October Half Term
22nd to 30th October 2022 10 – 4pm
Normal admission prices. Booking in advance recommended.
This October Half Term join us to witness the turning of the seasons at this magical time of year, known to our ancestors as Samhain…
This was a period when it was believed the veil between the worlds is very thin and was a time for communication with the ancestors– why not travel back in time and discover what life was like thousands of years ago?
Discover more with a themed trail, handling sessions, craft activities and more.
Click below to see what we are planning for each day but please note many activities are run by our wonderful volunteers and may be subject to change.
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Take part in our Samhain spirits children’s trail, find the clues to discover the magic herb our ancestors used to protect them from mischievous spirits at this magical time of year!
Learn the ancient skill of Chalk carving and take a carved chalk figure home with you - perhaps you’ll make a ghoul or ghost!
Meet our rare breed Manx Loaghtan sheep and learn to spin with their wool
Meet our Iron Age Celt and discover what life in the Iron Age was like.
Watch the magic of Bronze casting!
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Take part in our Samhain spirits children’s trail, find the clues to discover the magic herb our ancestors used to protect them from mischievous spirits at this magical time of year!
Learn the ancient skill of Chalk carving and take a carved chalk figure home with you - perhaps you’ll make a ghoul or ghost!
Meet our rare breed Manx Loaghtan sheep and learn to spin with their wool
Discover the magic of metal smelting with demonstrations from our resident metal-smelter - turning rocks into metal!
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Take part in our Samhain spirits children’s trail, find the clues to discover the magic herb our ancestors used to protect them from mischievous spirits at this magical time of year!
At 11.30am find out more with a special talk and handling session about Samhain, the ancestors, skeletons and more!
Learn the ancient skill of Chalk carving and take a carved chalk figure home with you - perhaps you’ll make a ghoul or ghost!
Meet our rare breed Manx Loaghtan sheep.
Listen to seasonal stories told around the fire.
Meet our Stone Age re-enactor and learn about Stone Age skills.
See demonstrations of shingle making as we split oak to make roof tiles.
Learn more about our Saxon Halls with our volunteer
Watch the magic of Bronze Casting!
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Take part in our Samhain spirits children’s trail, find the clues to discover the magic herb our ancestors used to protect them from mischievous spirits at this magical time of year!
Learn the ancient skill of Chalk carving and take a carved chalk figure home with you - perhaps you’ll make a ghoul or ghost!
Meet our rare breed Manx Loaghtan sheep and learn to spin with their wool
Find out more about our Roman villa from our volunteers with demonstrations of Roman textiles.
See demonstrations of shingle making as we split oak to make roof tiles.
Watch demonstrations of our new Roman pottery kick wheel (11 - 1pm)
Learn more about our Bronze Age roundhouse construction with our volunteer
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Take part in our Samhain spirits children’s trail, find the clues to discover the magic herb our ancestors used to protect them from mischievous spirits at this magical time of year!
At 11.30am find out more with a special talk and handling session about Samhain, the ancestors, skeletons and more!
Learn the ancient skill of Chalk carving and take a carved chalk figure home with you - perhaps you’ll make a ghoul or ghost!
Meet our rare breed Manx Loaghtan sheep and learn to spin with their wool .
See the magic of metal smelting as we turn rock into metal!
Find out more about our Roman villa from our volunteers.
Find out more about our Saxon hall from our volunteers.
See demonstrations of shingle making as we split oak to make roof tiles.
Watch Bronze Casting in action!
-
Take part in our Samhain spirits children’s trail, find the clues to discover the magic herb our ancestors used to protect them from mischievous spirits at this magical time of year!
At 11.30am find out more with a special talk and handling session about Samhain, the ancestors, skeletons and more!
Learn the ancient skill of Chalk carving and take a carved chalk figure home with you - perhaps you’ll make a ghoul or ghost!
Gather round the fireside for some seasonal storytelling.
Meet our Stone Age re-enactor and discover Stone Age skills.
Meet our rare breed Manx Loaghtan sheep.
See the magic of metal smelting as we turn rock into metal!
See demonstrations of our Roman pottery kick wheel (11-1pm)
-
Take part in our Samhain spirits children’s trail, find the clues to discover the magic herb our ancestors used to protect them from mischievous spirits at this magical time of year!
At 11.30am find out more with a special talk and handling session about Samhain, the ancestors, skeletons and more!
Learn the ancient skill of Chalk carving and take a carved chalk figure home with you - perhaps you’ll make a ghoul or ghost!
Learn the skill of Trollen Wheel braiding and make a braid to take home with you.
Have a go at making cordage - turning natural fibres into string.
Meet our rare breed Manx Loaghtan sheep and English Goats.
See the magic of metal smelting as we turn rock into metal!
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Meet the Butser IX Roman Legion!
Take part in our Samhain spirits children’s trail, find the clues to discover the magic herb our ancestors used to protect them from mischievous spirits at this magical time of year!
Learn the ancient skill of Chalk carving and take a carved chalk figure home with you - perhaps you’ll make a ghoul or ghost!
Meet our rare breed Manx Loaghtan sheep and have a go at spinning with their wool.
Meet Iron Age re-enactors.
See the magic of metal smelting as we turn rock into metal!
-
Meet the Butser IX Roman Legion!
Take part in our Samhain spirits children’s trail, find the clues to discover the magic herb our ancestors used to protect them from mischievous spirits at this magical time of year!
Learn the ancient skill of Chalk carving and take a carved chalk figure home with you - perhaps you’ll make a ghoul or ghost!
Meet our rare breed Manx Loaghtan sheep and have a go at spinning with their wool.
Watch shingle making demonstrations as we split oak to turn into roof tiles.
Watch Bronze casting in action!
We will be following the latest government guidance in response to Covid-19, and will continue to monitor numbers on site in order to comply with social distancing and give the best experience for all. We are pleased to have been awarded a ‘Good to Go’ certification from Visit England in recognition of the steps we have taken to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit. For more information about the extra safety steps we’ve taken click here.