Stokesay Castle goes back to the civil war

Stokesay Castle will be taken back to the 1600s on Sunday and Monday as the sights, smells and sounds of the English Civil War come to the historic site, near Craven Arms.

English Heritage is inviting visitors to come along and interact with soldiers and their families setting up camp to prepare for battle

The Wardour Garrison reenactment group will be sleeping, eating and training in the castle grounds as well as bringing to life the crafts and skills of the time, including embroidery, spinning and how lace is made.

Julie Hall-Brett, Stokesay Castle site manager, said: “Whether you’re a Royalist or a Parliamentarian there will be plenty to see and do this late May Bank Holiday at Stokesay Castle.

“Our action-packed programme is sure to leave you inspired and entertained.”

Civil War cooks will be preparing authentic 17th Century recipes for the soldiers’ lunch and cooking over open fire.

There will be a chance to learn how to play board games of the period and try your hand as a scribe with a real quill pen, and weapon demonstrations will be taking place with hand weapons including pike and bill.

The soldiers will also be loading and firing muskets and putting the mighty cannon into practice.

Stokesay’s 17th century surgeon’s wife will be on hand in case anything happens, offering accounts of her husband’s bloody trade and other grim goings-on, while teaching amputation techniques and the use of live leeches in surgery.

Junior soldiers are also welcome on the weekend, with opportunities to try on armour, and take part in a sword skills workshop to learn how to defend themselves in battle.

The Civil War Garrison encampment will be in place on on both days from 11am until 5pm. The day is free for English Heritage members, £8.80 for adults and £5.30 for children. A family ticket is available at £22.90.