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Medieval living history weekend

Step inside medieval life at Corfe Castle with hands-on crafts, castle characters, and the sights, sounds and skills of the past.

  • Booking not needed
  • Free event (admission applies)

Experience medieval life at Corfe Castle as the past comes to life for a special weekend of living history. Explore how the castle once functioned as a bustling home through a range of demonstrations and hands-on experiences. Discover traditional food and cooking, try your hand at historic crafts such as dying, spinning with a distaff, weaving or finger looping, and meet medieval characters sharing stories of life within the castle walls. There will be displays of armour and weapons, textiles, medieval toys and games, a wandering peddler, and demonstrations of everyday skills. With activities for all ages this is a chance to see, hear, smell and try the skills that shaped medieval life. Join us for a weekend that brings Corfe Castle’s medieval household vividly to life.

Times

Prices

Event ticket prices

This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.

Check admission prices

The basics

Suitability

This is a family friendly event

Meeting point

This event will take place in the Outer Bailey of Corfe Castle

What to bring and wear

Please wear clothing and footwear suitable for exploring a ruined castle.

Accessibility

This event will take place in the Outer Bailey which has step free access. For any accessibility queries please contact us on 01929 481294 or email corfecastle@nationaltrust.org.uk

Upcoming events

Home and Hearth: Archaeological finds exhibition 

Delve into the past and discover more about everyday life at Corfe Castle. This exhibition, hosted in Castle View Welcome Centre, showcases fascinating small finds from archaeological excavations.

Event summary

on
2 May to 31 Oct 2026
at 10:00 to 16:30+ 182 other dates or times

Early May Bank Holiday Weekend 

Live music, maypole dancing, LEGO® castle building, blacksmithing workshops, medieval dress-up. A packed bank holiday weekend for all the family.

Event summary

on
2 May to 4 May 2026
at 10:00 to 16:30+ 2 other dates or times

Blacksmithing Workshops - Medieval Keymaking 

Would you like to have a go at forging your very own medieval key?

Event summary

on
4 May 2026
at 10:30 to 11:30+ 4 other dates or times

May Half Term - Stories and Seedlings at Corfe Castle 

Grow, explore and time travel this May half term. Join us at Corfe Castle for a fun mix of hands‑on planting and interactive storytelling with the Keeper of the Castle, where families are welcomed as guests from the past.

Event summary

on
23 May to 31 May 2026
at 10:00 to 16:30+ 8 other dates or times