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Don't forget! Children 15 and under get FREE entry to the festival
Children’s Activities
We’ve curated an array of exciting experiences that promise to ignite your child’s curiosity and fascination with the past.
There’s plenty to keep young festival-goers entertained at Chalke!
From Viking storytelling and Roman crafts to historic games, theatre, drumming, chariots and hands-on workshops, there’s a huge amount for children and families to discover at Chalke History Festival. Whether your young historian loves getting creative, listening to exciting stories, meeting characters from the past or simply having fun outdoors, there’s something happening in the valley to spark their imagination.
Scroll down to explore the full programme of family-friendly activities and start planning your adventure through history!
Immersive History
Watch history come to life before your eyes with our living history programme and talented performers. From medieval knights to ancient civilizations, children will be transported back in time as they witness reenactments and demonstrations of historical events and everyday life.
Exciting Experiences
Experience first-hand the sights, sounds, and sensations of different historical eras with our experiences. Whether it’s exploring a World War Two trench or training like a medieval knight, there’s something for every adventurous spirit.
Fun & Games
Step back in time with HahaHopscotch’s historic garden games, where children can enjoy nostalgic favourites including sack races, rolling hoops, skittles, croquet, diablos and more. For creative minds, the Family Craft Tent is packed with hands-on activities led by professional artist and costumier Tabitha Grove.
Saturday 27 June & Sunday 28 June
All our living history displays and performances will be accessible for children and families, but these events have been specially designed for families.
VIKING STORYTELLING & VIKING FASHION
10:00-10:30 – Sat 27 June
VIKING STORYTELLING
14:00-14:30 – Sun 28 June
DRESS, DYEING & COLOURS FROM THE VIKING AGE
Gather round and listen to captivating myths and sagas from the Viking age or discover textiles and clothing from the Viking period with Castle Hill Heritage Skills.
THE POMPEII THERMOPOLIUM
VARIOUS TIMES
Step back in time and visit one of Pompeii’s many snack bars with the Time Travellers Kitchen.
Discover how amphitheatres created a whole new industry of snack food, investigate how the lives and status of the inhabitants changed the way food was viewed and eaten, and experience the aromas of a Roman kitchen.
DRUMMING CIRCLE
12.30 – 13.00 Sat 27 June
12.00 – 12.30 Sun 28 June
Join Here Be Flagons in a high-energy drumming circle, where you’ll have a chance to put your rhythmic abilities to the test whilst discovering how drums have been used in communication, warfare, and ritual.
STORIES FROM PREHISTORY
13.15 – 13.45 Sat 27 June
13.15 – 13.45 Sun 28 Jun
Join our storytellers for a tale about life in prehistory. Suitable for all ages.
THE MISADVENTURES OF THOR
VARIOUS TIMES
Rattlebox and Angel Heart Theatre. Skilfully blending puppetry, storytelling and larger-than-life characters = a performance full of wonder and delight! Suitable for everyone over 4 years
THE CHARIOT IN ACTION
15.30 – 16.30 Sat 27 June
11:00 – 12:00 Sun 28 June
In this thrilling arena event, witness the newly built late Iron Age Romano-British chariot in action as we put our Remaking History team’s craftmanship and courage to the test.
DRESSED FOR ACTION
16.30 – 17.00 Sat 27 June
Discover the clothing and apparel of Royal Navy sailors in action during the Second World War. The Royal Navy Beachhead Commandos will model and explain the kit as worn in action on land and sea, from the Chaplain to the Commandos.
IRON AGE POTTERY
17.00 – 17.30 Sat 27 June
Step into our Iron Age village with Pario Gallico and discover how pottery was shaped and fired thousands of years ago.
Family Crafts with Tabitha Grove
Friday – Sunday 10.00 – 16.00
Join professional artist and costumier Tabitha Grove in a tent-full of activities! We’ll be crafting our own Smashing Shakespearean Ruffs, designing spectacularly silly Roman Face pots, getting all tied up with Celtic Knots and lots, lots more.
This crafty little space will be available from 10am – 4pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and it’s entirely drop-in. Do as much or as little as you like. Please take note that children must not at any time be left unattended, in fact, parents are very much encouraged to make their own glorious pieces of art too!
Talks For Children
Mythical Mayhem for All the Family
12:45 – 13:15 – Sunday 28 June
Come and create some mythical mayhem with Maz Evans, author of the Who Let the Gods Out series. Epic adventures, legendary tales and heroic games will abound in this outrageously fun odyssey through the worlds of Maz’s books. Calling all the GodsSquad – this will be one for the ages…
Rebel Heart: An Exciting Adventure for all the Family
13.15 – 13.45 – Saturday 27 June
Join award-winning children’s author Ally Sherrick as she brings the excitement of history to life! Discover the story behind her latest adventure, Rebel Heart, and follow brave Merriweather Pryce on a dangerous journey through a country at war. With daring escapes, secret spies, loyal friends and plenty of twists and turns, this thrilling English Civil War adventure is perfect for young readers who love action, mystery and heroic characters. Will Merri find help in time – and who can she trust? Come along and find out!
PERFORMANCES
From storytelling and SOE to puppetry and pistol-duels, this is history at its most engaging and entertaining.
Join professional artist and costumier Tabitha Grove in a tent-full of activities! We’ll be crafting our own Smashing Shakespearean Ruffs, designing spectacularly silly Roman Face pots, getting all tied up with Celtic Knots and lots, lots more. This crafty little space will be available 10-4 and it’s entirely drop-in. Do as much or as little as you like. Please take note that children must not at any time be left unattended, in fact, parents are very much encouraged to make their own glorious pieces of art too!
Wizzo’s Rip-Roaring History
An old-time circus sideshow where the stars are the props and extraordinary stories. Colourful? Yes. Educational? Certainly. Rip-roaring? Absolutely!
History Maker
Discover the amazing, true story of the daring British raid on Taranto harbour, based on interviews with Lieutenant Commander John Wellham D.S.C., Pilot of Swordfish E5H of 824 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm.
History’s Maid
Dr Kate Vigurs, a captivating performer and history academic, will be joining us throughout the week to share astonishing stories from history.
Foreign Field
Foreign Field will be demonstrating martial skills, dark crimes and hidden heroics in a mix of history that stretches from the Middle Ages to the Second World War.
Rattlebox Theatre
From Wednesday to Sunday, Rattlebox Theatre and Angel Heart Theatre will be blending puppetry, storytelling and larger-than-life characters in a performance full of wonder and delight! Suitable for everyone over 4 years.
THE TIME TRAVELLERS KITCHEN
The Time Travellers Kitchen will be visiting ancient Pompeii to explore the food and culture of the famous cosmopolitan city.
LIVING HISTORY
All our living history displays and demonstrations will be accessible for children and families allowing children to experience history in a meaningful and memorable way.
PARIO GALLICO
Step into our Iron Age village and meet a rural community of artisans, farmers, and dwellers. Throughout the week, our living historians will be investigating how people dressed, ate, work, played, and lived before the Romans arrived in Britain.
PRE-HISTORY TO PRESENT
Led by renowned prehistory educator Sally Pointer, our team of expert archaeologists and interpreters will be returning to shed light on life from the Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age. Discover prehistoric food, clothing, shelter, adornment, and technology from our ancient past.
FOREIGN FIELD
Paul Bavill, Rory Ware and Kyle Glover are three hugely talented costumed historical interpreters who will be demonstrating martial skills, dark crimes and hidden heroics in a mix of history that stretches from the Middle Ages to the Second World War.
ROMAN ENCAMPMENT: LEGIO SECUNDA AUGUSTA
Step into a Roman military encampment and discover what it was like to be a Roman soldier, from military training and drills to Roman artillery. Legio Secunda Augusta will be shedding light on both military and civilian life, from crime and punishment to gladiator fights.
THE WIMBORNE MILITIA
The Wimborne Militia will be transporting us back to the age of sail and exploration with its depiction of a bustling harbour town. Witness the training, discipline, speed, and accuracy required by the garrison in their extensive artillery displays, or wander through the town and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the late 17th century, with coffee houses, taverns, spice traders, armourers and live music of the period.
THE 17TH CENTURY SAILMAKER
Without sails, history would be vastly different. Being able to travel across the sea using wind power has given rise to exploration, trading, wars and travel. Sarah Liscoe, the Historical Sailmaker, will be exploring how sails have been made through history whilst demonstrating the unique skills and knowledge of this traditional and endangered heritage craft.
WORKSHOPS & EXPERIENCES
Whether you’re exploring a Second World War trench, or trying your hand at axe throwing, our hands-on workshops and experiences allow your children to engage with history and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Purchased separately, experience tickets are additional to your day tickets.
THE TRENCH
Step back in time and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the Second World War in our immersive Trench Experience.
SOE TRAINING CAMP
Our hugely popular SOE Training Camp is back for 2026! This unique experience is the perfect opportunity for kids and adults to learn the skills and techniques of espionage from the Second World War.
INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS
From medieval calligraphy to Viking tablet weaving, get hands-on with history in our unique workshops.
HAVE-A-GO HISTORY
Do you have the skills to be a medieval warrior? Try your hand at sword fighting, axe-throwing, and archery in our have—a-go combat training.
