6th Pensthorpe Medieval Spectacular

Early morning at Pensthorpe

To many of us Pensthorpe Nature Reserve in Norfolk is familiar as the setting for BBC’s Springwatch. However, over the last few years it has become a fixture in many visitor calendars for its major celebration of all things medieval. This year, as always, it runs over the August Bank Holiday from 28-30th August

It is always one of the most enjoyable events. Generously hosted, well organised and full of events throughout the day, it spans the entire medieval period, from Norman to the dawn of the Tudors. Visitors interested in armour and weaponry can chart the developments over 400 years as specialist groups bring their expertise of single periods. There are living history encampments where questions are welcome as people go about their day, preparing meals, spinning and so forth, and usually there are the most spectacular falconry displays, medieval plays, music, and period traders who offer a range of items from hand made reproductions of major pieces of jewellery to forged metal  items, woodwork and pottery. The gruesome is catered for too, with surgeons, healers or tooth drawers amongst the crowd.

In addition to all this, which like a truly medieval fair of the past has grown as its reputation has spread, there are the lakes, river, walks, resident and visiting migrant birds and spectacular millenium gardens which, even though summer is drawing towards its close, are still full of colour. Oh yes, and the squirrels. There are red squirrels at Pensthorpe that live in the lap of luxury with an amazing set of aerial runways. It is an excellent event, with something to interest  everyone. http://www.pensthorpe.com/events/index.php

medieval mealtime

The Millennium Garden

One of the residents