Wokingham’s medieval weekend returns from £4.50

Knights on horseback, flying birds of prey and hands-on family activities will return to Wokingham for the Medieval Jousting Weekend on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September. The event runs from 10am to 4pm each day at Dinton Pastures Country Park.

Advance tickets cost £8.50 for adults and £4.50 for children. A family ticket covering two adults and three children costs £25, carers pay £7.20, and children aged two or under enter free. Tickets are available through the Dinton Pastures website, with higher prices charged on the day.

The two-day festival, organised by Wokingham Borough Council, is aimed at families and other visitors looking for a full day of medieval displays, live entertainment, activities and food.

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Jousting brings a medieval arena to Dinton Pastures

The Knights of Middle England will turn part of the country park into a medieval arena. The Warwickshire team brings together performers with equestrian, stunt and performance backgrounds for displays of mounted jousting, horsemanship and skill.

Visitors can also meet The Exiles at their camp, listen to stories about life in medieval times and watch martial arts demonstrations. The wider programme includes children’s donkey rides, archery sessions, live music, an entertainment village, a fun fair, local crafts and a food market.

Arrow break sessions are also planned, but these must be booked separately from general admission. The council has not provided separate prices for those sessions in its announcement.

Birds of prey return for flying and handling displays

Berkshire Birds of Prey, a family-run Bracknell business, will stage a flying display featuring hawks, owls, a peregrine, a kestrel and other birds. The announced line-up includes Lightning McQueen, a Harris hawk; Bella, a barn owl; Apollo, a peregrine; Stitch, a long-eared owl; Noddy, a kestrel; Pumba, a tawny owl; and Fagin, a western screech owl.

Visitors will also have an opportunity to handle some of the birds. The flying display remains weather-dependent and will not go ahead if the wind is too strong.

The returning performers follow the event’s first staging in 2025. Councillor Mark Ashwell, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for economic development, sport, leisure and the arts, said the debut had been successful and described the returning programme as a day out for visitors of all ages.

Ticket prices, parking and food options

Each admission ticket covers one full event day between 10am and 4pm. Anyone planning to attend both Saturday and Sunday would therefore need admission for each day.

Advance prices are £8.50 per adult, £4.50 per child, £25 for a family of two adults and three children, and £7.20 for carers. Admission is free for children aged two and under. Booking ahead avoids the higher ticket rates charged at the venue.

A discounted parking ticket costs £6 when bought in advance through the Dinton Pastures website. Visitors can also hire a bell tent to camp on-site, although the council announcement does not state the hire price.

Food and drink options will include a barbecue from JL Catering, The Happy Bee Coffee Truck and The Rollin’ Inn Bar. General admission, advance parking and bell-tent options can be booked through the Dinton Pastures website; arrow break sessions require a separate booking.

Source: Wokingham Borough Council