Medieval festivals, fayres, and banquets offer a unique glimpse into the rich history and culture of the Middle Ages.
These events are scattered across the UK, providing an immersive experience of the sights, sounds, and tastes of medieval times.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to all the major medieval festivals, fayres, and banquets happening in the UK in 2024.
1. The Grand Medieval Joust at Leeds Castle
Dates: July 6-7, 2024
Location: Leeds Castle, Kent
Highlights: Spectacular jousting tournaments, medieval music, falconry displays, and living history encampments. Visitors can also enjoy traditional crafts, food, and family activities.
2. Tewkesbury Medieval Festival
Dates: July 13-14, 2024
Location: Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire
Highlights: Reenactments of the Battle of Tewkesbury, a large medieval market, authentic camp life, and medieval entertainments including jesters, musicians, and storytellers. It’s one of the largest free medieval events in Europe.
3. The Loxwood Joust
Dates: August 3-4 and 10-11, 2024
Location: Loxwood, West Sussex
Highlights: Thrilling jousts, battles, falconry, and living history displays. The event features a bustling medieval market, a woodland kingdom for children, and an authentic medieval banquet.
4. Herstmonceux Castle Medieval Festival
Dates: August 24-26, 2024
Location: Herstmonceux Castle, East Sussex
Highlights: Full-scale battles, jousting, archery, and falconry. The festival includes medieval traders, food stalls, and a variety of live entertainment, making it a perfect family outing.
5. Warwick Castle’s Wars of the Roses Live
Dates: Selected weekends from May to September 2024
Location: Warwick Castle, Warwickshire
Highlights: A dynamic live-action show that brings the Wars of the Roses to life with jousting, stunt riding, and epic battles. The castle itself offers a variety of medieval experiences throughout the year.
6. The International Medieval Congress and Festival
International Medieval Congress
Dates: July 1-4, 2024
Location: University of Leeds, Leeds
Highlights: This academic congress also includes a public medieval market and festival. Enjoy historical reenactments, medieval music, craft demonstrations, and a range of lectures and workshops.
7. The Alnwick Castle Medieval Week
Dates: August 19-25, 2024
Location: Alnwick Castle, Northumberland
Highlights: Live combat displays, medieval music, falconry, and jesters. Visitors can also explore the historic castle, which was a filming location for the Harry Potter films.
8. England’s Medieval Festival at Herstmonceux Castle
Dates: August 24-26, 2024
Location: Herstmonceux Castle, East Sussex
Highlights: Over 1000 performers, a huge medieval marketplace, live music, and a grand parade. The festival offers a fully immersive experience with authentic encampments, minstrels, and medieval food.
9. Cardiff Castle Medieval Banquets
Dates: Various dates throughout 2024
Location: Cardiff Castle, Cardiff
Highlights: Step back in time and enjoy a medieval banquet in the castle’s historic surroundings. The evening includes a traditional feast, medieval music, and entertainment.
10. The Medieval Fayre at Tatton Park
Dates: May 25-26, 2024
Location: Tatton Park, Cheshire
Highlights: Jousting, archery, falconry, and medieval living history displays. The fayre also includes a variety of stalls selling traditional crafts and foods.
The UK is home to a wealth of medieval festivals, fayres, and banquets, each offering a unique experience of the Middle Ages. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a family looking for a fun day out, or someone seeking an immersive cultural experience, these events provide an excellent opportunity to step back in time.
Mark your calendars and get ready to don your best medieval garb for a journey through history in 2024!
