York Minster Undercroft

The Undercroft is the museum space beneath York Minster, built during emergency works in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Families follow the route past the remains of a Roman barracks and the foundations of the Norman cathedral, and learn about the Viking connections of the city. There are digital displays and interactive exhibits, including a replica of a 1,000-year-old elephant tusk that visitors can lift, and a small underground cinema showing behind-the-scenes footage of the Minster. Archaeological finds and objects from the cathedral's historic collection are on show. The space suits school-age children with an interest in history, and it works well as a rainy-day stop combined with a wider visit to the cathedral. Some items, including the York Gospels, are sometimes removed from display for services.