I visited UK's largest Viking festival with fierce battle re-enactments, fire dancing and walking on hot coals
Meanwhile, several people are preparing to march across hot coals to show their allegiance to Odin and the Norse gods.
8
8
8
But in their daily life, these warriors are actually income recovery specialists from Eastleigh, Hants, and a medical researcher from Cheshire.
For the weekend they have shed the shackles of normal life to become Viking warriors.
Medical researcher Andy Thurstan, 48, told The Sun: 'I saw the festival online and thought it looked like great fun. One thing led to another and suddenly I'm here in full Viking dress wearing proper Icelandic sheep's wool around my neck.
'It's a nice escape from normal life, and despite the reputation of Northmen, everyone is really friendly.'
Welcome to the UK's largest Viking festival, Valhalla, now in its fifth year, which attracts 5,000 people to Drummer Down Farm in Basingstoke, Hants, for a weekend of boozing, fight training and connecting with the old Norse gods.
Andy and pal Ken Hurley, 42, a caterer from Cheshire, have driven down for the 72-hour event, which offers everything from fierce battle reenactments to willow weaving.
The pair amble off to get themselves some mead, with wooden axes attached to their backs and swords strapped to their hips.
'The bones are from a KFC we had a few weeks ago'
While some attendees used Vinted and the internet to get costumes, other raiders have made them by hand.
Among the latter camp are Simon Jones and Helen Jones, both 54, who have upped the ante for their third year at the historical extravaganza.
Among the latter camp are Simon Jones and Helen Jones, both 54, who have upped the ante for their third year at the historical extravaganza.
Simon, from Bath, said: 'We've made our costumes. Some of the bones Helen is wearing are from a KFC we had a few weeks ago. Can't waste anything!
'Coming here is such a great experience. As a kid I used to go to Durdle Door Beach to make massive fires and cook meat.
'Here we can do that again with the loveliest people.
'Plus I can wave my axe when I want more ale during the feast.'
On Friday, the Vikings were welcomed with a special ceremony in the woodlands where all the different Norse gods blessed the festival.
As the chanting started and the drums began to beat, the wind picked up suddenly and a Northman dropped to one knee to propose.
Gareth Van De Merwe, 42, created a special axe with a wolf-shaped ring attached for Sarah Paul, 37, from Horncastle, Lincs.
As the onlookers cheer, she shouts out 'Yes', causing horns to be blown and shields banged.
8
8
At night, nearly 1,000 flock to a mead hall fit for a jarl — a Norse chieftain — to tear into platters of meat, cheese and bread while downing ale and mead.
Looking forward to the evening's festivities are sisters Debbie Burns, 34, and Vicki Hayes, 36, who are wearing hand-made feather headdresses that make them look like ancient priestesses.
Mental health worker Debbie, from Battle, East Sussex, told The Sun: 'This is my first time at the festival in this little fantasy world and I'm loving it.
'We've had our runes read and every single stall we've been to is really passionate about the craft they are showcasing or teaching.
'It's a weekend where you can just lose yourself.'
Support worker Vicki has met up with a friend she made here last year, Portuguese bar worker Adriana Ribeiro, 35.
She said: 'It's so lovely that you make friends that you can meet up with year after year and it never feels like any time has passed.'
Just behind the ladies, a queue is forming for the archery lessons.
To the right, screams ring out as wannabe Vikings hurl an axe at a target with all the strength they can muster. Many miss the target, and those that hit it struggle to throw it hard enough for it to stay embedded.
But the main attraction for many who have flown or driven to the event is the firewalking session, which trains participants to place their bare feet on hot coals.
John Young, 56, is a fifth-generation Northumbria farmer who discovered firewalking at a low point in his life — and claims it helped him heal.
Now, as an instructor, he brings the skill to other people to help them overcome their fears.
Before being able to walk the burning embers, those taking part are taught how to break an arrow by just stepping forward.
The bolt is placed tip first into the participant's neck, the end held in place with a wooden board. The warrior then takes two breaths and on the third steps forward causing the arrow to shatter.
'It's a chance to let go of the modern world'
Income recovery specialist Chrissie Blomley, 35, from Eastleigh, said: 'I didn't think I'd be able to do it.
'But I told myself 'f*** it' and stepped forward.
'Valhalla has been the best day out I've ever been on. It's so refreshing to see people being themselves. I've made friends for life today.'
Fellow arrow-breaker Lee Byrne, 52, from Gosport, Hants, said: 'You can feel the pressure from the tip of the arrow in your neck, but snapping it feels amazing when you take that step forward.'
Once the bolt has been shattered, it is time to trot over the glowing coals — and many people who walked the fire claimed they barely felt the heat.
For those who aren't ready to put their life — or their feet — on the line, they can watch others show off in the battle re-enactments which take place in the main arena.
8
8
8
As two rival clans face up to each other, crowds can be heard whooping and hollering as they bay for blood.
In this case, it's a tiny cut to Kevin McPhail's cheek suffered mid-battle. Leading Clan Magnus, the 35-year-old Northern Irish fighter and his team are putting on a show for the baying spectators.
They use a mix of axes, swords and pikes to recreate what a real battle would look like.
The clan even has an archer in the form of photocopier repair man Paul Sykes, 62, who is part of Peterborough's Wodens Hearth re- enactment group.
Also performing is James Parrish, 48, a tree surgeon from Lincs, but instead of taking part in the fake battle he is helping out with the firedancing by jumping though a flaming hoop.
During the day, though, he's teaching archery to Viking hopefuls with his son Brandon, 18, and welder Lee Hammond, 62, from Lincs. Those after something more spiritual are catered for as well with hand-fasting — a pagan wedding ritual — and naming ceremonies.
And to close? What else but a Viking boat burning.
A fireshow leads the way to the symbolic torching, and offerings are placed into the miniature version of a Viking longboat before it is set ablaze.
Reflecting on the weekend, Tarmac specialist Kyle Lette, 33, from Ipswich, tells The Sun: 'I've never felt more relaxed than when I'm here.
'It's a beautiful place and a chance to let go of the modern world.
'The second I step into Valhalla, my head clears. And I've not checked my phone once!'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
3 minutes ago
- The Independent
Vicky McClure issues four-word statement on Line of Duty rumours
Vicky McClure issued a four-word statement on the possibility of Line of Duty season seven after her co-star Adrian Dunbar said the show is poised to return next year after being left 'frustrated' by the finale. The pair appeared in Jed Mercurio's BBC crime drama as DI Kate Fleming and Superintendent Ted Hastings respectively from 2012 to 2021. Dunbar told The Times: "We're really excited about getting our hands on a Line of Duty script, to see what happens to us. 'Jed is writing. We've talked to the BBC." The series ended after the identity of "H" — a corrupt senior police officer — was revealed. "There's nothing to say," McClure told The One Show on Friday (1 August).
Daily Mail
3 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
A heartfelt celebration of Graham Thorpe and a disappointing Indian send-off for Ben Duckett: BUMBLE AT THE TEST
Day two of the final Test Match of an enthralling series between England and India finished in the balance on a drizzly day at The Oval where thousands remembered the late Graham Thorpe. After bowling the visitors out this morning, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett got England off to a flyer but the host's innings was ultimately a short one, ending on 247 early in the evening session. It left India an hour or so at the crease where they racked up a lead of 52 for the loss of two wickets, with captain Shubman Gill yet to walk out to bat. After a fascinating and drama-filled day in south London, Mail Sport delivers its latest edition of BUMBLE AT THE TEST. A heartfelt celebration of Graham Thorpe I was delighted to see the celebration for Graham Thorpe yesterday. It was a tragic end to his life but what a cricketer he was. Brave as a lion and popular in the dressing room. The trademark was the headband and it was never for show. Graham was the last lad that you'd think of who would wear one and it made me smile seeing the likes of Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton and so many more, sporting the headband in memory of Thorpey. An eyebrow-raising send off Once the batsman is dismissed, that should be the end. Akash Deep should not have put his arm around Ben Duckett and KL Rahul did the right thing by pulling him away. It's the last thing you want as a batsman. That kind of reaction should only be saved after a momentous innings or a milestone. When Fred Trueman took his 300th wicket, the batsman was Neil Hawke and he came up and shook Fred's hand. They went on to become great pals! Bumble and rural living It is steam fair season in North Yorkshire. And there must be a connection between steam fairs and cricket because I keep getting recognised. This weekend, we've got the Whitby Traction Engine Rally and Hebden Bridge Vintage Weekend. Anyways think of the one and only Lancashire steeplejack, Fred Dibnah, covered in oil and soot. What a sight. August is the season for rural living and country fairs. A Tongue-twister on Aussie soil? As Sir Alastair Cook was saying on the radio, to play against Josh Tongue is an absolute nightmare because you can't line him up. He doesn't know where he's going so neither does the batsman! That means that he is unplayable. If Tongue can keep it together with his pace, he will be a real handful. The Aussies will be thinking 'This lad doesn't know what he's doing, so what chance have I?' Talk to someone, it helps In praise of Test Match Special and Jonathan Agnew, who is still going strong and quite an outstanding broadcaster. Keep going old boy. Well done to TMS for tackling mental health during the lunch break with some real thought-provoking discussion. We have problems in cricket and the bottom line is that it is good to talk. I know countless cricketers who have suffered. Sadly, it is a real illness. The greats impressed by Gus A solid welcome back for Gus Atkinson, who was by far the pick of the England attack. I remember seeing him live at an ILT20 game in the United Arab Emirates and don't take my word on it. Ian Bishop, Simon Doull, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis all sat up and said 'Who is this?'. At that time, Atkinson was getting the odd game for Surrey. He is more than capable with the bat too so make no mistake, he is a massive asset for England. Now that's village! To village cricket. The essence of rural areas. They don't play in leagues. They just play against each other. Now here's a story from this week when Arncliffe played Kettlewell in North Yorkshire. They had no stumps but found three in a derelict barn, so they put them in at one end and put a jacket down at the other end. At the end of the over, they switched it around. That's proper village cricket.
Daily Mail
3 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
How an ex-ballerina finally tamed rock's wildest philanderer... At 82, Mick Jagger has never been happier with girlfriend Mel, 38, and are even talking of having another baby 'if fate allows'
Mick Jagger almost skipped down the street to his 82nd birthday party. He had certainly never looked happier than at the bash last Friday, where most of his offspring and exes had gathered. Jerry Hall, his partner for 22 years, was there along with three of their four children, Lizzie, 41, Georgia, 33 and Gabriel, 27. Also present at the Rex Rooms in London's Notting Hill was Luciana Morad, the Brazilian model whose fling with the Rolling Stone frontman in 1998 produced a son, Lucas, now 26 and also represented the final straw for Jerry – all of which seems to be long forgotten now. And who organised this diplomatic feat? Mick's former ballerina girlfriend Melanie Hamrick, 38, who was there in high spirits and even higher heels. She and Mick have been together for 11 years and engaged for three. Although friends don't expect a marriage any time soon – he is said to be completely marriage-phobic – they 'couldn't be happier', I'm told, and have even talked about the possibility of having another baby together 'if fate allows'. Their son Deveraux, known as Devi, is eight and Mick is a late convert to the joys of settled, monogamous domesticity. A source said: 'With people of Mick's age, the ability to go off and cheat is disappearing rapidly, so all of these old rockers like Rod Stewart and Mick and Ronnie Wood are now settling down. 'The thing about her – Melanie's secret – is that she bends like a ballerina to his every wish. I would say that of all of his girlfriends she has been the smartest of the lot. As the song goes, she gives him what he needs.' But Melanie – who danced with the American Ballet Theatre for 15 years before retiring in 2019 – is certainly no pushover. In the early days of her romance with Mick she deftly saw off the threat of a younger rival in the form of socialite Noor Alfallah, 31, who was also rumoured to be seeing him for a while – and later went on to have a baby with Godfather actor Al Pacino, 85. Melanie then set about building bridges with all of his exes in ways that suggest some impressive diplomatic skills. A friend of Melanie's says: 'I think the ballet world, which is kind of weird and friendless, was probably the perfect preparation for life as a Rolling Stone's consort. It's a very male world, very sexist, you need to be tough. Yes, she gets on great with Jerry and with all of the exes. She has taken trouble to get to know all the kids as well and they all like her too, so that helps.' Unknown to most, the Jagger family spend most of their life in France, dividing their time between Mick's home in Paris and his vast, 17th century chateau, La Fourchette, in the Loire valley. 'She and the kid are with him all the time, and he likes the company,' Melanie's friend says. 'They have a real family life.' But their Parisian home does have a bitter-sweet history. The Left Bank apartment was where Mick lived with his former lover L'Wren Scott, the fashion designer who died by suicide in 2014. L'Wren had business troubles and there was talk of trouble in their relationship, too, although sources denied they had broken up before her death. Mick has never forgotten L'Wren and this April, he wished her a 'Happy Birthday' on his Instagram. L'Wren, who was highly driven and creative, created the Paris house in her image, and picked out much of the furniture. And now Melanie is sitting at her dining room table, with her blonde 'mini-Mick' Devi at her side. Melanie has written two 'bonkbuster' novels set in the ballet world, but because they spend so much time in France, a source tells me: 'Melanie is currently learning French because Mick speaks French well, and the kid now speaks French too.' 'At this point there isn't a focus on having her own career which is unlike his other serious romances, such as with L'Wren, and they are very compatible and share a lot of interests. Fitness is the number one among them. And she hardly eats, like him.' The source adds: 'She is not a demander, she just likes being Mick's girlfriend. She does not put him under pressure about getting married, that seems not to be a priority for her.' The pair met in February 2014 when he was in Tokyo with the Stones and she was touring with the American Ballet Theatre. At the time she was engaged to a classical dancer. They were first spotted together on the balcony of the Dolder Grand hotel in Zurich, 11 weeks after L'Wren's death. Melanie (pictured) has written two 'bonkbuster' novels set in the ballet world, but because they spend so much time in France, a source tells me: 'Melanie is currently learning French because Mick speaks French well, and the kid now speaks French too' Melanie (pictured with Mick at a State Banquet at Windsor Castle on July 8, 2025) told You magazine in 2018: 'He's the most incredible, wonderful, loving father, and, to me, he's the most wonderful man in the world' A year later it seemed Noor had come onto the scene. One report suggests that in May 2016, when Mick was in LA recording, he and Noor spent nights at the five-star Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills. But seven months after this reported sighting, Melanie gave birth to Deveraux, his eighth child, in December 2016, and Noor faded into the background. Melanie told You magazine in 2018: 'He's the most incredible, wonderful, loving father, and, to me, he's the most wonderful man in the world.' As for his notorious wandering eye, she said: 'I feel very secure in my relationship. There will always be rumours, but I know what Mick and I have so I don't pay any attention.' Melanie's 'don't-ask-don't-tell' policy seems to have served her well. Jerry Hall, now 69, was tortured by jealousy during their years together, particularly over Mick's affair in the early 1990s with supermodel Carla Bruni, who went on to marry former French president Nicolas Sarkozy. Mick has actually been married only once – to Nicaraguan social activist Bianca in 1971. They had a daughter Jade, now 53, and divorced in 1978, with Mick's affair with Jerry cited as the reason. His 1990 Hindu marriage in Bali to Jerry was later declared null and void after they split in 1999. L'Wren Scott got a giant ring for her ring finger, but they were never officially engaged. But things are different with Melanie. This engagement was celebrated with family and friends and Jerry was one of the first people she told. In April this year, Melanie confirmed she had been engaged for 'two or three years'. Her work as an author is very much part-time, and she delights in her principal role as Mick's consort and the mother to his child. She and Devi came along for much of his tour last year and they are in London this summer while he works on a new Stones album. Melanie also accompanied him to Windsor Castle for the state visit of Emmanuel Macron. Another line Melanie has learned not to cross is the matter of Mick's advancing years. If there was a cake at his birthday celebration this week, you can safely bet there weren't 82 candles ablaze on it. 'One thing which she never does is talk about his age or about the age gap. That does not exist as a topic,' a source said. And so it seems Mel has cracked the code to a happy ever after with Mick Jagger.
