Embark on a journey through time at York Minster.

Take the opportunity to get up close with history as we welcome figures from York Minster’s past to relive and revisit their stories.

Throughout 2026 we invite you to join costumed interpreters from Days Gone By to learn more about York Minster’s rich and varied past.

Meet the Vikings: Monday 16 – Saturday 21 February 

Join us as we take part in the Jorvik Viking Festival, and welcome costumed interpreters to York Minster.

What have you always wanted to ask a Viking? Have you ever wondered want life was like in York when the Vikings ruled? Now’s your chance to find out! Meet a Viking of old Jorvik and discover more about their life in York…

Meet the Romans: Monday 25 – Saturday 30 May 

York is about to be overrun by the Romans as we celebrate the Eboracum Roman Festival and welcome costumed interpreters to York Minster this May half term.

Chat with a Roman of Eboracum and discover what life was like in the old Roman barracks that once stood on the site of York Minster.

Meet St William’s Medieval Pilgrims: Monday 26 – Saturday 31 October

Medieval York was full of pilgrims who had travelled from far and wide seeking health, help and hope from the shrine of St William of York.

Join us throughout October half term and meet some of the pilgrims who have embarked on a journey to this holy place. Discover more about their travels to York, their lives and their devotion to York’s patron saint.

Good to know: 

All sessions are suitable for children aged 6+. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

The sessions will run each day from 10am – 12.30pm and 1.30pm – 3.30pm in St Stephen’s chapel inside the Minster. The sessions operate on a drop-in basis and are included with a sightseeing ticket, no booking required.

Entry to York Minster is free for up to four children aged seventeen and under with each adult.

About Days Gone By:

Days Gone By is a York-based partnership founded with the intention of bringing immersive history workshops to heritage venues and classrooms.

Since meeting at university 10 years ago, Samuel and Hayden have worked for the Jorvik Viking Centre, Murton Park’s Danelaw Centre for Living History, and York Museums Trust.

As a partnership, they have attended national re-enactment events, local historical society venues, traded at medieval markets, and even worked in film and television teaching Al Murray to use a sword and round shield on the television programme ‘Why do the Brits win every War?’. Days Gone By gives you the chance to get hands on with history.