Gathering of the NORTH.pdf

Gathering of the NORTH

23rd 24th 25th May 2026

Tournament Sponsor:

What is Gathering of the North?

A historical tournament of champions in Sherwood Forest.

Expect Jousts, Knights, skilled Archers and Artisans. This three-day event offers an unforgettable experience for all ages, embodying the spirit and valor of this venues rich past.

Venue Sponsor:

WWW.GATHERINGOFTHENORTH.CO.UK Credits: Event Gathering of the North Ltd (Bee Newboult & Colin Brooks) Illustration Matthew Garrett

Sherwood Forest

Gathering of the NORTH

We are dedicated to immersive experiences, throughout the event you will find pockets of historic activity. Explore. Discover. Get Involved.

Explore All Day Have-a-go Archery & Axe Throwing (Major Oak) Sword Tourments (Major Oak) Archery Tournaments (Main Green) Ferrers Household Living History Camp (Main Green) The English Free Companye & The Bourne Retinue Of Archers (Main Green) Odin Born Early Living History Camp (Major Oak) The Coventry Levy (Major Oak) The Hooded Man Meet & Greet (Major Oak) Roaming Skirmishes & The Executioner (Major Oak)

9:30am - Traders & Have-a-go’s Open 10:00am - Archery Demonstration on the Main Green

12:30 & 4:15 Joust on the Main Green

5:00pm - Traders & Have-a-go’s Close

SUBJECT TO CHANGE Please note some aspects may be subject to change. Meet and Greet, Exocutioner & Roaming Skirmmishes will be at interval times between the allocated times.

Event Sponsors

Tournament Sponsor:

Your Quest for the finest Mead is over!

The Afon Mêl Mead Hall is the legendary place where mortals and Gods alike can discover our premium quality, pure honey meads to slake their thirst. Here at Afon Mêl, we specialise in slow-aged, pure honey meads, melomels and metheglins, all brewed on our idyllic 40-acre honey farm, based on the beautiful west coast of Wales.

We spend half of the years tending to our 500 beehives and extracting their precious honey. The other half of the year is spent brewing and bottling our fabulous artisan meads. Our knowledge of honey, our passion for top-quality ingredients, and our insistence on maturation have resulted in creating the highest-awarded mead in the UK. Our emphasis is on producing superior meads with a staunch commitment to quality resulting in products that are honey-rich with a real depth of flavour. Truly the drink of the Gods. You can visit us at our honey farm and taste our range of almost 30 different meads and you can find the roving Afon Mêl Mead Hall at many high-quality events throughout the U.K. We look forward to welcoming you! The Mead Hall is open! Skål.

The Ferrers Household Bringing the 15th Century to Life at Gathering of the North 26 Visitors to Gathering of the North 26 are in for a rare treat this year as The Ferrers Household sets up their remarkable 15th‑century living history village beneath the ancient canopy of Sherwood Forest. More than just a reenactment group, the Ferrers Household is a vibrant, skilled community dedicated to recreating the world of Sir Walter Devereux, Lord Ferrers, during the turbulent Wars of the Roses.

For over 26 years, this group has been breathing life into the past. Led by long‑standing Captain Peter Allport, the Household began with two school friends (Pete and Dave) whose shared love of history and craftsmanship sparked something extraordinary.

What started as a curiosity about the everyday lives of people between battles soon grew into a full living‐history experience, rich with authentic skills, tools, and trades. Today, every member brings their own passion for history, craftsmanship, and storytelling, creating a space where the medieval world feels wonderfully alive.

Many of these crafts are made live on site, with members, adults and young people alike; working on real projects throughout the weekend. The group loves to share their knowledge, answer questions, and, when possible, let visitors try their hand at activities. It’s not unusual to see a child learning to write with a quill while someone else tries on a piece of armour or watches sparks fly from the forge.

And yes! There’s combat too. The Household includes billmen, archers, and hand‑to‐hand fighters, along with an armoury where the public can explore the weight and feel of real armour.

People are often amazed by just how advanced 15th‑century life really was. From clever tools to sophisticated craftsmanship, the medieval world was far more innovative and far more familiar than many expect.

The Ferrers Household excels at showing that history isn’t distant or dusty; it’s human, relatable, and full of ingenuity.

A Village of Crafts, Skills, and Stories At events, the Ferrers Household doesn’t just set up a camp, they build a working medieval village. Visitors can wander through a bustling array of crafts and demonstrations, including: A roaring blacksmith’s forge Woodworking and a traditional pole lathe Pewter casting, leatherworking, and rope making Calligraphy and ink‑making Cooking over an open fire Bow making and fletching Tailoring, herbalism, and medieval surgery Music, games, and everyday recreation For them, the best part of historically inspired events is simple: all of it. Wherever they go, they bring history to life, and Gathering of the North is the ideal place to share that passion with thousands of curious visitors.

Where to Find the Ferrers Household Next If you’re captivated by their work, or want to follow their adventures beyond Sherwood you can find them here: Webpage: https://theferrershousehold.weebly.com/ https://www.facebook.com/TheFerrersHousehold Instagram: householdtheferrers

Gathering of the NORTH

The Main Green:

The Major Oak:

Site Travel: The path between the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre and the Major Oak is a short, well‑used section of the Major Oak Trail, linking the two sites in around 15 minutes.

It’s a gentle woodland walk suitable for most visitors and families, though the natural, uneven surface means some wheel‑based mobility aids may find sections challenging. The RSPB’s AccessAble guide offers detailed information on gradients, surfaces and facilities for anyone needing to plan ahead.

The route winds through ancient oaks and rich wildlife habitat, giving a glimpse of Sherwood as it might have looked when outlaw legends first took shape.

During the Gathering of the North, many visitors will make this walk several times to reach roaming characters and living‑history encampments beneath the canopy. The trail also helps manage footfall and protect the forest floor, supporting the long‑term health of this historic landscape.

Event Sponsors

SUBJECT TO CHANGE

23rd 24th 25th May 2026

Gathering of the NORTH

Tournament Sponsor:

Venue Sponsor:

Credits: Event Gathering of the North Ltd (Bee Newboult & Colin Brooks) Illustration Matthew Garrett

SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Sherwood Forest