Friday 31 July to Saturday 1 August 2026
What’s the Yeavering Festival of Archaeology?
Step into the ancient world of Northumbria at the Festival of Archaeology: a unique, on-site event held at Gefrin, the site of the royal Anglo-Saxon Summer Palace located just 4 miles from Wooler at Yeavering.
This festival, from Friday 31 July to Saturday 1 August 2026, invites visitors of all ages to explore the rich archaeology, history, and heritage of the region through immersive experiences, live demonstrations, and expert insights.
Tickets
Tickets for daily attendance on Friday and Saturday and evening attendance on Friday are required and can be purchased here.
What to expect
Join us at the site of Ad Gefrin, Yeavering, from 10am to 4pm daily for activities. Refreshments provided in the field.
- Acle Re-enactments & Encampment (Friday 31st July and Saturday 1st August)
- Experience the sights, sounds, and stories of Anglo-Saxon life as historical re-enactors bring Gefrin’s past to life with live demonstrations, crafts, and a working encampment.
- Ad Gefrin Museum On The Road (Friday 31st July and Saturday 1st August)
- Meet Ad Gefrin’s Museum Director, Chris Ferguson, and Paula, Museum Guide as they bring key archaeological finds from the site back to Yeavering. View artefacts, hear the stories behind them, and ask your burning questions.
- Portable Antiquities Scheme (Friday 31st July and Saturday 1st August)
- Have you found something interesting while walking, gardening, or metal detecting? Bring it along and report your finds to the North East Portable Antiquities Scheme team on site.
- Site tours and talks at Yeavering (Friday 31st July and Saturday 1st August)
- Hear from leading experts, from Durham University and The Gefrin Trust, as they share the significance of Yeavering and its place in the story of early medieval Britain.
- Geophysical survey demonstrations (Friday 31st July and Saturday 1st August)
- Try your hand at different kinds of geoarchaeological prospection guided by experts.
- Storytelling and ACLE reenactors at the museum (Sunday 2nd August)
- Visit Ad Gefrin Museum and Distillery on Sunday the 2nd August for activities with the ACLE re-enactors and storytelling.
- *New this year* Evening Lumiere (Friday 31st – 21:00 – 22.30 pm)
- Join us in the evening for a collaboration with Walk the Plank for a light show that brings the ancient palace and its story to life in a collaboration. Please note early arrival and parking from 8 pm onwards is required. The light show finishes between 22.00 and 22.15 pm and the car park closes at 23.00 pm.
- N.B.: Walk the Plank’s lights have been specially designed for use in light sensitive locations https://www.nationalparks.uk/green-space-dark-skies/ and specifically trialled in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park dark skies reserve as part of Green Space Dark Skies: a yearlong project running events with the geolights in over 16 locations including SSSI and SACs. See info on their sustainability measures including wildlife conservation: https://www.walktheplank.co.uk/projects/green-space-dark-skies/
Additional Details
Children under 16 can attend all events on the Saturday and Sunday for free. All children under 18 must, however, be accompanied by an adult/adults.
Dogs are welcome but must be on a lead at all times. Please pick up after your dog and take poo home with you.
Parking is available near the main field (information below). Do not park along the B5351, or in laybys or gateways.
Please note ground is uneven, all adults and children should wear sensible footwear.
Use the main signposted crossing from the carpark to footpath to access the main field. This is marked and car park marshals will direct you. Take care crossing the road.
Please dress for the weather, if wet bring waterproofs, if hot and sunny, remember sun hats, sun protection and drinking water.
Visitors are reminded to take rubbish home with them.
Please note you may be approached for signed and verbal consent for photographs for publicity purposes.
Location & Directions
Address: Ad Gefrin palace field, Yeavering, Wooler Northumberland, NE71 6HH
Latitude: 55.5685, Longitude: -2.11873
Main field grid coordinates: NT904303
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Parking Information
Please note that only disabled parking is available in the main field (see below).
Parking is available near the main field (see below). Do not park along the B5351, or in laybys or gateways.
For the main carpark: follow the B6351 past the site, the car park is available in a large field and is signposted. Grid Coords: NT904303. what3words ///measure.aced.trophy. Please note for the evening light show on the 31st, parking is available from 8.00 pm in the same location.
For Disabled Parking: Blue badge holders can park in the main event field. Grid Coord NT926305. what3words ///flask.propelled.attic/ Please note the gate will have a sign for disabled parking, but will be closed. Between 10 and 4 pm and for the evening event, volunteers will be on hand to open the gate and assist with parking. Please note for the evening light show on the 31st, parking is available from 8.00 pm in the same location.
Early arrival and parking for the evening event is strongly advised from 8.00 pm. The car park will close at 9.00 pm to allow the event to start. Access to cars will be restricted until 10.00 pm.
The Fine Print
Under 16s are free, however, all children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult daily and at the evening event.
Dogs are welcome but must be kept on the lead.
