The Loxwood Joust
Photo credit: The Loxwood Joust
The UK's most spectacular mediaeval festival is this weekend at The Loxwood Meadow, West Sussex
The hazy sun lays shadows lithe and long acrossa midsummer meadow…
People gather to wait and watch, idly feasting on roasted hog and ale. Suddenly, the clatter of children is silenced by the thunder of hooves and the furious snorting of horses. The peaceful air is pierced by the screech of battle cry and the sleepy scene shattered by the clash of swords…
This, good sir’s, is the Loxwood Joust!
The Loxwood Joust is the most spectacular mediaeval festival in the UK. Not only is there full contact jousting twice a day but you can also witness daring displays of weaponry, archery and cannon fire as fully armoured knights prepare to meet in a thunderous battle.
Throughout the festival you will find a treasure trove of lifestyles long lost in the mists of time.
Wander the Living History Village situated in the Mediaeval Meadow where inhabitants live and work exactly as they would have centuries ago. The traditional wares that would have been plied by such folk can be found in The Mediaeval Market Place. There are many stalls selling arts and crafts old and new where traders and hawkers vie for your attention as wandering minstrels, the court jester, and dance troupes entertain throughout the day.
The younger ones have their very own Children's Kingdom, a festival within a festival. Here the currency is the Mediaeval Groat, which will buy children many indulgent pleasures. This “Mini Mediaeval Mayhem” includes Have-A-Go-Archery, Face and Wound Painting, Pelt The Peasant, Have-a-Go Jousting and a bouncy castle.
Let your thirst for knowledge be sated in the Mediaeval Learning Zone with fun and entertaining talks by The Medieval Housewife who tells the Apothecary’s Tale. The Executioner will explain the gruesome details of mediaeval torture, a subject not for the fainthearted! The Pedler will describe the battle of Agincourt and how we use mediaeval phrases in the 21st century.
And, if after all the excitement you need to rest, why not allow the Mediaeval Baebes, maidens fair, to soothe your weary souls and transport you to a fairytale world with their romantic songs of chivalry, love and loss.
The Loxwood Joust is a pageant of passion, a festival of filthe and fury!
Aug 2-3; 10am-6pmTickets: adults £15 (£12 advance) kids (4-14 yrs) £7 (£6 advance) under 4s free, family £38
Click here
