Leasowe Castle hosts 'amazing' Wirral Viking Festival

Leasowe Castle hosted the Wirral Viking Festival on Saturday and Sunday (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 featured re-enactments, immersive story telling, talks and activities. It also gave visitors a chance to learn the story of the Wirral Vikings who settled here in 902AD and the Ancient Norse myths and legends.

The Wirral Viking Festival at Leasowe Castle on Saturday and Sunday (May 25 and 26) featured battle re-enactments, warrior training, workshops, performances, music, talks, stalls and more (Image: courtesy of Liberty Guy)Among the entertainment was 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 were also plenty of stalls, food and drink available throughout the day and night too.

Some of the stalls at the Wirral Viking Festival, which was held at Leasowe Castle on Saturday and Sunday (May 25 and 26) (Image: courtesy of Liberty Guy)Some of the visitors to Wirral Viking Festival, which was held at Leasowe Castle on Saturday and Sunday (May 25 and 26) (Image: courtesy of Liberty Guy)Getting into the spirit of the occasion at Wirral Viking Festival, which was held at Leasowe Castle on Saturday and Sunday (May 25 and 26) (Image: courtesy of Liberty Guy)Day two featured a similar line-up as well as a huge Viking funeral and boat burning that aimed, according to organiser Liberty Guy, "to end the weekend in emphatic style". 

Watching as the Viking Boat made by students at Wirral Met was ceremonially burned on day two of the Wirral Viking Festival on Sunday (May 26) (Image: courtesy of Liberty Guy)The Viking Boat made by students at Wirral Met was ceremonially burned on day two of the Wirral Viking Festival on Sunday (May 26) (Image: courtesy of Liberty Guy)The event's organisers have received Arts Council England funding to help towards keeping it sustainable for years to come.

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

Organiser Liberty Guy told the Globe: "The Wirral Viking Festival was very happy to welcome such an amazing turnout we have had such a great response for our first event. 

"We had a few issues with parking which we are looking forward to rectifying next year".

"We have had so many lovely comments about our traders, our performers and activities. 

"We would like to thank Leasowe Castle for hosting us and our amazing volunteers and staff for working so hard to bring this event to life.

"We have such a talented team of performers, re-enactment specialists, musicians and more.

"We have our Viking Boat Burning and Wirral Metropolitan College built our fantastic boat for our boat burning.

"Their talented students left me utterly speechless with their dedication, passion and commitment to this project, I am completely stunned by their talents."

The Wirral Viking Festival at Leasowe Castle on Saturday and Sunday (May 25 and 26) featured battle re-enactments, warrior training, workshops, performances, music, talks, stalls and more (Image: courtesy of Liberty Guy)The Wirral Viking Festival at Leasowe Castle on Saturday and Sunday (May 25 and 26) featured battle re-enactments, warrior training, workshops, performances, music, talks, stalls and more (Image: courtesy of Liberty Guy)The Wirral Viking Festival at Leasowe Castle on Saturday and Sunday (May 25 and 26) featured battle re-enactments, warrior training, workshops, performances, music, talks, stalls and more (Image: courtesy of Liberty Guy)