The York Dungeon, Merlin Entertainments Reviews

Some advice before you go:
1) Are you Claustrophobic? If so, don't go! All the rooms are small, dark and cramped ('The Golden Fleece Pub' room/show is especially enclosed & claustrophobic). The ceilings in many of the rooms/shows are low. There are no windows at all, no natural lighting, the doors are closed and only opened for entry/exit between each room. You are in a group of approx 30 people shoulder to shoulder, so no room to breathe. The 'show' rooms get hot & stuffy where you may find it hard to catch your breath.The connecting passageways are very dark & narrow with low ceilings. You can feel very 'boxed in' and unable to escape. Exits are not obvious due to subdued lighting.
2) Also, if you are unable to stand up for most of the 70 mins then don't go. There is seating in 'The Plague Doctor' room & 'The Highwayman' room, but you are standing in all the other rooms.
3) Are you unable to see very well in low to very low lighting? Don't go. If, like me, it takes you a while for your eyes to adjust to the very low level lighting (if at all!), then you will find it very difficult walking on the uneven & sloping floors. I tripped up a few times on the uneven floor. I knocked into the sides of the wall (e.g. at the 'Mirrored Passageway/Maze') where I have a bruise on my left shoulder. I also had a door fall on me in-between rooms as the person in front of me didn't hold the door for me and I couldn't see it closing because there isn't enough lighting to see safely. You are forbidden to use the lighting on your mobile phone.
4) It also goes without saying that if you don't like to be in complete pitch black darkness for at least 7 full minutes at one point during 'The Highwayman' & for quite a few other mins during some of the other rooms/shows, then don't go.

On a positive note, the 'shows' are done very well; the decor & props are great and the actors are superb & very professional. There are a few 'boo' elements to the stories, but it is not scary (though some children under 10 may not like it). Nearly 30 pounds for 2 adults is a bit pricey imho. However, the reason I've given 2 stars is because the 4 main points above should be made very clear to the public. It should be listed on the front page of the York Dungeon website, as well as being displayed on a poster on the front door to the building (or visible in the foyer where you purchase tickets). It would also be very useful to be warned of all of these issues in the 'holding pen' area (after the photos) via the speaker announcements. At least people will know what to expect and to be prepared.

Loved it! A funny, scary time with great performers and a safe experience which managed to adhere to distancing rules.

Funny, scary, brilliant! Don't remember when last time l was laughing so much! Enjoyed every story, every show! Love it

Some actors are a bit silly and offending. Nothing similar too London dungeon, very silly special effects. For the price I will not bother

Had an absolute scream at the dungeons!! Staff are lovely and really funny! Recommend as a group or as a couple, just a bit of fun!! Enjoy!!

Good experience, good staff/actors, but a little limited by the listed building they are in.
Ranked next to Edinburgh and Amsterdam this would place 3rd. If you love the dungeon experience, check out Yorks own flavour.

Really great fun for all. They have great actors that really engage with their audience. Its not to scary but there are a few jump scares. It keeps you on your feet guessing whats going to happen next.

Very good experience. Quite funny when they pull you out of the tour to become part of the tour.

What you would expect from a dungeon experience. Good actors, fun, probably not something you would do twice.

Really worth a visit, it's hilarious and very informative of York's history. I especially loved Dick Turpin!

Exceptional in every way ! Had a so much fun in our visit. We will be back for more really soon.

A fantastic attraction that is well worth a visit. A brilliantly put together show with a few scares and some humour. The staff really do give it their all and it really shows.
Be prepared to be asked as a volunteer, I was but I had a laugh.
A wonderful place to visit and kudos to the staff as they really do make the place what it is.

Excellent for the kids, good fun and a few scares to make you laugh. Well worth a visit

Good place, but don't take your kids there as there is a good chance they'll freak out!

Brilliant time.If you like to scream like a girl you have to go there !

The ride at the end was a bit of a let down but overall was very good and the story's fascinating

Was very nice done, you have to speak the English language and understand the dialect. Otherwise you will miss the nice word jokes.

Brilliant day out with amazing actors and a little history splashed in! Jumpy in places but they were really good if you have disabilities or a bad back! Really a great idea for family fun and a memorable experience. Staff were all hugely fun and friendly. Strongly recommended.

Absolutely fabulous time there. Staff amazing. Had such a laugh, would definitely recommend.

Wonderful. Excellent performances all round. Very entertaining. Not for those who need to sit regularly.

Quite scary, very funny, be prepared to join in. Quite pricey but worth it.

Great fun, spooky, scary and funny at the same time. Worth a visit

An excellent attraction, very amusing. The staff play their roles really well. The humour was quite adult in parts so may not really be suitable for children of a certain age. However, lots of surprises at most levels which caused a lot of hilarity but could have done with being slightly shorter, it was about 90 mins which was beginning to become a problem with aching joints with us oldies. All in all though, a must see attraction.

Bunch of fake walls, flashing on and off lights, loads of talking and mirrors. Ta.

Went to dungeons in Blackpool last year,this was just the same,still a decent tour.

The staff were very friendly & the acting was top class, spooky but we did laugh most of the way round.
Highly recommended

Great place, very informative and mostly historically accurate. Great place to bring kids as long as they won't get too scared! Very interactive but they can't involved everyone so try to go in small groups if you want everyone to have a go. Doesn't have a ride like the London Dungeons which is acceptable as it is not as big. Gift shop is a bit pricey.

Really fun! The actors stay in character all the time and get everyone involved

Brilliant afternoon's entertainment! (due to the rain we visited)
Staff (actors) were brilliant! Funny, scarey, informative, entertaining and totally recommended!!

Absolutely brilliant, good laugh, good screams and lots of giggles at the photos at the end! Definitely recommend!

Very good! We were startled a few times. Quite funny!

Went to York dungeons with my sister as a birthday treat while in York for the day shopping. So glad we went, it's was scary and hilarious all rolled into one. A great experience that I'd highly recommend

Really enjoyable, great acting and sets. Takes maybe a couple of hours. Look out for offers and vouchers as full price is a bit expensive though hence dropping a star (we went to castle museum 1st and got a good deal).

Great fun. Not for younge children but anyone over 12 will love it. Sorry gory.

I visit this place every time I come to York twice a year.... won t get bored it s amazing

Second time I've been there enjoyed it both times. A must see place

Excellent, especially if you take Frome from other countries!

This was my first Dungeon experience and it won't be my last! Super fun with lots of laughter and scares along the way. Staff were absolutely excellent.

What an excellent time we had here. Actors costumes and make up are really good. Many different rooms you though with audiance participation takes just over an hour. I was in stitches all time.. i pre booked tickets on line and are much cheaper. Really worth a visit

Frightfully exciting. A fab place to go. Not too good for young children. A bit too scary for my boys who entered the building, then decided they didn't want to do it! They were 8 at the time. I've been going to this Dungeon since I was a teenager and it's always been amazing.

Had a great time, the witch room was the best bit for me, really made me jump, good actors and loads to see. Would recommend.

Fantastic scary well worth the money have to give it a hour after for nerves to settle down

Always fun and cracking staff. Bit on the pricey side for merch which is why I've rated 4/5 but everything else about the place is awesome.

Atraction like no other, would recommend to others.

1st time for me, 2nd for my partner. We both realy enjoyed it. Very entertaining and interesting stories

A most enjoyable time was had the interaction with dungeon staff was great

Super entertaining! Some scares, some laughs. Group felt a little large, made parts feel crowded. All around though, quite fun- we plan to hit the one in London next!

So good. Had such a laugh and the actors are great!

A must do. Fun and friendly. An amazing experience.

Well worth a visit, went to York just for this, didn't disappoint

Many young wannabe actors doing their best, but trying too hard to teach their grandmothers how to suck eggs. The history, to many of my party, was well known. We were expecting actual dungeons, not a theatrical history lesson in fabricated rooms.

We love dungeons.Not that big as London one but quite good

It was ok. Restrictions applying due to covid so full experience not possible. Funny/scary at times. Actors are good. Good for a visit.

Staff/actors are amazing really add to the experience good value for money especially if you pre book online for discount, the hole tour takes just over a hour

It was ok, some of the actors weren't the best and relied on shouting more than their characterisation. There were also less recognisable characters and their stories for them to use than in somewhere like Edinburgh. So a slight disappointment, with a couple of stand out sections. The plague Dr was definitely the best part of the entire thing. He was outstanding!

I've never Done anything Like this before so I don't know what to expect. The place is Easy enough to Find. With many signs post all over the town.
When we get there, the receptionist is Friendly and Welcoming. Then there's another staff who'll take your pictures with Viking or other props if you want to ( we opted out ).
The tour itself is so much Fun, Full of Knowledge and So Theatrical it really is something I would recommend..
The Staffs definitely done their Best.
I Will definitely coming back with the whole family in the summertime..

Had a great time at the dungeon well recommended going for a visit

Fantastic the actors are brilliant and get you involved

Previously visited the dungeon in Edinburgh which was lively but enjoyed this one far more as much better executed by the actors and actresses

Great experience, well worth doing. Funny, informative and if you're near the front be prepared for a bit of audience participation.

Excellent my 12 year old didn't think it would be scary but he never let go of my hand all the way through.