York Dungeon facts for kids
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| Established | 2013 |
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| Location | York, England |
| Public transit access | York railway station |
The York Dungeon is a popular tourist attraction in York, England. It brings history to life using actors, cool special effects, and displays. Visitors learn about the past in a fun and interactive way.
The York Dungeon closed for a short time because of flooding. It then reopened in March 2013 with new and exciting features.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the York Dungeon
The York Dungeon first opened in 1986. It was located at 12 Clifford Street in York, England. This was the second "Dungeon" attraction ever created. The first one was the London Dungeon, which opened in 1975.
Early Days and New Shows
Just like the London Dungeon, the York Dungeon was designed to be an interactive show. It featured live actors and was based on real historical events. In 1997, the Dungeon added a new show. It told tales of the 'Lost Roman legion' in York. Later, a section about the Great Plague was added. Visitors could even see a plague doctor's surgery.
In 2002, a new show called 'Gorvik' opened. This name was a fun play on 'Jorvik', which was the Viking name for York. The show taught visitors about the city's Viking history. It also showed how Vikings attacked the city. Other popular areas included the Torture Chamber and shows about the Gunpowder Plot. There were also stories about famous figures like Dick Turpin and a Courtroom scene.
From Museum to Interactive Fun
In 2003, the Dungeon added a show about the Witch Trials in York. This show used detailed sets and animatronics. Later, in 2007, this area became the 'Ghosts of York' show.
Over time, the York Dungeon changed. It started more like a museum. But it slowly became more about actor-led experiences. Today, it's known for its live shows. The York Dungeon is the smallest of all the Dungeon attractions.
Facing Floods and Fresh Starts
The Dungeon is very close to the River Ouse. Because of this, it has had to close sometimes due to flooding. This happened in 2001, 2004, and twice in 2012. Each time, the Dungeon was completely updated and improved. For example, the torture chamber was made smaller. Many of its original displays were removed. The shows were rewritten to focus more on actors talking with visitors.
In 2013, the entire Dungeons brand got a new look. This happened when the London Dungeon moved to a new location. The York Dungeon also got new scripts and added more funny parts to its shows.
Explore the Shows: What You'll See
The York Dungeon offers guided tours that start every 7 minutes. Each tour lasts between 1 and 1.5 hours. During the tour, visitors are led through different shows and exhibits. These are all based on real historical events and practices.
Journey Through Time: Popular Shows
One show is about the Great Plague. It takes you back to 1551 in a recreated plague doctor's surgery. An actor playing a plague doctor's assistant guides you. There's also a fun recreation of a York pub called The Golden Fleece Inn. Here, visitors hear exciting ghost stories.
Other shows include the Judgement of Sinners. In this show, visitors are accused of different historical crimes. There's also the Torture Chamber. Here, you can see demonstrations of historical torture devices.
Meet the Characters
Throughout the tour, actors play different characters. You might meet plague doctors' assistants, innkeepers, or night watchmen. There are also torturers, judges, and executioners. Stagecoach guards and witch-burners also tell visitors exciting and sometimes spooky stories.
Special Effects and Surprises
The York Dungeon doesn't have big rides like some other Dungeons. But it does have cool special effects! In the Dick Turpin section, there are 'drop benches'. These benches move suddenly to make you feel like you're in a crashing stagecoach. During a talk about leeches, there are even animatronics under the seats. These make it feel like leeches are moving around!
