Norwich Castle and Norwich Cathedral team up to host Medieval Festival

Norwich Castle and Norwich Cathedral have teamed up to host a spectacular free Medieval Festival during the autumn half-term holiday.

Step into the sights and sounds of the medieval world at this free event on Saturday 2 November from 10am to 3pm.

Two authentic medieval camps outside the Castle and Cathedral will offer visitors of all ages the chance to experience hands-on crafts, costumed characters, combat skills, weaponry displays and more.

A special trail featuring the Castle mice and their friends, Snap the Dragon and Flint the Fox, will help families navigate the route between the two locations.

Norwich Castle has organised this exciting festival in partnership with Norwich Cathedral as part of the Royal Palace Reborn Activity Plan, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, made possible by players of the National Lottery.

At Norwich Castle Green, a 14th Century living-history camp created by the Norwich and Norfolk Medieval Association (NANMA) will offer visitors an exciting and immersive experience. Visitors will be able to practice skills used in making staves for longbows, arrow fletching and beeswax candle-making. There will be opportunities to practice soft-play sword combat, try on armour, and explore medieval beauty routines. Families will enjoy striking a coin to take home with them as well as finding out more about the medieval world including demonstrations of how illuminated manuscripts were made and net making.

The atmosphere will be enhanced by the sound of musical instruments played by medieval music specialists, Pearl in the Egg. And if you’ve been up to something naughty, a humorous pardoner character will be on hand selling mock paper pardons!

At Norwich Cathedral Upper Green, Norfolk-based Viking, Saxon and Norman re-enactment group Ordgar will recreate their award-winning 10-11th Century Saxon and Norman camp.

Visitors can make clay pinch pots, create tablet braids, and take-home willow sprang weavings. There will be opportunities to craft leather coin pouches and key fobs with rune designs, try wood turning, and play traditional games like Nine Men's Morris and Hnefatafl.

Visitors can also grind flour with a quern stone, try on helmets and shields for photos, and watch demonstrations of sharp weapons in action. Sling making, bead decorating, and creating illuminated manuscripts using quills and paints will also be on offer.

Our friends at Bread Source will also be serving mulled wine, mulled apple juice and some tasty treats inspired by the Medieval Festival on the Upper Green.

Snap the Dragon’s Medieval Mouse Trail will be available for families to pick-up from both locations to navigate between the two sites. The Castle mice, Snap and and the Cathedral's Flint the Fox will be found hiding at local businesses along the route – complete the trail to collect a sticker at the end of the journey.

Cllr Margaret Dewsbury, Cabinet Member for Communities, Norfolk County Council, said: “We are pleased to announce this new partnership between Norwich Castle and Norwich Cathedral, and extend our gratitude to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for their support, which has made it possible for us to offer this exciting event free of charge."

The Dean of Norwich, the Very Revd Dr Andrew Braddock, said: “Norwich Cathedral is delighted to be taking part in the Medieval Festival with Norwich Castle. It is a wonderful way to celebrate our shared Norman heritage and we hope lots of people of all ages will join us for this special event.”

In the lead-up to the Medieval Festival, medieval-themed activities will run throughout half term at both Norwich Castle and Norwich Cathedral.

From Saturday 26 October to Saturday 2 November, visitors to Norwich Castle can unleash their creativity through a variety of crafts and help prepare a feast fit for a king! Design and decorate your very own Castle Keep or dress up in costumes and dragon capes for a royal experience. Have a go at monoprinting to create your own illuminated manuscript or visit Knight Club to learn and practice basic medieval combat skills. Explore the evolution of medieval arms and armour through an interactive workshop that delves into their purpose, design, and materials. All activities are included with museum admission. Check the Norwich Castle website for details of when activities are running.

At Norwich Cathedral from Monday 28 October to Friday 1 November, there will be the chance to join in with our Build It Up! family activities where you can find out more about the Cathedral's construction, its Norman history and the monastic foundation of the Cathedral and its beautiful decoration. Activities will include The Scriptorium – writing, illuminating and creating manuscripts, The Masons – arch building, stonework and exploring the building of the Cathedral and The Herb Garden and Library – medicine, books and monks at work. Each day children will contribute to the construction of a different part of the Cathedral, a ‘palace for God’. Children can take part in decorating wall paintings, creating roof bosses and designing mosaics for the floor as well as constructing pillars, windows and much more! Drop in and pay on the day, £3.50 per child. For the latest details click here

Photos: Bill Smith/NANMA/Ordgar/Norfolk Museums Service