Learn about the ways of the Vikings at Borg in Lofoten, Norway Photo: sherifftv.no

Viking life in Norway

Learn about the ways of the Vikings, as David Spinx’s life takes a dramatic turn at the chieftain's longhouse at Borg in Lofoten.

Facts

The Viking Era lasted from around 800 to 1066, when Harald Hardråde unsuccessfully tried to conquer England.

UK television actor David Spinx is getting more than he bargained for from his tour of Northern Norway. He has been caught by the Vikings at Borg, and gets to experience life as a medieval serf.

The Vikings have prepared a special reciption for their guest from the faraway British Isles. Spinx feels there is something strange going on. And he is right:

- I knew it, says Spinx when the chieftain tells his guests that he has an Englishman for sale.

You need to watch the film to see how it goes.

Visiting the Viking Museum

You will not get caught and enslaved when coming to the Viking Museum at Borg, as Spinx has experienced. But if you book ahead, you can arrange a full banquet for your party, where everyone gets the chance to dress up in traditional Viking costunes. You will be welcomed by the chieftain, be served what the Vikings ate and drank, and even get a chance to chat with a living Viking about their costumes, traditions and folk stories,

The Viking Museum at Borg in the Lofoten Islands is a reconstruction of an 83 metre long house that was erected on the same site around 500 AD. There is also a reconstruction of the famous Gogstadskipet Viking Ship waiting for visitors to take them out on the fjord.

The chieftain's longhouse is divided into three sections; one is where the Vikings cooked food, made clothes and did all other kinds of indoor work. Here you get to learn about their everyday lives.

The next section is where they ate and held their parties. If you have not booked a full Viking dinner, you will still be able to buy a Viking soup.

Finally there is a third section offering exhibitions.

Where to stay in the Lofoten Islands

The Lofoten Islands are known for the old fishermen's cabins ("rorbuer") that have been restored and turned into modern accommodation for travellers. Find a fishermen’s cabin, hotel or campsite in the Lofoten Islands.

What to do in the Lofoten Islands

Explore the Lofoten Islands on foot, go rafting in the Trollfjord and visit Lofotr Viking Museum. Taste stockfish and be amazed by the midnight sun. Find out what to do in the Lofoten.

Getting to the Lofoten Islands and around

There are daily flights into the three airports in the Lofoten Islands. Travelling around the Lofoten Islands is most easily done by car, bike and ferries. Find means of transportation to and in the Lofoten Islands.

Stories for Life is produced by Sheriff Film Company.