Britain's best historical reenactments – and how to visit them
There is something endlessly fascinating about key battles that shape a country's destiny: Hastings, Naseby and the Battle of Britain to name just a few.
While the masses will happily immerse themselves in these historical events through museums and exhibitions, real enthusiasts – and there are more than you think – love nothing better than to take part in re-enactments of these titanic clashes, while dressing in the costumes and living the lifestyle of the relevant time.
Such is their passion that they like to share it with others. There are multiple historical re-enactment events in the UK and many are open to visitors.
You cannot simply turn up and take part – being a re-enactor takes a great deal of training – but you can go and watch and get a sense of what it might have been like. You might even get to throw the odd axe or two. The following 10 events give a flavour. Forward, march!
England
Battle of Hastings
East Sussex
The most famous of all battles fought on English soil, the showdown in October 1066 between Anglo-Saxon King Harold and William, the Norman conqueror, is commemorated with a re-enactment involving some 300 warriors on the Sussex field where the fighting took place. In addition to witnessing the action, visitors can wander around the Anglo-Saxon and Norman camps, watch weapon makers and log choppers and get a sense (and smell) of what they would have eaten. Children can try their hands at archery or sword fighting.
The details
October 11-12, £24 (adult); £7.50 (English Heritage members)
Where to stay
The Gallivant in Rye (01797 225057) has double rooms from £245, including breakfast.
Tewkesbury Medieval Festival
Gloucestershire
Ever since 1983, the market town of Tewkesbury has hosted a commemoration of the Battle of Tewkesbury (May 1471), one of several key turning points in the War of the Roses between the houses of York and Lancaster. In addition to a reenactment of the battle itself (won by the Yorkists), participants set up authentic medieval-era encampments complete with banners, tents, board games and bottles of mead. Fancy trying on a suit or armour? This is the place.
The details
July 12 to 13, free, tewkesburymedievalfestival.co.uk
Where to stay
Tewkesbury Park Hotel (01684 295405) has double rooms from £140 including breakfast.
Battle of Naseby
Northamptonshire
In the mid-17th century, England was convulsed in another bloody civil war. This one – between the royalist forces led by King Charles and the parliamentarians of Oliver Cromwell – saw many ups and downs before the decisive defeat of the monarchists at Naseby in 1645. This event, staged by the Sealed Knot – the oldest re-enactment society in the UK – involves cannon and musket fire as hundreds of infantrymen, artillery and cavalry troops go head-to-head. There are weapon displays and fascinating glimpses into the way people lived in the 17th century.
The details
May 25 to 26, £10 (adult); £20 (family), thesealedknot.org.uk
Where to stay
Rushton Hall (01536 713001) has double rooms from £120, including breakfast.
Detling Military Odyssey
Kent
Not sure which era of battle to immerse yourself in? The Detling Military Odyssey spans warfare through the ages – from the ancient Romans to the World Wars of the 20th century via medieval jousters, Viking warriors and the armies of the Duke of Wellington. This event – staged over the August Bank Holiday on the former RAF airfield at Detling – sees thousands of re-enactors taking up arms and sharing their passion for their period with visitors. There are model displays and, for collectors, a vast array of uniforms and military memorabilia.
The details
August 23 to 25, £16 (adult); £7 (children 5-15), military-odyssey.com
Where to stay
Leeds Castle (01622 765400) has double rooms from £180, including breakfast.
Victory Show
Leicestershire
The Second World War is vividly brought to life in this three-day extravaganza involving reenactors from more than 100 societies and displays of tanks, infantry, aircraft and pyrotechnics. Held at the 100-acre site at Foxlands Farm in Cosby, it was originally intended as a one-off but is now in its 20th year. Visitors are able to stroll through a huge army encampment, attend educational talks and should they be in the mood, attend a 1940s-themed dinner dance.
The details
August 29 to 31, £25 (adult); £15 (children 5-15), thevictoryshow.co.uk
Where to stay
Winstanley House near Leicester (0116 366 5642) has double rooms from £79, including breakfast.
Napoleonic Living History Camp
West Sussex
The battles of the Napoleonic era were largely fought on the continent – but many involved British forces. The Napoleonic Association – an umbrella organisation for re-enactment societies on both the Allied and French sides – stages several events annually in the UK and Europe. The redcoats of King George square off against the bluecoats of the Grande Armée during a weekend of the summer festival at Stansted Park. Expect musket fire, marching drills and esprit de corps in the encampments.
The details
July 19 to 20, £12 (adult); £34 (family), stanstedpark.co.uk
Where to stay
Millstream Hotel in Bosham (01243 573234) has double rooms from £162 including breakfast.
American War of Independence Weekend
Leicestershire
The American War of Independence may have been fought thousands of miles away, but British troops were involved – and plenty of reenactors on this side of the Atlantic like to provide a flavour of the war that led to the creation of the United States of America. This year's commemoration – on the site of the old Moira iron works blast furnace – will involve participants from the Redcoats & Revolutionaries and a host of like-minded associations. A special focus will be the 250th anniversary of the 1775 skirmishes of Lexington/Concord and the British retreat to Boston. Tea anyone?
The details
July 5-6, donations requested, moirafurnace.org
Where to stay
Hoar Cross Hall in Burton-on-Trent (01283 477900) has double rooms from £321, including breakfast.
Duxford Battle of Britain 85 Airshow
Cambridgeshire
Within living memory (just), the Battle of Britain was the term given to the fight between the RAF and the Luftwaffe for supremacy in the skies above Britain between July and October 1940. This year marks the 85th anniversary of that momentous battle, which will be commemorated at Duxford with a series of spectacular flying displays involving Spitfires, Hurricanes and other aircraft from the period – including the Duxford Big Wing formation. Visitors can wander around the Imperial War Museum's Duxford hangars and aircraft collection. There will also be music, dancing and plenty of people in 1940s attire.
The details
Sept 6 to 7 £49.50 (adult); free for children up to 15
Where to stay
The Fellows House in Cambridge (01223 949499) has double rooms from £169, including breakfast.
Scotland
Largs Viking Festival
The Vikings are coming! So ran the cry along the western coast of Scotland as King Haakon of Norway approached with 160 longships and thousands of fearsome warriors in 1263. The same cry has been heard every year since 1980 as residents of this Ayrshire town on the Firth of Clyde commemorate the Battle of Largs (won by the Scottish). In addition to the battle itself (staged on September 6 as part of a Festival of Fire), visitors may observe Glasgow Sword Breakers, Glima wrestling (a Nordic variation), archery displays and even turn their hands to some axe throwing.
The details
Aug 30 to Sept 7; Entrance to village, £10 (adult); £20 (families) largsvikingfestival.co.uk
Where to stay
Pipers' Tryst Hotel in Glasgow (01413 535551) has double rooms from £120, including breakfast.
Wales
Plantagenets at Castell Harlech
If a knight in shining armour is what you seek, look no further than this event staged by the Plantagenet Medieval Society in the grounds of the magnificent Castell Harlech in Gwynedd. This is less a re-enactment of an actual battle than a display of the skills, techniques – and chivalric code – deployed in the Hundred Years' War between England and France between 1337 and 1453. There are displays of how to shoot a long bow and joust, while the Ladies of the Court demonstrate medieval dances – all against a backdrop of the Irish Sea and the peaks of Eryri (Snowdonia, Wales' largest National Park.).
The details
May 25 to 27; Entrance to Castell Harlech £9.50 (adult); £30.40 (family) plantagenet.org.uk
Where to stay
Portmeirion Hotel has double rooms from £244 including breakfast.
Northern Ireland
Magnus Barelegs Festival
This bi-annual event staged bi-annually near Downpatrick in County Down commemorates the bloody fighting that took place in the early 12th century between indigenous Celtic tribes and Viking invaders under the leadership of the Norwegian king Magnus III Olafsson - better known as Magnus Barefoot.
Quite possibly tricked by the self-proclaimed High King of Ireland, Muirchertach Ua Briain, Magnus came to a sticky end involving an axe when he was ambushed in a field close to Downpatrick and this weekend-long gathering in the Delamont Country Park aims to give visitors a sense of what those ancient battles would have entailed.
In addition to re-enactments, there's a Viking School of Battle, a medieval market, and a boat-burning funeral pyre, while a star turn in the park is the miniature railway with Thomas the Tank Engine lookalike. Don't miss the nearby Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
The details
August 2026; £15 (adult, 2024 price); £40 (family) visitmournemountains.co.uk; facebook.com/MagnusVikingAssociation
Where to stay
Slieve Donald Hotel (028 4372 1066) has double rooms from £189 including breakfast.
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