15th Century family fun at Arundel Castle’s Medieval Festival
One of the South East’s largest historical re-enactment events will return this spring as Arundel Castle hosts its annual Medieval Festival – A Skirmish from Saturday 23rd to Monday 25th May 2026.
Set against the backdrop of the late 15th century, the three-day bank holiday weekend event will recreate England in 1480, a period of fragile peace following the Wars of the Roses. Visitors will witness the dramatic arrival of a French raiding party, as tensions unfold into twice-daily live combat demonstrations within the castle grounds.
The festival brings together experienced historical re-enactors, craftspeople and performers to recreate the sights, sounds and skills of medieval life. Three fully immersive encampments will be established across the grounds, where visitors can observe traditional craft demonstrations, period cooking techniques, falconry displays, dramatic fire-eating performances, weapons handling, artillery showcases and more.
The centrepiece of each day will be live staged combat ‘skirmishes’ staged against the historic backdrop of the castle, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience the tactics, armour and weaponry of 15th-century warfare in action.
Families are a key focus of the event, with have-a-go archery, axe throwing and structured ‘warrior training’ sessions available throughout the weekend. Arundel Castle’s popular children’s battles will also return, giving younger visitors the chance to take part in supervised, interactive combat scenarios designed specifically for them.
In addition to the programmed activities, visitors will have access to the castle’s grounds and gardens, with catering available throughout the weekend at The Knights’ Table, the castle café, coffee shop, or tea terrace, or bring a picnic to enjoy in the beautiful grounds.
Andrew Lewis, Castle Manager at Arundel Castle, said:
“We are delighted to once again welcome visitors to Arundel Castle for the Medieval Festival – A Skirmish over the late May Bank Holiday weekend. This event gives visitors a wonderful opportunity to experience the Castle and its grounds while gaining a deeper appreciation for our rich history.
“We take great pride in providing an immersive and engaging experience that is both educational and enjoyable for the whole family, with activities all included in the ticket price. We look forward to sharing this special event with our guests.”
Tickets for the Medieval Festival are available at www.arundelcastle.org, priced from £29.00 per adult, £13.00 for a child, or £71.00 for a Family Ticket. Children under five years old can enter for free. Garden-only tickets are not available for this event.
Please note that catering and event details are subject to change based on weather conditions; for full details, check the website. Arundel Castle reserves the right to change events or access to areas at any time. All catering is subject to menu & opening hours variations and availability. Age and height restrictions apply to some of the visitor activities.
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