NOTE: Re-enactors and ranger are available for PHOTOGRAPHS or RADIO INTERVIEW on events days. Please call to arrange.
There’s a chance to step back in time this summer, by meeting real-life Anglo-Saxon people living and working just as our ancestors would have done 1,500 years ago, at WestStowAnglo-SaxonVillage. ‘SUMMER 505AD’ will be under way from 15 July to 21 August and again from 27 to 30 August.
SUMMER 505AD is a wonderful opportunity for local people and visitors to come face-to-face with Anglo-Saxon re-enactors who will be demonstrating the costume, crafts and skills that would have been essential to ordinary folk in the 6th Century. These brave individuals will actually be living, working and sleeping for up to a week in the period buildings that have been reconstructed on this important archaeological site.
West Stow Ranger, Christine White says:
“A visit to WestStowAnglo-SaxonVillage is a fascinating chance to learn about the past at any time, but when the Village is brought to life in August by our costume re-enactors, it should be great fun too! The Anglo-Saxons are featured in the National Curriculum, but learning about them is really easy when you get to shake hands with one in real life and ask him what he hunted for his dinner!
“Most of the costume re-enactment groups that come to live in the Village include children and young people, some of whom have been involved in re-enactment since they were toddlers! By seeing other children of their own age living as Anglo-Saxons, our younger visitors get a real idea how different life would have been for the children who lived in England hundreds of years ago.”
Throughout August visitors can also see many archaeological finds from the Village and its cemetery, exhibited in a specially built Centre which is suitable for people of all ages. There will also be tours of the Village and extra activities and demonstrations during August; please call for details.
A visit to WestStowAnglo-SaxonVillage can be a whole day out for the family, with lots of things to keep adults and children occupied. The Village is set in a 125 acre CountryPark which includes woodland, river, lake and heath, a large children’s play area and several picnic areas. There is also a nature trail, bird hides and a special bird feeding area, plus a café and gift shop to visit.
WestStowCountryPark & Anglo-SaxonVillage is located 6 miles NW of Bury St Edmunds off the A1101; just follow the brown tourist signs to the Anglo-SaxonVillage. The Village is open from 10am to 5pm (last ticket at 4pm), Café/shop from 11am to 4pm and the CountryPark from 9am to 8pm.
For further information please call the visitor centre on: 01284 728718, email weststow@stedsbc.gov.uk or visit the website www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk/weststow.
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