October Half Term  

23rd to 31st October 2021  10 – 4pm 

Normal admission prices.

Book tickets here

This October Half Term join us to witness the turning of the seasons at this magical time of year, known to our ancestors as Samhain…

This was a period when it was believed the veil between the worlds is very thin and was a time for communication with the ancestors– why not travel back in time and discover what life was like thousands of years ago?

During the half term, we will be celebrating the (almost!) completion of our Bronze Age Roundhouse project. This striking new building was constructed over the summer of 2021 in collaboration with Operation Nightingale - a Ministry of Defence initiative which aids in the recovery of wounded, sick and injured Military personnel by getting them involved in archaeological projects. This is the first time the Bronze Age has been represented here at Butser Ancient Farm and fills in the gap in our timeline of ancient homes from the Stone Age to the Anglo Saxon period. 

Discover more about life in the past with guided activities such as pottery making, demonstrations such as bronze smelting and more bringing the Bronze Age to life. (activities will differ each day and be confirmed nearer the time) There will also be a simple trail for children to follow as you explore our beautiful corner of the South Downs National Park. 

DAILY ACTIVITIES (PLEASE NOTE MANY ACTIVITIES ARE RUN BY OUR WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

• Saturday 23rd October

  • Meet the Bronze Age re-enactors

  • Have a go at making your own Bronze Age pot

  • Try making cordage - an important material in the construction of our Bronze Age Roundhouse!

• Sunday 24th October -

  • Have a go at making your own Bronze Age pot

  • Try making cordage - an important material in the construction of our Bronze Age Roundhouse!

• Monday 25th October

  • Have a go at making your own Bronze Age pot

  • Try making cordage - an important material in the construction of our Bronze Age Roundhouse!

  • Talk - Samhain and Skeletons - 11.30am

  • Talk - Building a Bronze Age Roundhouse - 2pm

• Tuesday 26th October

  • Watch Bronze Smelting in action

  • Have a go at making your own Bronze Age pot

  • Try making cordage - an important material in the construction of our Bronze Age Roundhouse!

  • Talk - Samhain and Skeletons - 11.30am

  • Talk - Building a Bronze Age Roundhouse - 2pm

• Wednesday 27th October

  • Watch Bronze Smelting in action

  • Have a go at making your own Bronze Age pot

  • Try making cordage - an important material in the construction of our Bronze Age Roundhouse!

  • Talk - Samhain and Skeletons - 11.30am

  • Talk - Building a Bronze Age Roundhouse - 2pm

• Thursday 28th October

  • Have a go at making your own Bronze Age pot

  • Try making cordage - an important material in the construction of our Bronze Age Roundhouse!

  • Talk - Samhain and Skeletons - 11.30am

  • Talk - Building a Bronze Age Roundhouse - 2pm

• Friday 29th October

  • Watch Bronze Smelting in action

  • Have a go at making your own Bronze Age pot

  • Try making cordage - an important material in the construction of our Bronze Age Roundhouse!

  • Talk - Samhain and Skeletons - 11.30am

  • Talk - Building a Bronze Age Roundhouse - 2pm

• Saturday 30th October

  • Meet the Romans

  • Meet the Iron Age Celt

  • Have a go at making your own Bronze Age pot

  • Try making cordage - an important material in the construction of our Bronze Age Roundhouse!

• Sunday 31st October

  • Meet the Romans

  • Meet the Iron Age Celt

  • Have a go at making your own Bronze Age pot

  • Try making cordage - an important material in the construction of our Bronze Age Roundhouse!

  • Discover more about the construction of our Bronze Age Roundhouse form one of the veterans involved.

Butser Ancient farm at Christmas

Forget the commercial Holidays, and go back in time to explore our ancient buildings brought to life by festive story telling, crafts & activities this Christmas, and discover festive traditions from a time long forgotten!

More Info

Butsers ancient farm is a step back in History to a time when things in England were a bit simpler.  Come and explore times gone by, get messy playing while learning. We run events all year round which reflect what would have been celebrated in Ancient times.