In partnership with bestselling How to Train Your Dragon author Cressida Cowell
Visitors might want to duck when they visit York’s DIG: An Archaeological Adventure from today (Monday 21 July 2025), as a dragon has been spotted swooping overhead! But don’t worry – it is (reasonably) well trained at the new How to Train Your Dragon School exhibition.
The new exhibition has been created in partnership with Cressida Cowell and publishers Hachette Children’s Group, based on the recently launched How to Train Your Dragon School book – the second installment of which will launch in 2026. The dragon soars overhead a replica Viking fishing boat – inspired by The Hopeful Puffin, the boat belonging to the star of the book series, Hiccup.
“This is a brilliant new addition to DIG, and we are confident that our young visitors will absolutely love engaging with the fantastical version of the Viking world created by Cressida,” comments director of public engagement for York Archaeology, Gareth Henry. “There are so many different ways to engage with the content, from QR codes linked to videos where Cressida introduces each of the dragons, to a storytelling tent. We have some of the original artwork from the books on display, as well as a large wall-filling hand-painted map of the Isle of Berk.”
Dig for Dragon Treasures
In a nod to DIG’s archaeological ‘dig pits’ – which are a firm favourite amongst visitors to the attraction – a new pit encourages visitors to grab a trowel and uncover items that feature in the book.
Cressida will be visiting DIG to celebrate the exhibition and for an event for fans on Thursday 21 August 2025. Book tickets for How to Train Your Dragon School: Writing Magic with Cressida Cowell here.
Naomi Berwin, Hachette Children’s Group Marketing Director says: ‘‘How to Train Your Dragon is directly inspired by the Vikings in Britain, so DIG’s focus on giving children the opportunity literally to dig into York’s history, which is of course so connected to the Vikings, makes them the perfect partner for the launch year of How to Train Your Dragon School. This is going to be a really special interactive experience for families visiting the attraction.”
Interest in the new exhibition is expected to be especially high as young people dash to bookstores to pick up copies of the whole How to Train Your Dragon series, which was the inspiration for both the blockbuster live action movie currently in cinemas, and, the animated DreamWorks film trilogy.,
DIG is open daily from 10am to 4pm, with admission prices of £10.50 for adults and £9.50 for children. Family tickets are available for £32 for a family of four (two adults and two children), or £37 for five (two adults and three children). Under 5s are free. Prebooking is recommended as timeslots are expected to book up quickly – visit the DIG website or call 01904 615505.
York Archaeology’s Passport, which includes visits to JORVIK Viking Centre and Barley Hall, are also available. For more details, visit the Pastport section on the DIG website.
