International festival with Viking reenactment to take place this weekend in Worcestershire, England

Almost 30 reenactment groups will gather during the weekend to showcase life from the Stone Age, through the Viking era, to the 20th century.

Furthermore, dozens of trader stalls will be set up in and around the historic buildings. Visitors will be able to buy traditionally and historically inspired items and artifacts at these stalls, including handmade souvenirs and jewelry.

Museum director Zoe Willems stated that she was very excited about the International Living History Festival moving its base to the Midlands, the Bromsgrove Advertiser reports.

Willems: An exciting place where history comes to life

"My vision for Avoncroft Museum is for it to be an exciting place where history comes to life," Willems noted.

"To have so many re-enactors from different periods on the same weekend will be a fantastic experience – imagine smelling the smoke rising up from an English Civil War encampment, then being invited to join a Tudor dance, before turning a corner to find a full Napoleonic artillery section drawn up by the Windmill.

"It's accessible and fun for people of all ages and interests. And it's amazing how much you can learn when you're having fun!" she said.

Viking reenactment includes a broad range of activities. Source: Max / Unsplash

Increasing in popularity

The festival was previously held in Essex.

Dave Allan from Pike and Shot Events, who organize the International Living History Festival, said that re-enactment is increasing in popularity.

"Reenactment and living history are growing ever-more popular, and we had just run out of space at our previous site.

"We are excited to partner with Avoncroft Museum, which is the perfect place for multi-period re-enactment, living history, and trading, with lots of open space and historic buildings from every era."

Those who plan to visit can buy tickets on the day of the event or online at a discounted rate before the weekend.