The Murton Park History Festival, on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th August, is a captivating event that offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in a vibrant showcase of history, culture, and heritage. The two-day festival brings history
to life through interactive exhibits, reenactments, and engaging activities. Attendees can wander through reconstructed histo
rical settings, from a
Viking village to a Roman
fort, and witness skilled re
enactors demonstrati
ng traditional crafts and daily life from various time periods.
The event also includes heritage demonstrations, creative workshops and historical storytelling, making it a delightful experience for families, history enthusiasts, and curious minds alike.
It’s free to attend for annual pass holders. If you don’t already have one, now is a good time to grab one!
Here’s a snapshot of what you can look forward to:
The Roman Military Research Society: will demonstrate the skills of the Roman Army and Romano-British people, including infantry, artillery, archery and everyday life.
Jorfor’s Hall Vikings: Discover life inside a Viking household. Explore rare furs and skins from far‑off places, watch tools being crafted, and see how families hunted and trapped for survival. Enjoy hands‑on glimpses of cooking, clothing, jewellery, music, games, and learn how warriors trained with real armour and weapons.
Meridith Towne, Dress Historian & Costume Maker: Shhhh….there’s a secret meeting going on….will you join us? Members of the WSPU (the Suffragettes to me and you) are gathering to march on Parliament. Come and find out more about The Cause, add your name to the petition and join our ranks as we raise our banner and march, demanding loudly….“Will you give votes to women?”’ (anyone responding ‘not on your nelly’ will be refused entry!).
Eburakon Reenactment Society portrays the lives of everyday folk in Roman Britannia, especially focusing on Eboracum and Roman Yorkshire. We aim to do our best to research and present the past to the public, bringing focus to the lesser-known stories of our period.
The Yorkshire Knight will host a knights’ tournament featuring skills in horseback riding with a lance and sword. Other knights will also compete in foot combat competitions.
Step into the 15th century with The Frei Compagnie with a living history display that brings the Wars of the Roses to life.
Murton Park’s Living History team show you what it would have been like to live in prehistoric times
Glynnis and Tony show off their make do and mend display and talk about how people made do during the war.
Learn about rationing in the war and buy some sweets using your tokens
“Could you be a Land Girl?” Try your hand at a variety of tasks based on the Women’s Land Army Proficiency Test, from collecting eggs to milking a cow, we’ve even got an obstacle course. You’ll get a certificate and badge on completion.
All the fun at the fair: try your hand at games such as the coconut shy and hook-a-duck. Charges apply.
Lottie from Dance the Past will teach you some regency dance steps
Learn about the Royal Navy with Dan. He might even try to enroll you!
Alex from FacePaintYork will be whipping up Face Paints from her Classic Crowd-Pleaser Collection, showcasing her trademark speedy yet beautiful designs, from 11-3pm. (Ages 3+). Charges apply.
The York & District Beekeepers Association will provide information about bees and beekeeping.
The Cone Exchange is the flagship community project of Bettys & Taylors Group. We repurpose waste materials from businesses – literally turning trash into treasure. We will be running a free family craft activity encouraging everyone to get creative and take away their own unique memento of a fantastic day out.
Two days of train rides at the Derwent Valley Light Railway. Charges apply.
A timetable of activities will be available nearer the time.
15 Aug - 16 Aug
10am-4pm
