Winterbourne Medieval Festival
Winterbourne Medieval Barn
Permission to host a June fayre in Winterbourne was granted by King Richard II in 1393 to Blanche, the great-granddaughter of Sir Thomas de Bradeston who commissioned the Barn to be built in 1342, so we are delighted to still be upholding that tradition over 600 years later.
Join us as we recreate some medieval festivities, with combat displays from the Warwick Warriors, live medieval music, and a mini living history encampment from The Company of Chivalry where you can really get a feel for medieval life by walking amongst it! There will be wandering jesters, demonstrations of life in the 1300s, have a go archery, sword school, and traditional games. Face painting will be on offer for younger visitors (or those young at heart!) as well as a colouring completion and an owl scavenger hunt.
The programme of activities and performances varies throughout the day, so come early and stay for the day. There is something for all ages to keep the whole family entertained.
The Barn will be filled with medieval-themed artisan craft stalls and displays, including leatherwork, straw and willow crafts, medieval illustrations, traditional weaving and dying, beeswax and herbals, jewellery, and a range a high quality cider, perry and preserves. You will be able to watch some of the artists at work throughout the day. There will be demos on basket weaving and natural dyes plus beautiful work from local jewellers, medieval illustrations, skin care made with local honey, leatherwork, straw craft, planters made from local driftwood and many more!
Plenty of excellent food, also on a medieval theme, is available (including gluten-free and vegan options), with a traditional hog roast, bacon baps, Persian saffron chicken, falafels, lamb doner kebabs, samosas, salads, Ploughman's cups, pastries, and a selection of wonderful homemade cakes and baklava. The Barn Bar will serve ice creams and snacks as well as hot, cold, soft and alcoholic beverages.
Early bird tickets £5 adult, £1 child can be booked on Ticketsource until 1st June. After that, and on the gate, the price is £7 adult, £2 child. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on a lead. Dogs remain the responsibility of the owner within the grounds of the Barn.
Free parking is available at Winterbourne Academy on the High Street (BS36 1JL), with a free shuttle bus running up and down to the Barn all day. Parking on Church Lane is not allowed as this obstructs emergency vehicles and the shuttle buses. Limited car parking for Blue Badge holders only, is available on site but MUST be reserved well in advance - email below to book this. There is plenty of room for cycle parking on site.
Buses Y1 and Y2 (operated by First) run regularly between Bristol and Yate along Winterbourne High Street.
