Families experienced medieval life in period costume as they went back in time for a two-day Fathers’ Day special event at Buckland Abbey.

The abbey’s National Trust team staged the interactive living history weekend to encourage fathers and their children to enjoy demonstrations of craft and archery and market stall activities – all while dressed as knights, traders and other historic costumes.

The abbey, with its rich history dating back to the thirteenth century, was transformed into an exciting, vibrant medieval village packed with the sights, smells and sounds of life hundreds of years ago. Families were transported back in time for an educational and entertaining weekend.

 

Buckland Abbey Fathers' Day event featured dads and sons dressing in Medieval costume.
Buckland Abbey’s Fathers' Day event gave dads and sons the perfect excuse to dress up in medieval costume. (Barry Mitchell)

 

Buckland Abbey's Fathers' Day medieval event included a woman knitting and her patient dog.
A woman in period costume knitting with her patient dog looking on. (Barry Mitchell)

Buckland Abbey's Fathers' Day involved boys and their fathers dressing in Medieval costume.
Donning armour (Barry Mitchell)

 

A boy joins in the Medieval activities at Buckland Abbey's Fathers' Day event.
Going back in time in the kitchen (Barry Mitchell)

    

   

Buckland Abbey Father's Day: Children getting into the swing of Medieval village life.
Buckland Abbey Father's Day: Children getting into the swing of Medieval village life. (Barry Mitchell)

The abbey, now a house with a combination of furnished rooms and interactive museum galleries, tells the story of how two former owners, the sea captains and privateers – Sir Richard Grenville and Sir Francis Drake – changed both the shape of the house and the fate of the country.        

Families lived a Medieval day at Buckland Abbey's Father's Day event.
Getting into character (Barry Mitchell)