Immersive event will include historical re-enactors, authentic uniforms and live demonstrations
Eden Camp welcomes the return of its highly anticipated Living History Weekend, this August bank holiday. Set to run on Saturday and Sunday, August 23 and 24, the immersive event will transport visitors back to the 1940s, offering an unforgettable opportunity to experience history brought to life.
The Living History Weekend will showcase an array of historical re-enactors who will recreate the sights, sounds, and stories of World War II. From British and US Army soldiers to German Prisoners of War, visitors will gain unique insights into the lives of those who lived through the era.
You can pop on your dancing shoes and enjoy live wartime singing and entertainment over the duration of the weekend, as the whole site, near Malton, is transported back to the 1940s. Attendees can engage with the re-enactors, explore authentic uniforms, and learn about wartime challenges through interactive displays, engaging talks, and live demonstrations.
Visitors will be able to find out about the select group of courageous individuals whose job it was to defuse unexploded bombs. They can also listen in and watch the work of RAF personnel in the Ops Room as they send aircraft off on sorties and operations.
There will also be activities and presentations focusing on life on the Home Front, including the Save It and Salvage Schemes, Air Raid precautions and what it was like to live in a pre-fab. Nick Hill, museum manager at Eden Camp, said: “Our Living History Weekend is a fantastic opportunity for visitors to experience and engage with history.
“There’s a chance to interact with dedicated re-enactors and gain insights into the past in a unique way. We’re really looking forward to welcoming families, history buffs, and all who are curious about the wartime era to join us for this special weekend.”
All event activities are included in the standard admission fee, making this an affordable day out for families, said the museum. Visitors are encouraged to dress in period-appropriate civilian or military attire to enhance the experience.
However, all weapons (including deactivated and blank-firing) are strictly prohibited, and out of respect for historical sensitivities, SS/Gestapo uniforms and Russian attire/equipment will not be permitted. Whether you are a Second World War history buff or just looking for a unique family day out, there is something for everyone at Eden Camp.
Award-winning Eden Camp is the only remaining prisoner of war camp in Britain, built in 1942, where the original huts have been preserved and turned into immersive and engaging displays welcoming tens of thousands of visitors each year. More than 25,000 children visit each year for formal educational tours.
The huts have been re-equipped to tell the story of The People’s War, the social history of life in Britain from 1939 to 1945 – featuring a new Blitz experience in Hut 5. The collection at Eden Camp includes historic military vehicles, thousands of military items and it has an archive collection with over 103,000 documents, artefacts and photographs.
For an educational, entertaining, and immersive journey through history, book your tickets for Eden Camp’s Living History Weekend. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit edencamp.co.uk