Brancepeth Castle
Our second dragons event for families is Saturday 22nd March 2-5pm!
Calling all knights, princesses, dragons and their attendants.
Bring a sword and shield, put on your best dress, spread your wings and join us at Brancepeth Castle!
Do they fly south for warmer weather?
Does their inner fire keep them warm?
Or do they curl up on piles of gold deep in a cave?
Hear the dragons tell their tales, and get creative making dragon memories.
Tickets:
Saturday 22nd March 2-5pm
£2 children (under 14), £3 adult
Available in our ticket shop
Bringing long-forgotten stories of the North East's dragons back to life with beautiful hand-crafted puppets. From puppets that sit on the hand to the Lambton Worm - the three person monster!
What's happening:
Dragon story telling, dragon puppets, medivael re-enactment, and selection of free and paid crafts and activities throughout the afternoon.
- Watch a performance
- Listen to a story
- Meet the dragons - have a photo with your favourite dragon puppet, find out how they are made, and how they move
- Be inspired and imagine your own dragon to add to the Dragonology book.
- Share stories in the dragon book book corner
- Find out about rich history of North-East dragon folklore in the Radical Dragons exhibition.
Crafts and Activities:
Wield a Sword and Shield with Outlaws and Vagabonds
Join "Outlaws and Vagabonds" living history group in the courtyard to wield a sword and find out what it takes to be a knight. Learn the names for different pieces of armour and weaponary. See the living history clothes and artefacts.
Become a Dragon with Crooked Halo Crafts
Come and see Crooked Halo Crafts and decide if you are you a Prince, Princess or a Dragon? Use gems and other sparkly things to make a wonderful crown, choose the shape of the crown you want and make your own bespoke royal headwear. Or a make a 3D dragon mask, decide what type of dragon you would like to be then decorate it with colour, sparkly things and washi tape. A small charge applies for each make.
Make a Mini Monster Friend with Hippy Lizard
While you are here visiting the realm of dragons, create your very own little monster to take with you on future adventures.
Easy to make out of felt with a few simple stitches or glue and a little imagination; then your new friend can be fitted with a brooch back ready for your travels.
£3 per monster.
Buy a Beautiful Box from FiftyEleven
FiftyEleven specialises in hand tooled woodwork made with traditional methods and inspired by designs throughout history.
Handcrafted work that includes pyrography alongside the occasional bit of carving to enhance the natural beauty of the wood; every piece is unique, and stems from an abiding love of making the practical pretty.
Good to know:
- Fancy dress encouraged for young and old alike - come as a knight, a princess, a medieval personage, a dragon...
- Cafe for drinks and dragon snacks, or bring a picnic.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- Access to the castle interior is via eight steps (assistance can be given carrying up pushchairs)
- Free parking outside the castle on the grass (sat-nav DH7 8DF).
- 5 minute walk from Brancepeth Village bus stop, buses every 20 minutes (46 Durham-Crook service).
(Dragon photo credits: https://www.instagram.com/williamjamesphoto)
