Having flagged up York’s Viking Festival in last week’s Inside Track, I started looking at some of the many living history events that fill the UK’s calendar each year.  What I’ve found is an Aladdin’s Cave of edge-of-your-seat historical re-enactments and living history experiences that add something really special to any customised tour.

I know you’re very busy but let me set some balls rolling with a couple of new July/August tours (not set departures) which bring together Roman Legionnaires preparing for Battle on Hadrian’s Wall; Kynren, an action-packed blockbuster performed by a cast and crew of 1000 and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Jousting tournaments take place at several castles during the year and the big final event of the season is the staging of the 1066 Battle of Hastings in October 2019.

Next week, the focus will reveal how more living history experiences in the south of England and south Wales can be worked into customised tours and pre or post cruise extensions.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL MY AMERICAN FRIENDS. 

Thundering Hooves and a Skirl of the Pipes

Looking for something loaded with the WOW factor?  Take three countries - Wales, England and Scotland, 4 great heritage cities - Chester, York, Durham and Edinburgh and add 3 authentic and historic events.  You’ve just found it with this July/August itinerary best served with a direct flight into the northern gateway of Manchester.  Ask me for details of this fantastic experience.

Romans, Medieval Knights and the Edinburgh Tattoo

This unique England and Scotland tour includes a performance of Kynren, the UK’s must-see, mesmerising live action extravaganza, the dramatic Clash of the Romans at Chesters Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall and a memorable evening of pipers, drummers and musicians taking part in one of the biggest military shows in the UK – The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.

An Epic Tale on an Epic Scale

Kynren, the UK’s ‘must see’ spectacular live outdoor show takes place in County Durham in England’s north east. In just 90 minutes, this world-class performance takes you on a breath-taking time travel adventure through 2,000 years of history, myth and legend.  Set against the magnificent backdrop of Auckland Castle, it’s delivered by a 1,000-strong cast and some awesome pyrotechnics and special effects.

Clash of the Romans

On Saturday 3 to Sunday 4 August 2019, Roman legionaries will return to Chesters Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall to do battle, almost 2,000 years since the Romans first invaded, at this display of Roman soldiers getting ready for battle and practicing the drills, combat skills, battle tactics and artillery firepower that made the Roman Army such a formidable fighting force.

Jousting at English Castles

Between Tuesday 23rd and Sunday 28th, July 2019, the undisputed highlight of Arundel Castle’s events calendar – the International Jousting Tournament – is the world’s longest tournament of its kind and promises edge-of-your-seat excitement as knights mounted on horseback, clad in gleaming full plate armour, lead an action-packed programme.  Other action-packed castles-based tourneys take place at Hever, Leeds and Warwick.

Hastings 1066

Next October, hundreds of soldiers and knights on horseback clash in a remake of the Battle of Hasting, the most famous battle in English history. Re-enactors will bring the atmosphere and tension of the 1066 conquest to life as King Harold and his Saxon army take on Duke William and his Norman soldiers in a fight for the English throne.  More to follow.