Jorvik is one of the ubiquitous 'Experiences' attractions English towns have developed to lure tourists - the actual trip thru it takes an hour or so - some call it tacky others like it. definitely NOT a whole day thing - there is so so much more worthy things IMO in York than to spend a whole day in Jorvik - not that you should not do it - for the kids sake if nothing else.

Check out the ALLEGEDLY haunted basement of the Treasuer's House next to the Minster.

"allegedly" haunted…

as opposed to really haunted???……

>>Jorvik... How long can you stay there...is it a whole day activity?<<

The Jorvik center would be an hour - max. The Castle Museum on the other hand 2, 3 hours or however much time you can spare. The Railway museum is also terrific. which is why I suggested 1.5 days IF you decide to go to York. All 3 (Jorvik, Castle museum, Railway museum) are essentially in the very center of the walkable city. The Minster, castle museum and Jorvik center are inside the medieval city walls and the Railway museum is just outside the walls.

And best of all the National Rail Museum is free!

Kids will love rambling on top of York's ancient town walls!

Treasure hunt http://www.yorkminster.org/geisha/as...ure%20Hunt.pdf for the minster

But for the area you have to cough up a little cash http://www.treasuretrails.co.uk/york...der-trail.html

I highly recommend the National Railway Museum in York. It is wonderful and I also agree that the Castle Museum is a lot of fun too. We didn't go to Jorvik--no time and based on the reviews we decided to pass. We enjoyed walking along the walls and taking a ghost tour at night. If you can fit in a couple of days for York then do it.

In London the kids can do brass rubbing at St Martin in the Field--a church opposite the National Portrait Gallery in Trafalgar Square. Adults were doing it too--not just kids.

OMG bilboburgler...Thanks!!!! Really this will make my day Just by doing the Castle Museum and the Railroad ...walk, relax and get out...I will Totally skip the vikings....

European Novice....I will definitely check the brass rubbing...

PalenQ thanks..will check that too...

Caty

caty--I wouldn't skip the Vikings. My spouse and I enjoyed it a lot, as indicated it doesn't take a lot of time, and I think your kids will like it (not that they won't like the two museums.

Just been reading about the 12 Smells of York (free) guidebook in our local press- something your boys might enjoy!
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/1106...ted_guidebook/

I hope that 4-year-old is a real trouper. He no longer naps?

Re: your question about Salisbury/Stonehenge. Of your London list, both Hampton Court and Windsor would take a good part of a day. I consider both of these daytrips. This trip I'd skip Windsor and just do Hampton Court, which I think the kids would enjoy more. (The maze!)

Sounds like Salisbury/Stonehenge is a priority for you. You could take a bus tour from London for this.

I'm glad you're still including York.

Sounds like Salisbury/Stonehenge is a priority for you. You could take a bus tour from London for this.>

Or you could easily take the train to Salisbury then either get a taxi or the shuttle bus from the train station to Stonehenge - easily done if you do not want to do a group tour.

Awesone ! Thank you For all your Help and support

Life is full of turns...My Vacation to England wont happen this year. We wont be able to travel until Aug. and then it would be very expensive...Maybe next year in early June....

Who knows. I still have 14 days - 12 on land to schedule for Aug.

If you guys were on my shoes..With an 8 yr old that loves the GODS..no matter if they are roman or greek....

What do you think of Greece? :0)

>>What do you think of Greece?<<

In August -- no. Hot/crowded .

But why does August make the UK too expensive? The only place that August is a real problem is IN Edinburgh because of the Tattoo/festivals. So room rates are way up and availability is way down in the city

But otherwise, you can travel to the rest of the UK pretty much just as cheaply in August as you can in June