DIG: an archaeological adventure DIG: an archaeological adventure, St Saviourgate, York YO1 8NN, UK

DIG is an educational resource owned by the York Archaeological Trust which aims to increase understanding of archaeology and related matters. DIG is based in St Saviour's Church, one of York's medieval churches, which became redundant in the 1950s.

DIG is a hands-on archaeological adventure giving kids the chance to become trainee ‘diggers’ and discover the most exciting artefacts from 2000 years of York’s history!

With four special in-door excavation pits, all based on real-life digs in the city and filled with replica Roman, Viking, medieval and Victorian finds, children can grab a trowel and explore how people lived in these times.

Starting your training in our Briefing Hut you will learn about about the world of archaeology & what you will be doing during your DIG adventure.

Once you’re briefed it’s time to visit the DIG pits and start uncovering the past!

Admissions and Shop Access

Our admissions area is accessed from street level and the shop is situated to the right of the admissions area. There is not normally a large queue for entry but, in that event, visitors with disabilities or additional access needs do not have to wait in the queue.

Please make yourself known to the staff member at the till and they will serve you as soon as possible.

Access Information for Wheelchair Users

There is full access for wheelchair users throughout DIG. Due to space restrictions on tours, numbers may be limited per tour if there are multiple wheelchair users, but there are no such restrictions when visiting the rest of the attraction.

Our admissions area has a stone floor so it is not a perfectly smooth surface. There is an accessible height section of the admissions desk with prices also at this level.

There are ramps to access the dig pit area and the rest of the floors through the ground floor of the attraction are smooth surfaces.

The lift to the first floor can only carry one wheelchair user plus an adult.

Accessible Toilets

We have one standard accessible toilet located past the admissions desk towards the back of the building. It is only accessible with a Radar key, however the admissions staff can give you access to it. This toilet has a left hand transfer space, support rails next to the toilet, emergency pull chord and accessible height sink with lever taps.

Guide and Assistance Dogs

Guide and assistance dogs are welcome at the DIG. Dog bowls are available at the front desk; please ask a member of staff.

Visitors who are blind or have visual impairments

The DIG tour is fully guided by a member of staff and very tactile.

You may also find one of our volunteers with a handling collection in our gallery area, to bring the artefacts to life.

A large print guide of the exhibition-only area is available

We do have a small number of ear defenders if it is a particularly noisy day at DIG. You can request use of these from the admissions desk.

Visitors who are deaf or have hearing impairments

Currently, there are no additional provisions for visitors who are deaf or have hearing impairments at DIG.

We would recommend visiting on a weekend out of the holidays as these are our quieter days.

Other Facilities for Visitors with Additional Needs

Seating is available in several areas of the attraction. If you have a wait time before a tour, there is an exhibitions space, activities area and garden on the ground floor to spend time.  We also have our under 5s area, classroom and balcony space on the first floor that you can use at anytime during your visit (subject to availability) as a quiet space.

Please ask a member of our team at the front desk which spaces are available for breaks on the day you visit.

DIG operate a sticker system for visitors with autism should you wish to participate. If you are wearing a red sticker it shows you do not wish to be approached, a yellow sticker means you would like staff to answer questions when asked, green or no sticker means you are happy to be approached and spoken to. Please request one of these at admissions if this will benefit your visit.

Access Information for Visitors with Young Children

There is no admissions charge for visitors under 5 and pushchairs are welcome in the attraction. Due to the active nature of the tour and space restrictions, you are encouraged to leave your pushchair in the pushchair store located next to the lift when going on tour.

There is an under 5s area on the first floor with toys and books to spend time with young children. The lift to the first floor can carry one pushchair plus an adult at a time.

Our baby changing facilities are located in the accessible toilet. You will need to ask a member of staff for the key.

Breast feeding is welcome in our attraction. If you prefer to do this somewhere private, we may have quiet spaces available; please ask a member of our team at the front desk which spaces are accessible on the day you visit.