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Workshops & Experiences
Whether you’re learning to carve stone, medieval calligraphy or exploring a Second World War trench, our hands-on workshops and experiences allow visitors to actively engage with history in a meaningful and memorable way.
Workshops
Introduction to Medieval Calligraphy
Hiow Beorht
Discover what it’s like to be a medieval scribe with Hiow Beorht.
You’ll have a chance to learn basic pen skills, practise the alphabet, and have a go at writing your name in a medieval style with a quill. All materials are provided. Please be aware that using dip pens and ink can be messy.
Age: Suitable for older children and adults. Younger children are welcome but may not find it easy.
Run time: 45 minutes
Archery Masterclass
Now Strike Archery
Ever wanted to shoot an English longbow like a medieval archer? Join Now Strike Archery for this unique masterclass in historic military archery. Learn to shoot using handmade English longbows with various draw weights and even try your hand with an authentic war bow!
Age: Suitable for ages 12+
Run time: 1 hour
The Oldest Games in the World
Thimblerig Games
Discover some of the oldest games in the world in this fun and fascinating workshop with Thimblerig Games. From the Roman tactical game Nine Men’s Morris to the Sumerian Royal Game of Ur, you’ll have the chance to learn and play a selection of ancient games. Perfect for the board game lover!
Age: Suitable for ages 14+. Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.
Run time: 1.5 hours
Introduction to Stone Carving
Join our resident stonemason Andrew Ziminski for an introduction to the art of stone carving.
In this hands-on workshop, you will learn some of the basic techniques involved in carving a historical Anglo-Saxon design. All tools and materials, including the stone, are provided on the day.
Andrew Ziminski is a stonemason, church conservator and author living and working in Frome, Somerset. He has four decades of experience working on some of the greatest cathedrals and churches in Britain, including the tower of Salisbury Cathedral and the dome of St Paul’s in London. He is a SPAB William Morris Craft Fellow, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, and conservation advisor to the Salisbury Diocesan advisory committee for the care of churches. Andrew is the author of two books, Church Going and The Stonemason: A History of Building Britain.
Age: Suitable for ages 13+
Run time: 2.5 hours
Viking Tablet Weaving
Hiow Berht
Try your hand at tablet weaving, one of the oldest and simplest weaving techniques, and watch as a wonderful pattern appears with a few turns of the cards. With the looms set up and ready to go, this is a great activity for adults and children alike.
Age: Suitable for ages 7+. Children aged 7-9 may need parental assistance.
Run time: 45 minutes
Place Your Bets: The History of Casino Games
Thimblerig Games
Join Thimblerig Games for a journey through some of the earliest casino-style games. From Basset, a late fifteenth-century card game of the nobility that laid the foundations of roulette, to the 18th-century Game of Pirates, this workshop offers a chance to learn, play, and discover the history of a selection of gambling games from the twelfth to the sixteenth century.
Age: Suitable for ages 14+. Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.
Run time: 1.5 hours
Bookbinding
Hiow Beorht
Discover the joys of bookbinding and leatherwork in the introductory masterclass. Stain and decorate your leather cover and sew the cover and book pages together. After adding a leather strap for closure, you’ll have your own historic-looking book to keep.
Age: The course is open to all ages, but it does include staining leather and sewing with a needle. All materials included.
Run time: 1 hour
Experiences
Have-A-Go History - Medieval
Over the weekend, kids and families of all ages will be able to get hands-on with archery, axe-throwing, and sword school.
SOE TRAINING CAMP
Have you got what it takes to be an SOE agent? This unique experience is the perfect opportunity for adults and children alike to learn the skills and techniques of espionage from the Second World War.
WW2 Trench
Step back in time and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the Second World War.
