocolate capital thanks to its ties to the industry, which date back centuries.
Chocolate making began in the city in the 18th century when confectionery giant Terry’s was founded in 1767 and sweet company Rowntree’s in 1862.
The well-loved Yorkie Bar is even named after the city, with the likes of KitKat and Aero bars still being made in the city to this day.
Because of the city’s factories, the air in York will often smell like chocolate.
York’s Chocolate Story tells the story of the Rowntree’s factory that was founded in York in 1862.
The guided tour takes guests through the timeline of chocolate, from its start in Mexico up to the 21st century, while also letting you sample favourites like Aero and Kit Kat.
One of the city’s top attractions is The York Chocolate Story, which has won praise from holidaymakers thanks to its free snacks and interactive games.
Elsewhere in the UK, work has begun on a new Viking-themed land at Paulton’s Park.
Great UK city breaks with the kids – that are cheaper and easier than London
Travel expert Trisha Harbord brings you a selection of the best things to see and do in five walkable cities…
Edinburgh
THE cobbled Royal Mile is one of the UK’s most famous streets. Visit the castle on the hill then start your walk to the Scottish Parliament.
You’ll pass St Giles’ Cathedral, Parliament Square, cashmere shops, the famous World’s End pub, one-time jail Canongate Tolbooth and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
FREE: The Museum of Childhood with toys and games from across generations. Harry Potter fans can join a free tour around the town with stops including the inspiration behind Diagon Alley and Voldemort’s grave, see pottertrail.com.
Cardiff
WALK the walls of the castle. Once a Roman fort, it’s a mix of buildings from all eras and now a Gothic extravaganza.
Visit Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades and stop off at Spillers, the oldest record shop in the world.
Bute Park is the green heart of the city with natural play features.
FREE: Try a walking tour to learn the city’s 2,000-year history, fogosfreetours .com. Visit the National Museum or open-air St Fagans to see craftsmen showing traditional skills.
Newcastle / Gateshead
ENJOY a circular Quayside walk from the tilting Gateshead Millennium Bridge, taking in stunning views from both the Newcastle and Gateshead sides of the River Tyne.
Check out music at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art.
See the Norman castle and the fantastic science attraction Centre for Life.
FREE: Visit the Discovery Museum and the centre for kids’ books, Seven Stories. Stroll through Leazes Park and Victorian Saltwell Park in Gateshead, with a lake, play areas, an animal house, maze and cafe.
Birmingham
THIS city has more canals than Venice, so weave your way through Brindleyplace with its cafes and squares.
It is close to the National Sea Life Centre, with the UK’s only 360-degree ocean tunnel to see the marine life.
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the first Cadbury shop in the city, so do visit Cadbury World with its new Chocolate Quest ride.
FREE: Take a free family trail around the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery to see Egyptian mummies, and the Staffordshire Hoard Gallery has the biggest collection of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found.
York
THIS historic hub boasts more attractions per square mile than any other UK city. Step back in time to discover the 10th century at the Jorvik Viking Centre.
Tour the amazing York Minster cathedral, see artefacts at Dig, a hands-on adventure based on real-life digs.
York’s Chocolate Story has interactive exhibits, tastings and make your own lolly.
FREE: Stroll along York’s historic walls that have protected the city for 2,000 years. Visit the National Railway Museum, full of iconic engines.
Manchester
See the world’s largest football collection at the National Football Museum, visit Legoland Discovery Centre and watch 2,000 creatures at Sea Life’s underwater world.
FREE: Enjoy the city’s museums, including Manchester Museum, which houses 4.5million objects from archaeology to zoology. Young gamers will love the 150 consoles playing from Mario to Minecraft at the Science and Industry Museum.
THRILL: There’s indoor skydiving at iFLY as well as carts on virtual tracks at Chaos Karts.
Last year, travel expert Peter Naldrett named York as one of the best cities for families in the UK, here’s why.
And here’s how to do a 24-hour break in York.
The Viking Festival will take place over the February half-term[/caption]
York has been dubbed the ‘chocolate capital’ thanks to its ties to confectionary giants like Rowntree’s[/caption]
