Thousands of visitors enjoy Arundel Castle’s Easter Medieval Festival
Arundel Castle invited visitors to step back in time to 1216 and experience the joy of history at its recent Medieval Festival. The festival took place from Good Friday 7th to Easter Sunday 9th April, recreating the gathering of King John and his loyal followers as they put down a rebellion and fended off a potential invasion from France.
Set within a large, tented encampment on the lower lawns of the castle, the three-day event offered a plethora of activities to immerse visitors of all ages in the medieval world. They could experience the thrill of axe throwing and archery, get creative in the craft tent, and witness combat, archery, and falconry demonstrations. Children even had the chance to participate in battles, making it a fun and interactive experience for the whole family.
In addition, there were demonstrations in the encampment of pewter casting, forging, cooking, leather work, and more. Live music from medieval musicians Myal and Peg, and fire-eating performances from Whatapalaver added to the festive atmosphere.
Andrew Lewis, Castle Manager at Arundel Castle, said:
“This was the first event of the Castle’s 2023 programme, and it was lovely to kick off the season with such a weekend of fun. We welcomed thousands of visitors over the weekend, and we hope everyone enjoyed their trip back in history to the medieval world.”
For those that missed out, Arundel Castle will be hosting another Medieval Festival – A Skirmish, taking place over the end of May bank holiday weekend from Saturday 27th to Monday 29th May 2023.
With similar interactive fun and educational experiences for visitors of all ages, the May festival will be themed around Arundel Castle’s 15th-century Wars of the Roses. This unique three-day event will see the castle serving as the backdrop for an imaginary Lancastrian raiding party engaging with Yorkist forces. It will bring to life a turbulent period in England’s history when King Edward IV, Duke of York, faced a rebellion from the supporters of the former King, Henry VI, Duke of Lancaster.
Tickets to the May bank holiday Medieval Festival – A Skirmish are available at www.arundelcastle.org and cost from £25 per adult, £11.00 for a child, or £61.00 for a Family Ticket. Children under five years old can enter for free.
Catering, event details and areas open are subject to change and the weather. Age and height restrictions apply to some of the visitor activities. Please check the website for full details.