Events

In 3 days

Papplewick 1940s Steam Event

Ravenshead, Nottinghamshire

Steam museum and 1940s living history

An established event with encampments, skirmishes, period vehicles and a clear event contact route.

In 3 days

1940s Steam Event

Ravenshead, East Midlands

Public event

Papplewick’s hugely popular 1940s steam event returns for its seventeenth year, featuring: An array of military and civilian re-enactors Displays and encampments Period vehicles Trade stalls Plus, the popular Cooling Pond live action skirmishes each day at 2pm Live entertainment from Jayne Darling & Kevin Mac (Saturday) and Johnny Victory & Lula May (Sunday). Food from Spud Worlds Lincoln Green brewery

In 10 days

Saxon Sagas

West Horsley, South East England

Public event

Discover West Horsley Place’s earliest history through historic food tastings, crafts and re-enactment storytelling. Explore a time when the lord of the manor was a Saxon thegn called Beortsighe with our special guests Herigeas Hundas and Jane's Historical Kitchen. Explore the Manor House on a free flow route with expert stewards available to tell you the history of the site. Herigeas Hundas portray Anglo Saxon life in the 5th - 7th century, through living history crafts and thrilling combat displays. With talented crafts folk showcasing weaving, healing, dyeing, music, spinning, woodworking and smithing, Herigeas Hundas are able to bring the history of the 'Dark Ages' to life. Jane's Historical Kitchen will take over our ancient kitchen, whipping up authentic Saxons recipes and drinks for you to try.

In 5 weeks

WWI Remembered

Wythenshawe, North West England

Public event

A special heritage open day focusing on the First World War as part of the hall's year-long centenary programming exploring different eras of its history. Living history displays and interpretations, including participation from groups like the Manchester Regiment living history associations.

In 7 weeks

Crewe's Christmas: Living History Festival

West Horsley, South East England

Public event

A 1940s Christmas-themed living history weekend at West Horsley Place. Visitors can explore the manor house dressed for a 1940s Christmas, see the letters of 40 evacuee children who spent Christmas 1939 there, learn how close the manor came to being destroyed by wartime bombing, sample 1940s festive food from Jane's Historical Kitchen, and watch an immersive performance of Swan Lake staged throughout the house.

In 2 months

1940s Christmas

National Emergency Services Museum, Sheffield

Wartime and emergency-services living history in a Christmas setting.

In 4 months

Battle of Nantwich

Nantwich, North West England

Public event

Holly Holy Day takes us back to the seventeenth century and the four-year long first English civil war between Parliamentarians (AKA Roundheads) and the Royalists (AKA Cavaliers) loyal to Charles I. The war broke out in 1642 and soon afterwards, in January 1643, Parliamentarians took the town of Namptwiche (Cheshire’s second town and important because of its strategic position on the road to Chester where Royalist reinforcements from Ireland could be landed).

In 4 months

Jorvik Viking Festival

York, Yorkshire and the Humber

Public event

This world renowned festival features living history encampments, workshops, tours, traditional crafts, feasts, family events, evening entertainment and dramatic combat performances.

In 6 months

No Mans Land

Rhyl, Wales

Public event

No Man’s Land is a unique living history and re-enactment event, showcasing vehicles, uniforms, weapons and curios from Ancient Greece to the modern day. As well as vehicle and firing displays, there will be a chance to walk among and talk to over 1,000 re-enactors.

In 6 months

Tudor Takeover

London, London

Public event

Get ready to step into Tudor England for a weekend of fun, history, and a bit of royal drama. Our grounds, the Chapel, and the beautiful Painted Hall will be buzzing with activity as re‑enactors bring the Tudor court back to life. Across the weekend, you can wander through our historic market and living history camp, enjoy Tudor music and dancing, and catch exciting historic military demonstrations. Keep an eye out for our added experiences such as talks and interactive experiences. You’ll also get the chance to meet Queen Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII as they go about their day — talking with subjects, making big decisions, and occasionally… being in a mood.

In 7 months

International Living History Festival

Waltham Abbey, South East England

Public event

Set within the extraordinary historic landscape of Royal Gunpowder Mills, visitors are invited to enjoy an unforgettable family day out — or make a full weekend of it and explore everything the site has to offer. The historic buildings, woodland spaces and industrial remains will form the backdrop to immersive living history displays spanning from prehistory through to the 20th century. With over 300 re-enactors, working alongside Ratcliffe’s Heritage Events, more than 40 living history camps will be established across the site. Alongside this, visitors can enjoy hands-on activities, arena displays, and a historically themed market, offering a truly interactive journey into the past.

In 7 months

Avoncroft Living History Festival

Bromsgrove, West Midlands

Public event

It’s time…..to Time Travel! as Avoncroft Museum will come to life as over 40 of the best in Living History re-enactment groups set up over 40 camps in and around the historic buildings, representing life from the Stone Age, through the Viking era to the 1940’s and beyond. Over 300 reenactors will set up over 40 Camps all over the 19-acre site which is also the home to over 30 Historical Buildings and structures spanning 700 years. There will also be trader stalls, selling historically inspired artefacts from jewellery and hats to handmade tools, costumes and cloth to historic pottery, Mead-makers among the traders.

In 7 months

Wartime Britain

Lyneham, South West England

Public event

This weekend always promises to be an amazing day out exploring the equipment, military life and home front culture experienced by many during World War II. Every year we add something bigger and better, with more re-enactment groups and exciting performances. Join us for a Victory-worthy 1940s event featuring... 1940s costume and decoration, Re-enactors and living history groups telling the stories of those who lived, served and fought in WW2, WW2-era vehicles from the museum’s Reserve Vehicle Collection, private collectors and enthusiasts around the country, 'Live' demonstrations of WW2 equipment, including firearms, munitions and more (subject to groups attending and availability of equipment), Wartime musical performances and 1940s dance performances

In 8 months

Haworth / Keighley & Worth Valley Railway 1940s Weekend

Haworth, West Yorkshire

A major railway and village event with re-enactors, military displays, period vehicles and a wartime railway atmosphere.

In 9 months

Wartime in the Vale

Ashdown Camp, Evesham, Worcestershire

Military vehicles, First and Second World War camps, battles and living-history displays.

In 9 months

Damhouse 1940s Weekend

Manchester, North West England

Public event

Celebrate all things 1940's, with a weekend jam packed with entertainment, re-enactors, vintage stalls, military vehicles, vintage cars and much more. This event is free to attend.

In 9 months

The Viking Festival

Derby, East Midlands

Public event

This one-off event will bring together Viking re-enactors from across the country and the world, to recreate a large Viking army encampment, full of craftsmen, traders and warriors, allowing visitors to step back a thousand years, to when England was under threat from fierce Viking invaders. It's an interactive day, full of things to see and do, for adults and kids: Watch and talk to period craftsmen at work, see Viking boats up close and meet their crews and peruse and buy the exotic goods for sale at the Viking market.

In 9 months

Tewkesbury Medieval Festival

Tewkesbury, South West England

Public event

Tewkesbury Medieval Festival is widely regarded as the biggest free Medieval gathering in Europe with over 2000 re-enactors and traders travelling from as far afield as France, Poland, Belgium, Spain, Italy, and Germany. Many live in full Medieval style for the weekend and welcome visitors to the living history camps around the battlefield, King Edward’s camp on Windmill Hill, and Queen Margaret’s camp in Bloody Meadow. The re-enactors cook over open fires, fettle their armour ready for battle, weave, sew, play Medieval board games, whittle spoons, and a myriad of other things. In our large Medieval market you can buy anything from a full harness of armour or cooking range to a bottle of mead or a leather belt. We also have a large exhibition tent where you will find displays from historical societies