World Wars Weekend

Demonstrations

Our live interpreters will deliver a selection of dramatic war stories on a variety of topics about throughout the weekend. 

Saturday 8 November

Second World War: D-Day Landings 12pm
Hear how one man survived the largest ever amphibious assault, based on first-hand accounts from American soldiers.

Combat: The Victorian Sword Master 1pm
Learn about the Dreyfus Affair, a famous French military scandal that provoked a sword duel to first blood!

Second World War: The Chindits 2pm
Hear the story of an audacious British raid that penetrated deep behind Japanese lines in Burma.

Second World War: Weapons of the Red Army 3pm
The Eastern front of the Second World War was some of the most vicious fighting seen in human history. Learn about what weapons the Soviet soldiers used to fight the Nazis.

Sunday 9 November

Second World War: D-Day Landings 12pm
Hear how one man survived the largest ever amphibious assault, based on first-hand accounts from American soldiers.

Combat: Roman vs Celt  1pm
Watch this clash of two mighty warrior cultures armed with sword, shield and spear.

First World War: When the Guns Stopped Firing 2pm
Listen to a soldier recount his feelings at the moment when the First World War ended on 11 November 1918.

Second World War: Special Operations Executive 3pm
Learn about some of the dirtier tactics of British spies in the Second World War.

Gun-firings

Saturday, 11am, outdoor amphitheatre, free.

See the firing of standard issue rifles used by British and German forces during the First World War.

Art Kart

Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm.

Create your own pilot’s mask, or design a camouflaged plane.

Suitable for ages 5+ with parental supervision.

Suggested donation £3.

Remembrance

Sunday 10:50am.
Join us in remembrance, as we observe the national two-minute's silence, followed by the blank-firing of First World War rifles, and the reading of the poem, Naming of Parts, by Second World War poet and soldier Henry Reed.

Firefight: The Second World War

Through objects, imagery, and film, we explore the weapons, armour, ammunition types and methods of fighting developed by all sides to increase their chances of winning. Training and manufacturing are also explored,  they would also prove key to the eventual Allied victory. Permanent gallery display, War gallery, Floor 3.

VE|VJ Day

To commemorate VE and VJ Day, our Objects in Focus display in the War Gallery tells the story of the end of the Second World War. This new display focuses on the weapons used in the Pacific conflict, combined with quotes from those serving at the time.