🏰 From Chamber Pots to Viking Battles: Our Wild Day Out at Avoncroft!
Step Back in Time: Our Family Day Out at Avoncroft Museum's Living History Event
If you’re looking for a family day out that's packed with fun, a bit of education (the sneaky kind they don’t notice!) and plenty of giggles, then you need to pop Avoncroft Museum onto your list. We visited this weekend for their Living History Event, and honestly – it was brilliant!
Picture this: over 40 different reenactment groups, from the Stone Age to the Second World War, all gathered in one place, bringing history to life in the most fun and fascinating way.
A Full Day of Adventures (Without Breaking the Bank!)
The whole day cost us just under £40 for a family of four, which felt like incredible value considering everything there was to see and do. And with the sun shining (a rare miracle!), we were all set for a proper family adventure.
Everywhere you turned, there were people dressed up in amazing costumes, selling everything from mead to handmade clothing. The atmosphere was fantastic – full of energy, historical music, and the odd Viking sword fight breaking out! ⚔️
All Aboard the Miniature Train!
One of the first stops (and firm favourites with our two) was the miniature train – a ride-on train that cost just £1 a go. Safe to say, we ended up going on more than once because the kids couldn’t get enough!
Battles, Fashion Shows, and... Chamber Pots?
Throughout the day, there were performances from different eras – we watched battles, gun displays, and even a historic fashion show! The kids were completely captivated (and, so were we).
The museum itself is packed with old buildings to explore, and our two absolutely loved poking around them.
Highlights included:
🏠 The World War 2 prefab house, complete with a little boy’s bedroom filled with old toys – they were fascinated!
🚽 The Victorian house, where they learned all about chamber pots and found it absolutely hilarious…(not that they've recently potty trained, and well, peed in a pot.....)
There was even a reenactment group inside the Victorian house, cooking and eating just like they would have done back in the day (sorry for interrupting your lunch, lovely people!).
Ring, Ring... Daddy’s Not Answering!
The absolute highlight of the day for me?
The collection of old phone boxes! 🚸☎️
Not just for show – they were actually working and all interconnected!
Cue absolute chaos as the kids ran from box to box, ringing "Daddy" over and over – until my little girl dialled the wrong number and ended up speaking to a very lovely lady, much to her complete confusion ("That’s not Daddy!" 😳).
Luckily, the lady found it just as funny as we did!
Final Thoughts
By the end of the day, the kids were shattered (mission accomplished ✔️) and slept like absolute angels.
If you're after a day that's outdoorsy, packed with history, hands-on activities, and good old-fashioned family fun, we can’t recommend Avoncroft Museum enough.
It’s days like these that make the best memories – and bonus points for the learning that sneaks in without them even noticing!
Top Tips if You’re Planning a Visit:
Check if there’s a special event on – the Living History days are extra special.
Bring a few pounds in cash for train rides and market stalls.
Don't miss the phone boxes – honestly, they’re hilarious fun for all ages!
Grab lunch at the Victorian cafe – lots of family-friendly options and lovely atmosphere.
For more family-friendly ideas and days out, make sure you’re signed up to MyFamilyRewards.co.uk – we’re all about making family life that little bit easier (and cheaper!). 💛