Why did the Vikings settle in Britain? Is it because they had travelled such a long way?

To answer this question, we need to look at the situation in the Vikings' homelands. According to the historian, Dr Anna Ritchie, fertile land was in short supply across Scandinavia, especially in Norway, thanks to the cold and harsh climate as well as a growing population. In contrast, Britain had a warmer, more favourable climate for farming, coupled with a wealth of fertile land. This prompted many Vikings to travel across the sea. Being established in Britain also made raiding easier: a Viking raider could support himself through farming and trade and then raid towns whenever the need arose. (See the first reference link provided).

This idea is also supported by the actions of Halfdan Ragnarsson, one of the commanders of the Great Heathen Army which conquered much of England in the ninth century. In 876, Halfdan became the ruler of a vast area in Northumbria and rewarded his men by granting them parcels of land to farm. (See the second reference link provided).