Wirral Viking Festival at Leasowe Castle next weekend

Leasowe Castle will host the Wirral Viking Festival on May 25 and 26 - featuring a host of events including re-enactments, warrior training, workshops, performances, music, talks, stalls and more.

The 'family-friendly' event will feature re-enactments, immersive story telling, talks and activities. It will also give visitors a chance to learn the story of the Wirral Vikings who settled here in 902AD and the Ancient Norse myths and legends.

A spokesperson for the organisers said: "With something for everyone across the two days, Wirral Viking Festival promises to be entertaining, enlightening and engaging — bringing something new and unique to Wirral."

The opening day (Saturday, May 25) will feature a wide range of events from 10am-10.30pm.

Preparing for the inaugural Wirral Viking Festival, which will be held at Leasowe Castle next Saturday and Sunday (May 25 and 26) (Image: courtesy of Justin Hopper and Liberty Guy)Among the entertainment will be warrior training and workshops, The Saga Of Ingimund & The Wirral Vikings re-enactment, The Wirral Drummers, The Inferno Sisters, talks from Viking experts, chanting, dance and more. There will be plenty of stalls, food and drink available throughout the day and night too.

Day two (Sunday, May 26), will feature a similar line-up as well as a huge Viking funeral and boat burning aims, according to the organiser, "to end the weekend in emphatic style". The event is open from 10am-11pm. 

The event's organisers have received Arts Council England funding to help towards keeping it sustainable for years to come.

Organiser Liberty Guy said: "We are Wirral's biggest, national Viking event. I'm really excited to be bringing this fun, immersive and educational festival to Wirral for its first year.

"There's been lots of planning but the weekend is soon upon us and I'm really looking forward to celebrating our rich Viking heritage.

Preparing for the inaugural Wirral Viking Festival, which will be held at Leasowe Castle next Saturday and Sunday (May 25 and 26) (Image: courtesy of Justin Hopper and Liberty Guy)"We have such a talented team of performers, re-enactment specialists, musicians and more - it's going to be be incredible!

"We have our Viking Boat Burning and Wirral Metropolitan College have built our fantastic boat for our boat burning. Their talented students have left me utterly speechless with their dedication, passion and commitment to this project, I am completely stunned by their talents".

The Viking Boat that was built by Wirral Metropolitan College and will be burned on second day of the Wirral Viking Festival at Leasowe Castle on Sunday, May 26  (Image: courtesy of Liberty Hughes)The Viking Boat that was built by Wirral Metropolitan College students and will be burned on second day of the Wirral Viking Festival at Leasowe Castle on Sunday, May 26 (Image: courtesy of Liberty Hughes)The Viking Boat that was built by Wirral Metropolitan College students and will be burned on second day of the Wirral Viking Festival at Leasowe Castle on Sunday, May 26 (Image: courtesy of Liberty Hughes)She continued: "There’s so much on offer over the weekend. As well as all the entertainment and performances, you can learn how to cook Viking food, do basket weaving, learn how to play ancient instruments and more.

"It’s far more than just a festival — you get to learn so much and can take away new skills for life. I can’t wait to bring all this to Wirral for our first event.

"All of our workshops, demonstrations, re-enactments, children's activities and live music performances are included with our tickets."

The festival organisers work closely with local museums, historians, ecologists and archaeologists as part of educational and historical talks, lectures and demonstrations.

For tickets and more details go to: https://buytickets.at/thewirralvikingfestival/952464

Entry for under 12s is free.