Step back a 1000 years at our Festival!
Visit Wareham is putting on a day of Saxon fun as a celebration of the town’s unique heritage. The Wareham Saxon Festival on the 14th AUGUST will have living history displays and reenactments, a great variety of tempting food stalls (or bring your own picnic), a bar, a selection of arts and crafts stalls to browse, plus live music and entertainment throughout the day! The Festival is also supporting and raising money for the local charity Friends of MS Purbeck.
** For everyone planning to come along tomorrow to the Wareham Saxon Festival –
There is plenty of FREE PARKING on the adjoining field at the Rugby Club (BH20 4HY)
Please DO NOT PARK on Bestwall road. **
It looks like its going to be a hot one
Please come prepared with sun cream / hats etc. There will be some seating but you are welcome to bring your own chairs / picnic blankets etc. There is drinking water at the club for water bottle refills. Hope you have a great day!
Attractions at the Wareham Saxon Festival
• Living history displays including have-a-go sessions and activities for kids.
• Reenactments and displays by Saxon and Viking warriors
• History talks & stories to entertain – some with fire breathing dragons!
• Food & Drink. Good variety of delicious food stalls – including roast suckling pig, pizzas, burgers etc. Plus the Rugby Club bar will be open!
• Arts and crafts stalls
• Live music and entertainment! From Wareham Town Band, The Bovington Military Wives Choir and the Wareham Whalers.
• FREE PARKING!
Please Note: Although fireworks were planned the organizers have taken the decision to withdraw them due to the increased fire risk caused by the dry weather. BBQs ARE NOT allowed on the Festival site but you are welcome to bring a picnic.
Scroll down to find out more on the groups appearing at the Wareham Saxon Festival, plus the Auction of Promises and Wareham Saxon Festival FAQs …
Tickets available now!
Tickets also available to purchase at A.F. Joy, 35 North Street, Horseys Giftware, 27 North St, and Not Just Sundaes Community Cafe in Trinity Church, South Street.
Celebrate Wareham's Saxon Heritage!
Wareham owes much of its origins to the Saxon period as evidenced by the Saxon earthwork walls that surround town. (Read more about Wareham’s Saxon history). So to celebrate Wareham amazing history were bringing the Saxon age back to Wareham!
With a large Viking army camp at one end of the grounds and a Saxon one at the other – what could possibly go wrong? The Siege of Wareham AD 875 again?! Here’s some of the Saxons and Vikings appearing at the Wareham Saxon Festival
Hrafnslith
Hrafnslith are bringing down dozens of their members to do an impressive living history encampment, with numerous authentic period tents, demonstrating a variety of Saxon/Viking Age crafts, skills, games and pastimes. They will also provide combat displays where warriors fight equipped with a variety of weaponry!
Saexia
SAEXIA is an early medieval reenactment society, formed in 2019. Events you can expect include living history demonstrations, have a go archery, and axe throwing! Plus of course reenactment combat display in the traditional Dark Ages manner.
Saxon Forager, Craig Brooks
Saxon Forager, Craig Brooks, author of the ‘Eat like a Viking!’ cook books. From foraging to making butter, cheese & flatbreads, sausages and much else. Food preparation and cooking will be done over an open fire using replica viking cookware and knives.
Tales from the Hart
Tales from the Hart are storytellers committed to keeping legends of old alive, such as great tales from the Iron Age – with fire breathing dragons!
Ancient Wessex Network
Ancient Wessex Network are a group of craft workers, artists, and experimental archaeologists. They will bring alive ancient pottery, jewellery making, textile working, bead-jewellery making and Bronze-casting.
Tickets available now!
Music at the Wareham Saxon Festival
Wareham Town Band
The Wareham Town Band has existed since at least the 26th of July 1855. Today the band plays at fetes in and around the Purbeck region, from Puddltown to Wool and beyond. They also participate in Civic events such as Remembrance Day celebrations.
Bovington Military Wives Choir
Bovington MWC aims to bring women in the Bovington military community closer together through singing. Following the enormous success of the No.1 single ‘Wherever You Are’, which raised more than £500,000 for military charities SSAFA & The Royal British Legion, the Military Wives Choirs Foundation was established in 2012 by a small group of military wives from the first choirs, supported by SSAFA, as a charitable network to support women in the British military community.
The Wareham Whalers
The Wareham Whalers have been rocking the boat with their powerful shanties since 2004. Singing shanties as they would have been sung for work on board ships. There’s certainly never a dull moment when the Whalers are about!
Auction of Promises
Local businesses have generously donated to an ‘Auction of Promises’ to help us raise money for the local charity the festival is supporting – Friends of Purbeck MS.
The auction is online until the day of the Wareham Saxon Festival, 14th of August. There’s a great variety of vouchers or promises on offer including meals out at local restaurants, a day retreat at the Knoll House Hotel, museum tickets, local shop vouchers, and tours of Wareham including the walls and the bell tower of Lady St Mary’s Church!
Friends of MS Purbeck is a project of Swanage and Purbeck Development Trust
Company Ltd by Guarantee – 8743407. Charity Number 1162662.
Wareham Saxon Festival - FAQ
When is the festival in Wareham?
Sunday 14th August. Gate opens at 11 am. Ends approx. 8 pm.
Where is the Wareham Saxon Festival taking place?
The Swanage and Wareham Rugby Football Club, Bestwall Rd, Wareham BH20 4HY.
How to get there?
The Rugby club is just a 2 minute drive or a short 9 minute walk from Wareham town centre.
Is there parking at the Festival?
There is plenty of FREE parking in the adjoining field. Directions at the site.
Can I bring a picnic ?
Yes you are welcome to bring a picnic, blankets, chairs (there will be some free seating available). NO BBQs allowed.
Are children welcome?
Yes this is a family friendly festival.
Are dogs welcome ?
No dogs are not allowed unless a guide dog.
Are there facilities for disabled ?
The Rugby Club is a flat, grassy area so is accessible. The car park is a short walk in the adjoining field but we will have some space for some parking for disability badge holders next to the clubhouse. There are disabled toilets available at the Club.