Revisit the 40’s with wartime weekend spectacular

This August Bank Holiday, English Heritage is inviting visitors to Old Sarum in Wiltshire to take a nostalgic meander back in time to wartime Britain, the bygone age of Vera Lynn, Doodlebugs and digging for victory.

The World War II themed ‘Weekend Spectacular’ offers a rare glimpse into what life was really like for the soldiers who fought on the front line and the men and women left back in Blighty keeping up the home front.

Emily Burns, Head of Events for English Heritage, said: “This isn’t display-case history, this is all about living the moment. Children can play the games of the period, parents and grandparents can dance to big band tunes, and everyone can taste, hear and see life as it was during World War II – complete with Spitfires and Hurricanes!

“The site has a connection to the war too,” Emily adds. “Old Sarum narrowly missed attack, being situated a stones throw away from an RAF airbase which suffered a burnt hangar and two destroyed aircraft during a German airfield attack.”

For three days (Saturday 25 to Monday 27 August), Old Sarum in Wiltshire will be transformed into a World War II military camp with 1940s themed activities and crafts for all the family. A mix of British, American and German living history encampments, military vehicles and a realistic-looking field hospital will be dispersed around the site with daily ‘battles’ each afternoon followed by casualty evacuations.

Children and adults alike will enjoy talks and displays on the life of a British infantryman and watch British, American and German soldiers being put through their paces with half-hour weapons or kit demonstrations. Music lovers will be transported back to the era by live 1940s musical performances by a singer and a pianist throughout the day. Guests will be treated to an hour-long Field Hospital scenario each day. Anyone with squeamish tendencies may need to look away!

The whole Bank Holiday weekend will end on a high with a Spitfire and Hurricane aerial display taking place at 3pm on Monday.

For more information on the Wartime Weekend Spectacular, visit English-heritage.org.uk.