Past Events
Maypole Dancing
To celebrate May Day, children from Sandown Primary School dressed in full medieval costume and performed traditional dances around a full sized Maypole right outside the Canterbury Tales. Throughout the day they entertained visitors and shoppers to re-revive this ancient celebration.
A Knight's Tale
During the easter period The Canterbury Tales played host to lots of medieval fun and adventure. Children and adults alike were able to learn about traditional battle techniques, armoury and jousting, they could even have a go themselves.
Medieval Drama Workshop
Young, budding actors and actresses were able to take part in The Canterbury Tales medieval drama workshop, the successful event took place in the churchyeard as children participated in themed drama activities.
Medieval Market
The Canterbury Tales has hosted a medieval market on several occassions over the years it has been open. The market is held in the churchyard and has a variety of fascinating medieval wares and crafts to display and demonstrate.
Medieval Medicines
At the medieval medicine festival at Canterbury Tales, visitors were able to meet medieval physicians and surgeons and watch how amputations were performed before anaesthetic existed. Visitors were also invited to learn the story of the mandrake plant from the Harry Potter stories.
Medieval Job Swap
A the 'medieval job swap' visitors were able to take on the roles of Chaucers most famous characters. Guests were able to learn the skills of a medieval cook, learn how to be a millar and make bread, discover how to be a medieval physician by mixing herbal lotions and potions and how to becom a famous knight and lear traditional battle techniques.
Ghost Fest
As the church where the Canterbury Tales is located dates back to the 12th century, it is no surprise that each year Canterbury Tales holds a ghost festival. The festival lasts for 3 days with leading paranormal investigators conducting the hunt.
20th Birthday Celebration
In 2008 Canterbury Tales celebrated its 20th birthday, to mark this occasion The Canterbury Tales held a number of special events. Proceedings started with live performances of The Bawdy Millar's Tales and The Pardoner's Tale, the attraction was also transformed to how it originally was was, with the introduction of costumed guides adding to the visitor experience and offering visitors tasting of medieval cordials made from authentic recipies.
