Butser Ancient Farm is an open-air experimental archaeology museum and active research centre. Their buildings include a Roman villa, Celtic village, Stone Age farm, and Saxon halls – all of which are reconstructed from UK archaeology, and open for the public to explore on weekends and holidays.

The story of Butser Ancient Farm began in 1970 with a decision by the Council for British Archaeology to establish a working ‘ancient farm’ where archaeologists could experiment to test their theories on how people lived in Iron Age times. Work started on a trial site known as Little Butser in 1972, with the first public Open Day in 1974. Due to public interest, the site soon moved and expanded – first to the nearby Valley of Hillhampton Down in 1976, and then to its current location at Bascomb Copse in 1991. The farm is now run by Butser Education Community Interest Company (CIC), a not-for-profit company with a focus on education and research.

One of the yearly events they host is for Equinox, where you can witness live folk music, re-enacted warrior battles, traditional crafts, and the highlight – burning a Viking longship at dusk. After the burn, we joined the lantern parade, walking folk back across the fields to the town. A heart-warming show of community and care for all. Finally, we were blessed to spend the night in a roundhouse, a beautiful end to my event season for the year!