Viking: Rediscover the Legend Here at The Atkinson

York Helmet – Image © Anthony Chappel-Ross

Saturday 31 March – Saturday 7 July 2018

The Atkinson in Southport has been chosen as the only North West venue to display the new Vikings exhibition in partnership with the British Museum and the Yorkshire Museum..

The most significant Viking treasure hoards ever discovered in Britain will be on display together for the first time from May 2017. Star objects from the British Museum will feature alongside the Yorkshire Museum’s world-class collections and will be interpreted in new ways to give a fresh perspective on how Vikings shaped every aspect of life in Britain.

It will include the most famous Viking collections in this country, including the Vale of York Viking Hoard, Cuerdale Hoard and the Bedale Hoard.

It will also feature ground-breaking research by archaeologists and new discoveries by metal-detectorists which will challenge our perceptions of what it means to be Viking.

It opens at Yorkshire Museum and then tours to the University of Nottingham, The Atkinson, Southport, Aberdeen Art Gallery, and Norwich Castle Museum, from May 2017 until September 2019.

Natalie Buy, curator of archaeology at the Yorkshire Museum, said:

“This is a unique opportunity to see some of the best Viking treasures in the UK displayed together for the first time. It will feature stand out loans from the British Museum alongside our fantastic collections, combined with new research, new technology and exciting displays. It will also be the first time the most significant Viking Hoards ever found in this country will be on display together in the same place.”

Maria Bojanowska, Dorset Foundation Head of National Programmes at the British Museum, said:
“The British Museum is delighted to be working in partnership with the Yorkshire Museum on this exciting exhibition. Viking: Rediscover the Legend will shed new light on some of the most significant Viking Hoards to be found in this country. With the support of the Dorset Foundation, we are able to tour the exhibition to the University of Nottingham Museum, The Atkinson, Southport, Aberdeen Art Gallery and Norwich Castle Museum, and share these stories with as many people as possible across the UK.”

Emma Anderson, The Atkinson Director said:
“This is a huge success story for The Atkinson and for Sefton as a cultural tourist destination and the Atkinson has been chosen as the only North West venue to host this incredible exhibition. We expect this exhibition to attract visitors from all over the region and beyond to see this rare and unique collection in one place. 2018 is the 10 year anniversary of Liverpool ‘s Capital of Culture and this nationally significant exhibition highlights the significance of the Liverpool City Region’s arts and cultural offer both for the economy and for education.”