The West Acre history fair celebrates some of the major episodes in British and Norfolk history. Step back in time and witness some of the varied and significance historical events that made Britain what it is today. Creating a unique, fun, educational and attractive day out for all the family in one of the most attractive and historical landscapes in Norfolk. This two day fair will be an event not to be missed providing a full day of historical themes and entertainment.

Interact with the living history camp and find out what it was really like to live and work during this traumatic period of British history including, sutlers, blacksmiths, candle and shot making, 17^th century games, weaponry displays, soldiers alehouse and officers tents. There will also be opportunities for children to try on armour, together with close-up demonstrations of 17^th century cooking, needlepoint and crewel work.

Experience the blood and gore of close-up Roman Gladiatorial combat, including army drill. Medieval horseback skill-at-arms together with hunting and warfare skills and watch how medieval surgeons treated battle injuries, plus much much more !!

Experience the sights, sounds and atmosphere of a major English Civil War battle including cavalry charges, infantry attacks, large scale cannon and musket fire, all in authentic dressed mid-seventeenth century attire. There will also be demonstrations of cavalry, musket and pike drill together with musicians and drum calls. Brought to you by the English Civil War Society.

• See how our prehistoric ancestors made their every day tools from flint by John Lord, the leading flint-knapper in the country.

• Working Roman iron smelting furnace, pottery making and firing an authentic NarValley type pottery kiln, glass making and experimental furnace. 

• See how you can get involved in your local history and what research is going on around East Anglia. On-hand will be local archaeological and historical societies/organisations

• A working Iron Age farm including authentic round-houses, animal stockades, bread making and other related activities. See how the local Iceni tribe would have been living at the time of the Boudican revolt.

• See how our prehistoric forbears used the rivers for transport including live demonstrations of how to construct log boats and coracles, including watching them in action on the river Nar.

• See how your local archaeological heritage is recorded with representatives from the Portable Antiquities Scheme and the NorfolkMuseum and Archaeology Service.

• Watch a live archaeological excavation of a medieval chapel, together with displays of local archaeological finds from the West Acre and the NarValley.
• Find out how children can get involved with archaeology with people on hand from the YAC The Young Archaeologists Club.
• Guided walks around the extensive remains  West Acre Priory which are not normally open to the public.
• Have-a-go and learn some hands-on-skills of medieval archery and minting of medieval coins.
• Watch some of the latest and ground breaking archaeological geophysical equipment in action and talk to the experts

• Sedgeford (SHARP) on the North Norfolk coast has been over the last ten years subject to a large archaeological survey, members from the team will be here to show you some of the results and finds.

• Rosie & Glenn - Historical Costumes and Living History

• Faden's 1797 Map of Norfolk

• Great Yarmouth & District Archaeological Society

• Norfolk Industrial Society

• Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group

• Gilbert Burroughes - Reproduction Roman Pottery

• Fakenham Local History Society and Museum of Gas

• Downham Market & District Heritage Society

• Dereham Antiquarian Society

• Poppyland Publishing

• Heritage Marketing and Publications

• Norfolk Family History Society

• ARCH - Archiving Rural Community History

• Wesley Society - East Anglia

• NarValley Archaeology

BATTLEFIELD

10.30 – 11.30

English Civil War Society Private Drill – the public are welcome to watch

12.30 – 1.00

English Civil War Society Cavalry Display

3.15 – 4.15

English Civil War Society – Major Civil War Battle

ARENA

10.30 – 12.00

The Romans in Britain - A chance to see the Ancient British and Roman history of West Acre, Includes a gladiatorial combat show (11.15) and a Roman doctor performing an operation. (Please note both of these features include blood and gore special effects.)

12.00 – 12.30

English Civil War Society Infantry Display

1.00 - 14.55

West Acre from the Saxons to Queen Elizabeth 1st. Combat displays and cavalry from the end of the Roman Age to the Spanish Armada.

Scroll down to view the days programme