The York Dungeon Review
The York Dungeon
Reviewed by Jo Knox
I attended the York Dungeon with my husband and children aged 12 and 8. There were staff outside who were happy to assist with any queries. After a short wait in the line for the next show, we were shown into the entrance to get our tickets and any refreshments. Before being show into the first room, you were asked to have a picture taken against a green background which we later learnt would be superimposed with a scene from the dungeons. We were asked to show our acting skills pointing to a guilty witch in our party and then slime on the floor. We weren’t very convincing!
You were then joined with the rest of your group, who you stayed with for the duration of the tour. Clifford’s Tower was the first stop where there was a clever image trick of a talking head which looked real to like even though it was a video technique that was used. The image was Robert Aske who set the scene of why he was chained to the walls of Clifford’s Tower in 1537 and also explains the rules of the tour. It was quite dark and creepy and gave you a taste of what was to come.
We were next taken into a room at St Mary’s Abbey which had a stained glass window and the typical leaf shaped doors, uneven floor and a toilet which looked like a wooden chair. The servant told us the story of King Henry VIII and how he was a man that suffered no fools. If you crossed King Henry, you would suffer and not just a beheading… this was just for his wives. The actor was funny and brought in some of the audience to assist with his story. A hidden picture on the wall where treasures were hidden and then one assistant breaking the stained glass window meant it was time to move onto the next room…..
A dark room with some musky smells which hit you as you went in and asked to sit on some low benches. We were in a doctors surgery in 1551 and were told how the plague had taken over the city and now the doctor had died, his assistant was the only one who could help us. With a little help from a chap in the audience, the assistant told us how people in those days tried to get rid of the plague in graphic detail but with humour and enthusiasm. This was probably one of my favourite parts of the tour as the actress was very engaging and funny whilst telling the take. The leeches had everyone leaping out of their seats!
Guy Fawkes, a story we all know so well was less interactive as the previous two and we were told the story of the famous Gunpowder plot in 1570 which lead to the explosions in Houses of Parliament. This was voice acting and there were no ‘real’ characters for this one. However, there were special effects and lighting which complimented and illustrated the story well.
The Golden Fleece, a tavern where the landlord told us the tale of the two Williams in 1821. Why William was so angry and why his ghost is rumoured to still haunt the pub which is in the Shambles in York. There were special effects which required impeccable timing from this actor who was both funny and also a bit creepy.
We were then shown the Labyrinth of the Minster which certainly lefts us looking in the mirror to find our way out, there was confusion by all in this clever trickery. Following this we met Eric Bloodaxe, another clever video image telling us his story of why he was the last Viking in York and how he had earned his nickname.
A torture chamber is where we headed next and we were shown the torturous instruments used in detail with the help of one of our group who sat in the torture chair whilst the torturer demonstrated the Tongue Tearer, thumbscrews and one to make the men’s eyes water, the Chappy Chopper. We were led into the court where the humorous Judge who was very witty put some of the group on trial, including my 12 years old who find it highly amusing to be in the docks. Of course she was found guilty!
Gory tales from Micklegate Bar of the execution and one was lucky enough to be put in the stocks. It was cold in this room which made it feel like you were down in the lowest part of the dungeons. We learnt how people lost their heads… then shown the door.
Finally, we were told the story of Dick Turpin and the hideous crimes he committed form the holding cells at York Crown court. This was one of the eeriest stories which was mainly in the dark and you wouldn’t want to leave your seat for this one. Finally, the witches and how they were picked out from others at the time. Our group volunteer didn’t pass the test of the Witch Pricker… and the punishment was being burnt at the stake.
The end of tour led into the gift shop and then back out onto the street just down from where we had started. It was a fun filled tour full of laughter and some screams. The special effects and the rooms were built to give you a sense of going back in time was very clever. The actors/actresses were amazing, delivering complicated scripts in timing with special effects.
I would be sure to get my tickets online for the best value for money for this 75 minute tour and it’s a must see when you visit York.
Overall, a solid 5 out of 5 from me.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £11.95 to £15.95 (or save money by booking online in advance).
For more information or to book tickets visit www.thedungeons.com/york.
The York Dungeon: 12 Clifford Street, York, YO1 9RD
