Appetite and the Brampton Museum are excited to be working in partnership to bring you Celebrate Castle. Join us as we journey back over 800 years and bring a piece of the past to the present.
You can find information on transport and access here.
Living History Village
Where? Bottom of Brampton Park
When? 10.30am to 4pm
See history come to life with living history camp hosted by 50 local students in handmade Medieval costume. From humble peasant to warrior knights, get up close and personal to find out what life would have been like over 800 years ago in Newcastle.
Medieval Music by Misericordia
Where? Inside the Museum
When? 10.30am to 11am; 12.30pm to 1pm & 3.30pm to 4pm – keep a lookout for this walkabout performance
Miserecordia will be playing music from the 12th and 13th centuries on instruments of the period including symphony/hurdy gurdy, bagpipes, citole, recorder, psaltery, harp and percussion, along with some description and demonstrations of the instruments.
Knights and Jester Walkabout by Circus in a Box
Where? Starts at the croquet lawn. This is a walkabout performance – keep a look out!
When? 10.30am to 11.15am; 12.15pm to 12.45 & 1.45pm to 2.30pm
Sir Lance-A-Bit and Sir Go-Warn-Then, the nation’s TALLEST knights, are here to rescue fair dragons and battle fiery maidens… Wait, no, that’s not quite right… Either way their gallant and gallivanting antics will keep you in hysterics, high spirits, and ready to party like it’s 1199!
Quip the Jester performs a bizarre brand of courtly chaos with his not-so-medieval monocycle and mischievous juggling foolery. His curly-tipped boots have taken him on travels from the courts of kings and the lands of Arthurian legend, ALL the way to Newcastle-under-Lyme!
Listen to an audio introduction of this performance here
Create your Family Crest with Kidda Kinsey
Where? Activity area, Brampton Park
When? 10.30am to 12pm & 12.30pm to 3.30pm
Combine a variety of components to make a coat of arms that describes your own family values. You will be able to choose from a selection of shield shapes, animals and patterns – which all have specific meanings. At the end, you’ll be able to snap a photo to show your friends your creation. This experience is not age or family size limited, bring yourself or your family to create something special together.
Ana Petrovici’s Magic Potion Workshop
Where? Activity area, Brampton Park
When? 10.30am to 10.50am; 11.30am to 11.50am; 1pm to 1.20pm; 2pm to 2.20pm & 3pm to 3.20pm
Ana will be delivering a potion making workshop inspired by medieval potions and inviting guests into the “Potions Apothecary” with participants’ helping to create a potion.
Calligraphy with Glen Jones
Where? Activity area, Brampton Park
When? 10.30am to 12.30pm & 1pm to 4pm
Have a go at Medieval Calligraphy with Brother James (aka local artist Glenn Jones.) Learn how feathers were turned into pens and how people shared their news before TikTok and Facebook.
Medieval Weaving by Historical Promotions
Where? Activity Area, Brampton Park
When? 10.30am to 1pm; 1.30pm to 4pm
See the technical craft of weaving first-hand in this demonstration and try it out yourself too!
Medieval Sewing by Sarah Thursfield
Where? Activity area, Brampton Park
When? 10.30am to 12.30pm & 1pm to 4pm
Try on some Medieval clothes and find out how they were made with our spinning, weaving and sewing display. Chat to costume re-enactors about laundry day and find out if medieval people really were that smelly.
Medieval Football with Historia Normannis
Where? Outdoor performance space
When? 11am to 11.15am
Enjoy this re-enactment of a football match medieval style! Acted out in handmade Medieval costumes.
Elka Evalds Storytelling
Where? Activity area, Brampton Park
When? 11am to 11.45am, 12.45pm to 1.30pm & 3pm to 3.45pm
Enjoy Elka’s tales of medieval times gone in her storytelling sessions.
Playful Peasants by Fabularium
Where? Starting at the croquet lawn. This is a walkabout performance – keep a look out!
When? 11.15am to 11.55am, 12.45pm to 1.25pm & 2.30pm to 3.10pm
The Playful Peasants are a group of medieval villagers exploring foreign lands, attempting conversation in their native language of Grammallo. Be prepare for mischief as these Playful Peasants are troublesome and love to make people laugh!
Listen to an audio introduction of this performance here
Shire Court by Historia Normannis
Where? Inside the Museum
When? 11.30am to 12pm
Watch the drama play out in this re-enactment of a court case from Medieval times. Giving you a sense of how the law and justice worked 800 years ago!
Jesters by Acro Jou
Where? Starting at the croquet lawn. This is a walkabout performance – keep a look out!
When? 11.45am to 12.15pm, 1.15pm to 1.45pm & 3pm to 3.30pm
Watch out for these Jesters and their acrobatic skills as they skip and tumble around Brampton Park entertaining the audience as they go.
Village Tournament by Historia Normannis
Where? Outdoor performance space
When? 1pm to 1.45pm
Cheer on your local village in this combat display with trained re-enactors fighting with spears and shields for your entertainment.
Hurried Histories by Historia Normannis
Where? Inside the Museum
When? 2.15pm to 2.45pm
A horrible histories style story of the Kings and Queens who ruled Medieval Newcastle. See the truth behind Good King Richard, why everyone hates Prince John and why you should boo him!
Medieval Dance Show by Daniel Jones Dance
Where? Inside the Museum
When? 2pm to 2.15pm
Enjoy a medieval dance show with live music from local students of Dan Jones school of dance and find out how you can give it a try.
Knights Tournament by Historia Normannis
Where? Outdoor performance space
When? 3.15pm to 4pm
Watch the grande finale as the knights and the armoured men of Newcastle show their skill with swords, shields and armour protecting them from all their foes can throw at them.
