Owned by the same archaeologists who discovered the Viking-age city and created JORVIK Viking Centre, DIG is an exciting attraction that enables learners to engage with archaeology in a hands-on way. By becoming trainee archaeologists, pupils will learn how we use our discoveries to learn more about life in the past.

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What We Offer Visiting Schools

A school tour at DIG will start with some archaeological training. Pupils will learn more about which materials survive and how archaeologists sort and identify finds from different historical periods. Then, pupils will have a go at digging for themselves on replica excavation sites inside our DIG pits. There they can discover more about the history of York over the past 2000 years.

Why Choose Us for an Educational Visit:

Pupils will get hands-on with fascinating artefacts from different time periods and have a go at unearthing and identifying finds for themselves. Your class will put their enquiry skills to the test, using scientific thinking to consider objects from our fantastic collection and discussing their own interpretations of life in the past.

Subjects and Topics Covered

DIG introduces students to archaeological remains as an important type of evidence for supporting interpretations of different periods of history, including the Roman, Viking, Medieval and Victorian periods, which would suit a variety of studies in the Key Stage 2 and 3 History curricula.

We welcome Key Stage 4 and 5 groups visiting as part of subject-specific topics in Viking or Roman history – please tell us about your learning objectives before booking so that we can advise you on the best activities for your trip.

Itineraries, Resources and Workshops

Extend your visit to DIG with our 45-minute workshop sessions, specially designed to spark your pupils’ interest in the past by exploring a variety of fun and interesting themes. Choose an archaeology workshop themed around the Vikings, Romans or Prehistory, all hosted by one of our friendly archaeologists.

Pricing Information

1 site / 2 sites / 3 sites

School Child: £4.50 / £7.85 / £10.15

Teacher: £4.75 / £8.80 / £10.45

*One teacher free with every 6 child places booked.

**Schools do not have to visit all three attractions on the same day.

Prices may be subject to change. Please contact our Reservations team to confirm prices at the time of booking.

The other sites include JORVIK and Barley Hall.

Accessibility and Disabled Facilities

York Archaeology has a strong commitment to making our learning programme inclusive and accessible for all. The DIG tour is accessible to wheelchair users and additional resources can be provided. The tour has hands-on and tactile elements, suitable for those with a visual impairment. The classroom and lunch room based at DIG are on the first floor but are accessible by lift.

The accessibility guide on our website provides a comprehensive overview of accessibility at DIG; there is also a Visual Story and Sensory Guide for Schools which you and your students can use to learn about what you might experience on your visit. Please let our Reservations team know of any additional access needs your group may have at time of booking, so we can support you on your visit. Contact us via email at schools@yorkat.co.uk or call 01904 615505.