Medieval Booker

Medieval Markets & Fairs ◆ England

England's Medieval Festival

England's Medieval Festival is a three-day jousting, living-history and market festival over the August bank holiday weekend, with camping, evening entertainment and a large 'Kid's Kingdom'. Founded in 1993 at Herstmonceux Castle, it moved in 2023 to The King's Grove at Pippingford Park in the Ashdown Forest, East Sussex.

Visit official site See upcoming dates

When is England's Medieval Festival 2026?

Next edition
– 2026 England's Medieval Festival 2026 See all editions
Where
Nutley, England
Type
Medieval Markets & Fairs Jousting & Tournaments Living History & Museums
Usually held
August bank holiday weekend
How often
Every year
Entry
Ticketed: day tickets, VIP day tickets and weekend tickets including four nights' camping; extras (banquet, workshops, shuttle) booked separately. Check the official site for current prices.
Family-friendly
Yes — bring the kids
Founded
1993
Official site
www.englandsmedievalfestival.com

Checked · we re-check every festival twice a year.

Past and upcoming editions

Editions of England's Medieval Festival
EditionDatesStatusCalendar
2026 edition – – 2026 Google Calendar · .ics · Get tickets
2027 edition – Expected 2027 Google Calendar · .ics

Expected means the organiser hasn't announced yet; we show the usual window.

What happens at England's Medieval Festival?

England’s Medieval Festival (EMF) began in 1993 in the grounds of Herstmonceux Castle and ran there for nearly three decades on the August bank holiday weekend. After the castle’s owners withdrew permission in 2022, the festival relocated in 2023 to The King’s Grove at Pippingford Park, a private estate near Nutley in the Ashdown Forest, East Sussex, roughly 30 km north-west of the old site. Herstmonceux Castle now runs its own separate medieval heritage weekend.

The festival bills itself as England’s premier medieval and Renaissance festival. Daytime (10:00–18:00 on 29–31 August 2026) brings jousting tournaments, living-history encampments, archery and falconry displays, a medieval and fantasy market, taverns, music stages and the Kid’s Kingdom family area. Evening entertainment with bands and a banquet runs 28–30 August (19:00–midnight) for weekend ticket holders, and weekend tickets include four nights of camping; glamping is also offered.

Tickets are sold by day or for the full weekend (with or without camping), with VIP day options and separately booked extras such as the banquet, archery and blacksmithing workshops and a shuttle bus. Prices change yearly and were not published in a form we could verify at research time, so check the official site. Attendance is in the thousands rather than the tens of thousands.

The site is a rural park off the A22 with limited public transport; most visitors drive or use the festival shuttle. The 2026 edition is on 29–31 August 2026; the 2027 edition is expected on the August bank holiday weekend, 28–30 August 2027.

Frequently asked questions

When is England's Medieval Festival 2027?

Not yet announced. It is always held on the August bank holiday weekend, so the expected dates are 28–30 August 2027.

Is England's Medieval Festival still at Herstmonceux Castle?

No. Since 2023 it has been held at The King's Grove, Pippingford Park, near Nutley in the Ashdown Forest, East Sussex.

How much are tickets?

Day and weekend tickets are sold online; weekend tickets include camping, and the banquet and workshops cost extra. Current prices are on the official website.

Is the festival family-friendly?

Yes. The Kid's Kingdom area, archery, falconry and the jousting are aimed at families; evening entertainment is for weekend ticket holders.

Can I camp at the festival?

Yes. Weekend tickets include four nights of camping with your own gear, and glamping options can be booked.

How do I get to Pippingford Park?

It is off the A22 between East Grinstead and Uckfield. Public transport is limited, so most visitors drive; the festival sells a shuttle-bus option.

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