Two thousand years – One weekend

“Once more unto Kelmarsh Hall dear friends, once more!” is the rallying cry from English Heritage as the sixth annual ‘Festival of History’ approaches. The family event, which takes place on Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th July, will transport visitors through 2,000 years of history with spectacular demonstrations, re-enactments and activities.

Emily Burns, Head of Events for English Heritage, said: “This year’s Festival of History promises once again to be a veritable feast of action, colour, noise and excitement for all the family. It has always enjoyed huge popularity as the ultimate historical experience, and we are expecting this year to be the biggest yet.”

‘Dropzone: D-Day’, is sure to be the highlight of the 2008 festival, pitching a vintage Spitfire against a replica German Messerschmitt in a spectacular dog fight which will unfold in the skies above Kelmarsh Hall. Combining historical accuracy with breath-taking excitement, this wartime display from the darkest days of World War II will be further brought to life with Hollywood-style special effects including smoke, stuntmen, parachutists and machine guns.

Back on terra firma, the popular World War I Trench Experience will return to the Festival of History once again - bringing to life the sights, sounds and smells of life on the front line. Marking 90 years since Armistice Day, this painstaking recreation of trench warfare will include a custom-built, life-sized replica Mark V tank, whose development is credited by many historians as a decisive step towards Allied victory.

For the Festival’s younger visitors, English Heritage will lay on a raft of activities guaranteed to set imaginations alight. Choosing between William or Harold’s army, young warriors can get kitted up for the Junior Battle of Hastings, and receive combat training from the professionals – 1066 style! Aspiring comedians can try their hand at tomfoolery in the jesting workshops, and be entertained by story tellers and puppet shows. Pop along to the family activity zone where our education team has joined forces with Ecclesiastical to offer Tudor-themed activities and excitement.

Battle-weary guests looking for a change of pace can take refuge in the living history encampments and come face to face with characters from the past – from 18th century Redcoats, to Roman peasants at work, to a street filled with medieval craftsmen including working blacksmiths and calligraphers. In the Antarctic Adventurers encampment, visitors will witness first hand the challenges and struggles of the heroic South Pole explorers as they braved impossible conditions in the name of discovery.

Emily continues: “We truly believe that there’s something for everyone at the Festival of History. In addition to the main events listed, we will also play host to the infamous Knight’s Tournament, a Boer War skirmish, St George’s pageant and a Victorian gymkhana to name just a few. It really is the definitive historical spectacle”

For more information visitors should log onto festivalofhistory.org.uk. Visitors who pre-order tickets either online will automatically be entered into the Golden Ticket draw, for a chance to win some fabulous money can’t buy English Heritage prizes, including the ultimate relaxing country weekend in one of their beautiful holiday cottages.

VENUE: Kelmarsh Hall, Northampton, NN6 9LY
DATE: Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th July 2008
TIME: 9:30am-6pm

For full admission prices go to Festivalofhistory.org.uk.