Viking North: Major Exhibition at Yorkshire Museum

About

The Yorkshire Museum in York is hosting a new exhibition, Viking North, showcasing one of the most comprehensive displays of Viking artefacts ever assembled outside London. This landmark exhibition explores the Viking Age in Northern England, spanning from AD 866 to 1066, and will run until 2027.

Uncovering the Power of the Viking North

Drawing on new archaeological research and supported by cutting-edge display technology, Viking North features objects from the museum’s own collections, including the remarkable Vale of York Hoard, jointly owned with the British Museum. The exhibition also includes loans from regional and national institutions, such as rare finds from the Viking Great Army camp at Aldwark in North Yorkshire.

This collection, brought together for the first time, positions the North as a crucial Viking power base. Many items—crafted from gold, silver, and other prestige materials—highlight the status, wealth and craftsmanship of the Viking communities who settled in the region.

Curator Insight

Dr Adam Parker, Curator of Archaeology at York Museums Trust, commented:

“Viking North explores a time of profound cultural and political transformation. It brings together remarkable objects and new insights into how the Viking presence reshaped the North. Visitors will gain a deeper understanding of how these settlers established new identities and international connections, particularly through the lens of temporary, mobile settlements in the late 9th century.”

Exhibition Themes

The exhibition is divided into five thematic sections:

• Viking Great Army – Invasions
• From Yorkshire to the World – International Links
• Making of Viking Age England – Danelaw and Jorvik
• Hammer, Cross, Beasts and Dragons – Objects and Art
• Change and Continuity – Yorkshire and the North

Key Artefacts on Display

Set within the atmospheric ruins of St Mary’s Abbey in the Museum Gardens, the exhibition presents some of the most significant archaeological finds from Viking England, including:

• The York Helmet – The most complete helmet from early medieval England, intricately decorated and inscribed with the name of its noble owner, Oshere.
• Silver-Gilt Bowl – Discovered in a Viking burial in Cumbria, this ornate vessel reflects both Christian symbolism and Viking looting of religious sites.
• The Bedale Hoard – A diverse collection of silver and gold from across Europe and the Middle East, offering insight into Viking trade and metalwork.
• Silk Cap from Coppergate – A rare textile survival from York, evidencing long-distance trade and luxury fashion in Viking settlements.
• The Vale of York Hoard – Over 700 items of gold, silver and coins buried in a Carolingian silver-gilt cup, marking the largest Viking silver find in England in over a century.
• Bone Pricker and Decorative Pins – Featuring mythological beast motifs, these items highlight the narrative nature of Viking art.
• Thor’s Hammer Pendant – A newly discovered item with silver and gold inlay, combining pagan symbolism and Christian influences.
• Stone Cross from York – Exemplifies Anglo-Scandinavian carving, attributed to the ‘York Master’ artisan.
• Walrus Ivory Seal – A post-Viking item bearing the Norse name ‘Snarrus’, illustrating cultural persistence into the 12th century.

Context and Related Exhibitions

Viking North is presented alongside other current displays such as Star Carr: Life After the Ice, creating a broader historical context that traces Britain’s transformation across millennia. A programme of supplementary events and educational activities will accompany the exhibition, with a particular focus on engaging adult audiences, while also welcoming schools and group visits.

Visit Information

The Yorkshire Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 5pm. Tickets cost £9.50 for adults and £4.75 for children, with concessions available. Admission is valid for 12 months. Entry is free for children who reside in York.

For more details and to plan your visit, please see: www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk

Image credits: Courtesy of York Museums Trust.