Avoncroft Living History Festival 2026 – Bromsgrove, United Kingdom
Overview
The Avoncroft Living History Festival 2026 is one of the UK’s most comprehensive multi-period events, transforming 19 acres of rural Worcestershire into a massive living time capsule. Held at the Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings, the festival features over 40 re-enactment groups and 300 individual re-enactors who set up detailed camps representing a staggering range of human history. From the primitive lives of the Stone Age to the tensions of the Cold War, the event uses the museum’s collection of over 30 rescued and rebuilt historic structures as an authentic backdrop for immersive storytelling.
The 2026 edition marks a significant transition for the event as it officially becomes the “Avoncroft Living History Festival,” continuing the legacy of the previous international iterations under the museum’s direct coordination. Visitors can expect a weekend filled with the sounds of blacksmiths at work, the smell of medieval cooking, and the sight of military drills from various centuries. It is a uniquely educational and entertaining experience that allows you to walk through 700 years of architectural history while meeting the people who would have inhabited those very buildings.
Event Highlights
- Multi-Era Camps: Explore more than 40 living history encampments scattered across the site, offering a rare chance to see how daily life evolved from the Bronze Age through the Viking era to the 1940s.
- Arena Displays & Music: Two dedicated arenas host live combat demonstrations, weapons displays, and historical talks, while two music stages in the Guesten Hall feature period-accurate dance and song.
- Historically Themed Market: A bustling marketplace offers a variety of trader stalls selling handcrafted tools, period costumes, historic pottery, and artisan jewelry inspired by different eras.
- Meet the Authors: A new “Meet the Authors” area for 2026 provides a space for presentations and discussions with writers specializing in historical fiction and non-fiction.
Why Attend
History enthusiasts and families should attend the Avoncroft Living History Festival to experience the sheer scale of a multi-period event that feels more like an interactive movie than a museum visit. It is the perfect destination for those who want to compare different eras side-by-side—where else can you witness a Roman legionary standing just yards away from a WWII paratrooper? The museum’s open-air setting provides a safe and expansive environment for children to learn about history through hands-on activities and direct interaction with knowledgeable re-enactors.
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For those who appreciate craftsmanship and heritage, the festival serves as a vital hub for traditional skills. You can watch a medieval kitchen display in action, sample mead from traditional makers, or even ride the museum’s famous miniature steam train. The event is a celebration of the “unsung” history of regular people and the buildings they left behind, making it a deeply personal and enriching way to spend a spring weekend in the heart of the English countryside.
Date & Duration
- Event Timeline: The festival takes place over the weekend of Saturday, April 25, and Sunday, April 26, 2026.
- Festival Hours: The museum grounds typically open at 10:00 AM and close at 4:00 PM on both days.
Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.
Venue / Location
- City and Country: The event is held in Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, United Kingdom.
- Venue: Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings, an open-air museum featuring a collection of historic buildings ranging from a 14th-century merchant’s house to a 1940s prefab.
- Google Maps Address: 86 Redditch Rd, Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove B60 4JR, United Kingdom.
Ticket Information
- Sales Channels: Advanced tickets are available directly through the Avoncroft Museum website, which offers fast-track entrance for pre-booked guests.
- Admission Type: Options include Individual Adult, Child (5-17), and Member tickets; children under 5 years old enter for free.
- Ticket Pricing: Advanced Adult tickets are priced at approximately $25 (£19.75), while Child tickets are approximately $8 (£6).
- Member Discounts: Museum members receive a significantly reduced entry rate of approximately $13 (£10) for adults and $5 (£4) for children.
- Incentives: Visitors who arrive by train and show a valid rail ticket can often claim a free tea or coffee at the event’s pop-up café in Guesten Hall.
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Contact Information
- Email Contact: contacts@avoncroft.org.uk
- Phone Support: +44 1527 831886
- Official Website: https://avoncroft.org.uk/
- Social Media:
- https://www.facebook.com/avoncroftmuseum/?ref=bookmarks
- https://twitter.com/AvoncroftMuseum
- https://www.instagram.com/avoncroftmuseum/
Getting There
- Nearest Airports: Birmingham Airport (BHX) is the closest international hub, located approximately 30 km away (~35 minutes by car via the M42).
- Public Transport: Bromsgrove Train Station is the main rail link; on festival weekends, a free heritage bus service often runs between the station, the town center, and the museum.
- Taxi/Rideshare: Local taxi services like Alpha Taxis are available; a ride from Bromsgrove station to the museum takes about 5 minutes and costs roughly $10 to $15.
- Parking: Extensive free parking is provided on-site immediately adjacent to the museum entrance, though it can become busy during peak morning hours.
- Bus Service: Regular public bus services (Diamond 145 and 145A) connect Bromsgrove town center to the museum stop throughout the day.
Accommodation Options
- Luxury Hotels: Grafton Manor (4-star, 1.5 km, a historic manor house set on a lake, ~$160-$250/night); Brockencote Hall Hotel (4-star, 8 km, grand country house hotel ~$220-$380/night).
- Mid-Range Options: Holiday Inn Birmingham – Bromsgrove (4-star, 2.5 km, features a spa and pool, ~$110-$180/night); Hanbury Turn (Inn, 0.5 km, cozy and very close to the museum ~$90-$140/night).
- Budget Stays: Premier Inn Bromsgrove Central (3-star, 3 km, reliable family-sized rooms, ~$75-$110/night); Ibis Budget Bromsgrove (2-star, 5 km, simple and efficient ~$60-$95/night).
Reviews
- Educational Value: The variety of eras represented is staggering; it’s like having a history textbook come to life right in front of you.
- Atmosphere: The staff and re-enactors are incredibly knowledgeable and stay in character, making the whole experience feel very authentic.
- Family Friendly: There is so much for kids to do, from the miniature train to the interactive camps—it is one of the few festivals that truly caters to all ages.
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FAQ's
Are the historic buildings open to go inside during the festival?
Yes, most of the museum’s 30+ historic buildings are open for exploration during the festival. In many cases, re-enactment groups will actually be "living" inside these structures, providing a unique chance to see how the buildings would have functioned in their original time periods. You might find a medieval scribe working in the counting house or 1940s housewives preparing a ration-era meal in the prefab house.
Can I bring my dog to the Living History Festival?
Avoncroft Museum is a dog-friendly site, and well-behaved dogs on short leads are welcome to join you for the festival. However, please be aware that the event features loud noises such as musket fire and cannon displays, which can be distressing for some animals. Owners are expected to clear up after their pets and ensure they are comfortable with large, active crowds before bringing them along.
Is there food available on-site or should I bring a picnic?
There are multiple catering options available, including the museum’s own Edwardian Tea Room and a special Event Café in Guesten Hall. Additionally, various food vendors are usually on-site offering a mix of modern and historically inspired snacks. Visitors are also more than welcome to bring their own picnics and use the designated outdoor picnic areas located throughout the 19-acre site.
What should I do if the Heritage Bus is not running?
While the free Heritage Bus is a popular feature for major events, it is always subject to volunteer availability. If it is not running, you can take the Diamond 145 or 145A bus from Bromsgrove station or the town center, which stops right outside the museum gates. Alternatively, a taxi from the station is a very short and affordable journey, taking less than 5 minutes.
Is the site fully accessible for wheelchair users?
Most of the 19-acre site is accessible via flat or gently sloping paths, and the museum provides wheelchair-accessible restrooms and parking. However, as the site features authentic historic buildings, some of the older structures may have narrow doorways, steep stairs, or uneven floors that are not accessible to wheelchairs. The museum staff is very helpful and can provide an accessibility map to help you navigate the best routes between the various camps and buildings.
