Families Flock To Castle For Medieval Fun Day

Newark Castle Archers taught visitors, both young and old, to shoot like Robin Hood while Falconry UK had a range of beautiful birds on show from owls to vultures and even a kookaburra. Traditional crafts were sampled with instruction from Silverback Bushcraft and younger visitors enjoyed making their own swords and pennants with the team from the National Civil War Centre.

Lots of fun was had on the inflatable gladiator jousting and audiences filled the stunning Undercroft for fantastic performances from ‘The World’s Toughest Knight’ Sir William Marshall. Minstrels and jesters entertained with music and jaw-dropping displays of knife juggling while St George and the dragon stilt walkers thrilled guests as they roamed the grounds. Delicious refreshment were also on hand with wood-fired pizza from The Peel and pulled pork rolls from The Cheesy Pig.

Event organiser Sarah Clarke, Learning and Participation Manager at the Castle and National Civil War Centre, said: “We were delighted with the turn-out for this new event and so happy to see all the smiling faces of visitors enjoying everything we’d put on. We’re enormously grateful to The Gilstrap Charity for funding the event and hope there will be chances for us to repeat and develop it in years to come.”

The next event in this year’s Gilstrap Charity-funded Newark Castle Comes To Life programme will take place on Saturday 30^th and Sunday 31^st July. This time the focus will be on the 17^th century as the Castle grounds fill with Civil War re-enactors and ways to engage and interact with this fascinating period from its trade and craft to ways of life and military.

To stay up to date with future events at the Castle, follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NewarkCastleNotts.