Butser Ancient Farm

11/06/2026

In our latest YouTube video, Butser treewright Darren introduces us to his ancient native woodland, where he gathers materials for the timber buildings you'll find around our ancient farm! ✨🌳

If you're interested in woodland crafts, you are welcome to join us for our inaugural Wood Fayre on 11-12 July, a lively weekend celebrating the rich traditions of woodland craft, bringing together talented makers and hands‑on demonstrations to inspire visitors of all ages.

Book your ticket here: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/whats-on/calendar/wood-fayre

Watch & subscribe: https://youtu.be/y6c9DfncdIM?si=Tg0xE2LqZk8t4Fxk

At Butser Ancient Farm we’ve been building an Anglo-Saxon house usi...

09/06/2026

Join us this month for our new immersive event STONE TO STEEL, exploring ancient crafts through history!

✨ Sat 27 - Sun 28 June
🔥 Normal admission applies
🐐 Annual pass holders go FREE!

During the weekend, a team of blacksmiths and craftspeople will be making items from the Iron Age, Roman, Saxon, Viking and Medieval periods.

Plus, enjoy full access to the farm with your ticket, including all our ancient buildings, historic gardens, rare breed animals & beautiful views of the South Downs.

Pre-book online to save £ with every ticket! 🔥 www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/whats-on/calendar/stone-to-steel

07/06/2026

We often describe Butser as a sanctuary, not only from the modern world - an escape from the daily grind of 21st century life - but a sanctuary of peace and quiet, surrounded as we are by the beautiful South Downs National Park.

This month on the Butser Plus blog, we’ve shared some of our regular wildlife sightings from around the farm, including hares in the Roman garden and an elusive white stag on the hill!

We are very proud of the biodiversity around Butser Ancient Farm, and we always encourage visitors to keep an eye out for wild wonders around the site. It’s one of the things that makes Butser such a haven for people and wildlife alike - our little slice of paradise where everyone feels welcome.

Find out more on our behind-the-scenes blog - exclusive to Butser Plus supporters: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/butserplus-blog-home

05/06/2026

Dads and father figures go FREE this Father's Day weekend!

✨ 20 - 21 June
🌞 See combat displays and try on armour!
🔥 Normal entrance prices apply - annual passholders go free!

Get hands-on with the past this Father’s Day and meet the Romans of the IX Legion. Find out how the army lived and fought in Britain with living history demonstrations and combat displays, and test your mettle with a spear-throwing activity!

Book here: https://www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/whats-on/calendar/fathers-day-roman-reenactment-living-history-h5ayy

04/06/2026

In March, we hosted a free day for locals to visit the farm and try out a range of heritage crafts, some of which are at risk of disappearing completely if the skills are not passed onto enough new craftspeople.

In our latest YouTube video, we explore the process of two heritage crafts tried on the day - tin casting and flint knapping!

The Heritage Craft Day was generously funded by East Hampshire District Council.

Watch & subscribe now:

In March 2026, we hosted a free day for locals to visit the farm an...

03/06/2026

How fantastic is this drawing of our Iron Age enclosure? 😍

One of our volunteers from the Experimentalists has drawn our roundhouse village with exceptional detail. We love seeing how our beautiful ancient farm captures the imagination of creative observers.

Hand-drawn by a very talented human - magnificent! ✨

01/06/2026

'THOR! Tall, brave, strong - but none too bright. Sometimes his days are not always full of heroic thunder, but instead are filled with hapless blunder!'

This summer, Rattlebox and Angel Heart Theatre bring the Nordic myths to life in this riotous puppet adventure through the thunder god’s greatest triumphs… and most ridiculous mistakes!

Amid the atmospheric surroundings of the farm, beneath the shelter of our Grand Marquee, you’ll be drawn into engaging storytelling brought to life with clever puppetry. With beautifully crafted puppets, sets and props, the performance captures the spirit of the original tales while making them wonderfully accessible for both adults and children.

Two family-friendly performances to choose from, including a bar selling snacks and locally produced cider, mead and a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Hot drinks and snacks will also be available to be purchased from our shop.

✨Friday 7th August

⚡Book the 4.30pm show https://butserancientfarm.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173681276

⚡Book the 7.00pm show https://butserancientfarm.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173681277

01/06/2026

Welcoming the month of June in our beautiful Saxon garden, bursting with medicinal plants, wildflowers & pollinators! ✨🌞

We are now back to term time opening, which means visitors can enjoy our wonderful ancient farm every Saturday and Sunday throughout this month.

Keep an eye on our website for special events, living history weekends & storytelling evenings: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/whats-on/calendar

31/05/2026

Calling all local hurdle and spar makers!

Put your traditional skills to the test at the Butser Wood Fayre, with hurdle and spar making competitions taking place on Sunday 12th July as part of the weekend celebrations.

These friendly but fiercely skilled contests honour two crafts at the heart of Britain’s woodland heritage. Whether you’re an experienced maker or simply keen to challenge yourself, it’s a brilliant chance to showcase your technique, speed and craftsmanship in the historic setting of Butser Ancient Farm.

SPAR MAKING COMPETITION - Sponsored by the National Society of Master Thatchers, this competition celebrates the traditional craft of shaping and splitting hazel into strong, flexible thatching spars - an essential skill in the historic art of thatched roofing. Competitors will demonstrate precision, speed, and craftsmanship as they work to produce usable spars using time‑honoured techniques.

HURDLE MAKING COMPETITION - Sponsored by the South Downs National Park Trust and the South Downs National Park, competitors will showcase their skill in splitting, shaping, and weaving hazel into sturdy panels - a traditional craft once essential to farming and rural life.

Visitors are welcome to watch the competitions throughout the day, cheering on the makers as they work against the clock.

If you’d like to take part, simply click the link below to enter either competition, or to book tickets for our wonderful Wood Fayre: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/whats-on/calendar/wood-fayre

30/05/2026

We are hiring for TWO vacancies!

Join our small team in the beautiful South Downs, and make all your prehistorical dreams come true... 🦣✨🔥🏺🐏🌿

MARKETING ASSISTANT
We are looking for a creative Marketing Assistant to help tell our story, grow our brand and share the incredible work happening across the Farm. This is a rare opportunity to shape the voice of a significant experimental archaeology site, where ancient worlds come alive through education, events, research and unforgettable visitor experiences.

TEACHING ASSISTANT
We are currently looking for enthusiastic Teaching Assistants to support the delivery of engaging, curriculum-linked learning experiences for a wide range of school groups, from primary through to secondary level. This is a hands-on, rewarding role where no two days are the same!

You can find all the details and how to apply on our website here: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/vacancies

We can't wait to hear from you! 🔥