The York Dungeon
The York Dungeon on Clifford Street is a walk-through, actor-led tour of the city's grimmest stories, from the plague to Viking raiders and highwayman Dick Turpin. Opened in 1986 as the second Dungeon after London, it mixes live performance, special effects and plenty of jumps.
Photos
Leanne Dempsey
How the tour works
Groups move through a sequence of themed rooms, each with a short show led by costumed actors. Tours set off at frequent intervals and last roughly an hour to an hour and a half. There are no rides as such, though one scene uses moving seats and effects to recreate a stagecoach crash.
The stories
Scenes have included a plague doctor's surgery, a courtroom, a torture chamber, the lost Roman legion, York's Viking past, the Gunpowder Plot, whose plotter Guy Fawkes was born in York, and Dick Turpin. Shows change over time, so expect some differences from earlier visits. Humour is part of the act, and audience members are often picked on. The Viking area was added in 2002, and the attraction reopened in 2013 after flood-related closures.
Who it suits
It suits teenagers, groups of friends and adults who enjoy theatrical scares more than museum displays. Younger or nervous children may find the dark rooms and sudden noises too much. Pair it with JORVIK round the corner for a more factual view of the same history, or a walk along King's Staith by the river afterwards. The entrance is on Clifford Street, close to Clifford's Tower.
Highlights
- Opened in 1986, the second Dungeon after London
- Live actors, special effects and themed sets
- Plague, Vikings, Guy Fawkes and Dick Turpin
- Central location on Clifford Street
Good to know
- Allow about 60 to 90 minutes for the tour.
- Booking ahead online usually secures a time slot and is often cheaper than paying on the day.
Frequently asked questions
Sources: en.wikipedia.org