Midwinter Revels: Songs, Tales & Carols from Yuletide Past

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Date: 30th November 2025
Time: 4:30 pm
Location: Winterbourne Medieval Barn
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Following on from A Christmas Carol: In Concert and A Brief History of Christmas, GreenMatthews present their new festive show. Spanning several centuries, GreenMatthews’ Midwinter Revels is a celebration of Yuletide Past guaranteed to warm the cockles of the most Scrooge-like heart. 
Featuring Christmas carols, winter folk songs, toe-tapping tunes and a plethora of weird and wonderful instruments, the show is brought to life with GreenMatthews’ trademark wit and humour.

“You guys are awesome!” Bill Barclay, Director of Music at Shakespeare’s Globe

Parking for this event will be provided at The Barn and an overflow car park, if needed. Parking is limited so please advise below if you need to book a space. 
If you need a specific parking space (eg. wheelchair accessible) or any accessible seating for the performance then please email ceara.foley@winterbournebarn.org.uk ASAP to book this.
Please follow the instructions provided in the pre-event email (sent up to 24 hours before the event) and parking stewards on the day to ensure we can fit as many people as possible safely in the designated parking areas.

Please do not park along church lane as this obstructs the road for other users and emergency vehicles. Please do not park anywhere other than designated Barn car parks for this event. We cannot control when other car parks are locked and may not be able to assist if you car is parked elsewhere.

There is plenty of bicycle parking at The Barn for those arriving on two wheels and space for drop off / collection if you would like to arrange this.

The Barn’s pop-up bar will be open for this event serving a small selection of drinks and snacks. Cash and card payments are accepted.

The primary purpose of this event is to raise money for WMBT and to support conservation, management, maintenance and improvement of the WMBT site.

If you wish to avoid the online booking fee then please contact the office to arrange a time to come and book in person.

Book here

Shakespeare in The Barn: As You Like It

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Date: 14th August 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Winterbourne Medieval Barn
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We are delighted to welcome The Festival Players back to Winterbourne Medieval Barn as they perform Shakespeare's As You Like It. 

As You Like It is probably Shakespeare’s most entrancing romantic comedy. Rosalind, the daughter of a displaced Duke, is banished from the court by her Father’s brother. Along with her cousin Celia, she escapes to the Forest of Arden and disguises herself as a man. She teases Orlando, a young man, who does not recognise her as the girl he loved at a distance. The pastoral world of the Forest is inhabited with a colourful array of folk, looking for love, and woven into this delightful tale, full of comedy and music.

The Festival Players Theatre Company is a professional theatre company in their 39th year of touring, delivering the best in open-air Shakespeare, committed to presenting the very best in touring theatre.
As in the Bard’s day, Festival Players International will be performing with an all-male company of skilled professional actors, and invite you to share in the fun of this amazing play. A Summer treat for the whole family.

Parking for this event will be at The Barn.
Full details will be sent in the pre-event email a few days before the event. Please email us at ceara.foley@winterbournebarn.org.uk  with your registration number and specific requirements, if you need a wheelchair accessible parking space and any accessible seating for the show so that we can arrange this for you.
Please do not park along church lane as this obstructs the road for other users and emergency vehicles.

There is plenty of bicycle parking at The Barn for those arriving on two wheels and space for drop off / collection if you would like to arrange this.

The Barn’s pop-up bar will be open for this event serving a small selection of drinks and snacks. Cash and card payments are accepted.

The primary purpose of this event is to raise money for WMBT and to support conservation, management, maintenance and improvement of the WMBT site.

If you wish to avoid the online booking fee then please contact the office to arrange a time to come and book in person.

Book here

Austen in The Barn: Sense & Sensibility

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Date: 24th July 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Winterbourne Medieval Barn
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After huge success with performances for other historic venues with the likes of The National Trust, we are delighted to welcome The Pantaloons to The Barn.
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen, they will be performing one of her beloved classics, Sense and Sensibility, but with their own comedy twist. 
The Pantaloons are known for shows which are family-friendly, funny, physical and feature live music and audience interaction. It's sure to be a fun-filled evening!

Elinor Dashwood has a lot of good Sense. Her sister Marianne Dashwood has an excess of Sensibility. Together they make a snappy title for Jane Austen's classic novel of scandals, scoundrels and severely sprained ankles.

This funny, fast-paced and faithful new adaptation from the critically-acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company features live music, audience interaction, romance and heartbreak.

"Live entertainment at its best" ☆☆☆☆☆ (North West End)

Parking for this event will be at The Barn. Full details will be sent in the pre-event email a few days before the event. Please email us at ceara.foley@winterbournebarn.org.uk  with your registration number and specific requirements, if you need a wheelchair accessible parking space and any accessible seating for the show so that we can arrange this for you.
Please do not park along church lane as this obstructs the road for other users and emergency vehicles.

There is plenty of bicycle parking at The Barn for those arriving on two wheels and space for drop off / collection if you would like to arrange this.

The Barn’s pop-up bar will be open for this event serving a small selection of drinks and snacks. Cash and card payments are accepted.

The primary purpose of this event is to raise money for WMBT and to support conservation, management, maintenance and improvement of the WMBT site.

If you wish to avoid the online booking fee then please contact the office to arrange a time to come and book in person.

Book here

Talk: The story of our barn: medieval to modern

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Date: 10th July 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Winterbourne Medieval Barn
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Join our Community Events Coordinator, Ceara, to find out about the turbulent 1400s and what was happening in England, and to the people here, as The Barn was being built.
Hear the fascinating story of how this historic site was almost lost, how and why it was saved, and how it is used today.

Who was Thomas De Bradeston and why did he build Winterbourne Medieval Barn?
How was it built? Why was it so important then and now?
What are the links between The Barn and St. Michael's Church?

Come and find out the answers to these questions and more at this talk about the history of this amazing heritage site: from medieval to modern!
Includes a talk on the history of The Barn (past & present), interesting features pointed out and discussed plus plenty of time for questions with our friendly volunteers.

After the talk and tour of The Barn you will be taken over to the 12th Century St Michael's church next door to see some of the amazing features there and further discuss the links between The Church, The Barn and Sir Thomas.

About your speaker:
Ceara has been a member of the team here at The Barn for 3 years. As a local resident she has grown up loving this beautiful site and had attended many events here before she was in charge of planning them! Since joining as the Community Events Coordinator Ceara has become even more interested in the history of our unique heritage site and, after answering many questions about The Barn from the public, has complied this presentation, with input from many of our longest standing volunteers, to help share it's story.

Refreshments available. Cash and card payment accepted.

Please note parking for this event will be on site at the Barn, BS36 1SE. The car park will be locked once the event has finished so please ensure your car is moved if you will be exploring the local area after your visit to The Barn.

The primary purpose of this event is to raise money for WMBT and to support conservation, management, maintenance and improvement of the WMBT site.

If you wish to avoid the online booking fee then please contact the office to arrange a time to come and book in person.

Book here

Winterbourne Medieval Day

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Date: 8th June 2025
Time: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: Winterbourne Medieval Barn
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June was the time in the Medieval calendar to celebrate Midsummer, and what a celebration it was!
Permission to host a June fayre in Winterbourne was granted by King Richard II in 1393 to Blanch, the great-granddaughter of Sir Thomas de Bradeston who commissioned The Barn to be built in 1342, so we are delighted to still be upholding that tradition over 600 years later.

Join us as we recreate some of the festivities with combat displays & have a go archery from the Warwick Warriors, wandering jesters, games and live medieval musicians. Plus, a mini living history village from Company of Chivalry so that you can really get a feel for medieval life by walking amongst it!  

Small, but perfectly formed (and on a genuine medieval site) there will be a programme of activities throughout the day alongside a range of artisan craft stalls where you can watch some of the artists at work.
There will be demos on basket weaving and natural dyes plus beautiful work from local jewellers, medieval illustrations, skin care made with local honey, leatherwork, straw craft, planters made from local driftwood and many more!

Face painting will be on offer for younger visitors (or those young at heart!) as well as a colouring completion and an owl scavenger hunt.

The catering will be keeping the medieval theme too: including a hog roast from Old Sodbury Lamb, British sweet & savoury bakes from Magnolia Mews Bakehouse and traditional Persian (think Byzantine Empire and The Crusades!) from KooKoo Food Ltd. 
Vegan and gluten free options will be available.
The Barn's Bar will also be open serving a small selection of snacks and hot, cold and alcoholic beverages. 

For full details keep an eye on our website and social media.

A perfect family day out at this unique heritage site which dates from 1342. Arrive early and stay all day!

Pre book tickets now! £5 adults, £1 children if booked up to 1 week in advance.
Tickets booked after 1st June, and on the door, will be £7 for adults and £2 for children.

Well behaved dogs on a lead are welcome. Dogs remain the responsibility of the owner within the grounds of the Barn. Please dispose of dog waste in the relevant bins only.

We will be operating a park and ride service from Winterbourne Academy (BS36 1JL) with a shuttle bus to and from the Barn site all throughout the day. Both the car park and the shuttle bus are free at Winterbourne Academy. Just park up and see our steward for the next bus.

There is plenty of bicycle parking on site for those arriving on two wheels.
Please note there is no car parking onsite or in Church Lane for this event. The lane must be kept clear for residents and any emergency vehicle access.
Please contact us in advance to reserve a space at The Barn's site if needed. Please be aware that these spaces are limited and must be booked in advance. Please provide your vehicle reg and details of you access / parking requirements at the time of contacting us to book your space.

The primary purpose of this event is to raise money for WMBT and to support conservation, management, maintenance and improvement of the WMBT site.

If you wish to avoid the online booking fee then please contact the office to arrange a time to come and book in person.

Book here

Talk: A Day in the Life of a Medieval Knight and Peasant

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Date: 6th May 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Winterbourne Medieval Barn
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We are delighted to welcome back Company of Chivalry to The Barn.
Previously seen at our Medieval Fayres as the living history re-enactment troupe, this time they will be presenting an entertaining and informative talk on the daily lives of a medieval peasant and knight!

What were the real differences between the daily life of a noble lord and a humble peasant in 14th century England?. From getting up in the morning to going to bed – what might it really have been like?
Come with us as we bring to life the daily routine – with props, costume and interaction. Feel the weight of the sword versus the ewer, try on articles of clothing, even taste the delicacies of Medieval England. All brought to life by two experienced speakers with the aid of an audience welcomed to step back in time.

Refreshments available from our pop up bar. Cash and card payments accepted.

Limited free parking on site. Parking for this event will be at the Barn, BS36 1SE.

The primary purpose of this event is to raise money for WMBT and to support conservation, management, maintenance and improvement of the WMBT site.

If you wish to avoid the online booking fee then please contact the office to arrange a time to come and book in person.

Book here

Wine Tasting Evening – Chile & Argentina

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Date: 10th May 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Winterbourne Medieval Barn
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We welcome Ian Redfearn back to guide us through the aromas and flavours of a range of summery white and red wines from the sun-kissed vineyards of Chile and Argentina in this informative but fun workshop. Over 18s only.

With 25 years experience in the wine trade, Ian makes the ideal host for the evening. He will give some background information on each wine's individual appearance, aroma and flavour, and he will welcome questions and comments. Guaranteed to be a merry evening!

Ian will have a small amount of the wines sampled to sell by the bottle on the evening should you wish to purchase any. Cash and card payments are accepted and a percentage of these sales is kindly being donated back to The Barn.

Strictly over 18s only. Please drink responsibly.

Parking for this event is at the Barn, BS36 1SE. There is plenty of bicycle parking available for those arriving on two wheels as well as space for drop off / pick up if you prefer to arrange this.

For those who will be drinking there are plenty of taxi firms serving the area and limited buses to Winterbourne.

The primary purpose of this event is to raise money for WMBT and to support conservation, management, maintenance and improvement of the WMBT site.

If you wish to avoid the booking fee then please contact the office to arrange a time to come and book in person at The Barn.

Book here

Opera in The Barn: Madame Butterfly

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Date: 9th May 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Winterbourne Medieval Barn
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We are delighted to welcome back Tessitoura Opera to entertain us with their touring production of Puccini's "Madam Butterfly" complete with live chamber orchestra accompaniment.

Madame Butterfly, an opera by Giacomo Puccini, tells the tragic story of Cio-Cio San, a young Japanese geisha, and her ill-fated romance with American naval officer Pinkerton. 
Pinkerton marries Cio-Cio San in a traditional Japanese ceremony, viewing the union as temporary, while Cio-Cio-San believes it is genuine, forsaking her culture and family for love. 
Pinkerton leaves for America, promising to return, while Cio-Cio-San waits faithfully, raising their child. The story unfolds when years later, Pinkerton returns with his American wife.

For musical fans, you may recognise this plot from Miss Saigon, which took it's inspiration from this heart-breaking opera.
The opera is a poignant exploration of cultural clash, and the devastating consequences of betrayal, set against a richly emotional musical backdrop.

This performance will be in English language.

Tessitoura was founded in 2010 to share the joy and excitement of opera. The company soon became known for unique and intimate performances, accompanied by a chamber orchestra to create an authentic opera experience with a sense of connection between performers and audience.

Parking is free and will be at The Barn (BS36 1SE). Space is limited so please follow the instructions from our parking stewards on arrival. There is plenty of bicycle parking and space for drop off / pick ups at The Barn if you are able to arrange this. Please do not park along church lane as this obstructs the road for other users and emergency vehicles.

We have toilets on site, including a fully accessible toilet and baby changing facilities.

The Barn Bar will also be open serving a small selection of drinks and snacks. Cash and card payments are accepted.

Seating will be unreserved. 
If you need specific accessible seating or accessible parking then please email ceara.foley@winterbournebarn.org.uk in advance to arrange this.

The primary purpose of this event is to raise money for WMBT and to support conservation, management, maintenance and improvement of the WMBT site.

If you wish to avoid the online booking fee then please contact the office to arrange a time to come and book in person.

Book here

Children’s Glass Mosaic Workshop

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Date: 15th April 2025
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Winterbourne Medieval Barn
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These workshops have now sold out at The Barn, but if you are still looking for a local children's glass workshop then please do check out Rachael's other workshops at alternative venues here: https://theglasscabin.co.uk/fused-glass-workshops-bristol/

Join local glass artist, Rachael Durkan from The Glass Cabin at 10am or 11:30am for one of her popular fused glass workshops, but this one is specifically for our younger crafters!

Create a mosaic style fused glass sun catcher using a variety of pre-cut glass and accessories in array of beautiful colours.
There are plenty of templates to choose from or you can design your own panel. Make a 10cm square or egg shaped sun catcher. 
The lovely thing about making a glass panel as a child is that your creation will last forever, glass does not deteriorate or lose its beautiful colour and shine!

Suitable for complete beginners as well as those who’ve caught the fused glass bug! Ages 8years +
Please note: under 18s must remained accompanied on The Barn site at all times.

The participant will have an hour to create their masterpiece. Rachael will have lots of ideas to inspire them and is on hand with advice throughout the workshop.

PLEASE NOTE – Rachael will take the finished piece away to be fused in her kiln. It will be available for collection from The Barn or Rachael directly a couple of weeks after the workshop.

For safety reasons, please do not wear open toe shoes such as sandals or flip flops. Also a little reminder for people who wear glasses.... due to close up work, you may wish to bring along your spectacles!

Parking for this event is at the Barn, BS36 1SE. 

Tea, coffee & squash will be provided during the introduction and is included in the ticket price. Due to the nature of working with glass refreshments will not be permitted during the actual workshop.

The primary purpose of this event is to raise money for WMBT and to support conservation, management, maintenance and improvement of the WMBT site.

If you wish to avoid the online booking fee then please contact the office to arrange a time to come and book in person.

Book here

Foraging walk with Steve England

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Date: 13th April 2025
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Winterbourne Medieval Barn
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Join Steve England, outdoor educator, Horticulturist and Historian, on this guided walk around the barn site and local nature reserve to forage for wild foods! This will be a small group so that you can benefit from Steve's guidance and expertise on what to pick...and what not!
This walk will very much be determined by what is found along the way and so is likely to be different every time.
Due to the nature of this event the end time is approximate and can ​vary depending on what is discovered on the day.

Please make sure you dress sensibly in comfortable, suitable clothing and wear sturdy footwear. 

Due to the foraging nature of this walk it is for over 18s only. 

After approximately 3 hours out with Steve you will return to The Barn for tea & coffee and to make a tasty snack from your finds. 
The Barn will be open on arrival, and after your walk, for use of the facilities and to check everyone in.

About your guide:  "All my life I have loved the outdoors. Growing up in Bristol, my childhood was spent exploring the fields and woodlands of Stoke Park, fascinated by every tree, plant, bird & butterfly. I decided to continue my learning with the RHS, studying horticulture alongside teaching myself everything there was to know about the wildlife and history on my doorstep. I began teaching what I had learned over 10 years ago to friends, local people and my local community, and absolutely love sharing everything I know. Whether foraging foods, learning poisonous plants, lighting fires, recognising birds, identifying bats or looking back in time at the history of North Bristol, I come alive when in front of an audience and thrive on sharing my knowledge with others."
Steve England Outdoor Learning provides outdoor adult education events, courses and workshops within North Bristol.

Please note parking for this event will be on site at the Barn, BS36 1SE. The car park will be locked once the event has finished so please ensure your car is moved if you will be exploring the local area after your visit to The Barn.

The primary purpose of this event is to raise money for WMBT and to support conservation, management, maintenance and improvement of the WMBT site.

If you wish to avoid the online booking fee then please contact the office to arrange a time to come and book in person.

Book here