Wigton Viking settlement to host ancient crafts festival

The festival will take place at the Moorforge Viking Settlement at Gilcrux, near Wigtonon land owned by local blacksmith David Watson between Saturday, May 3, and Monday, May 5. 

This will be the third ancient crafts festival held at the Moorforge Viking Settlement after the event’s successful debut in 2023. 

The 2024 festival was also attended by over 400 people. 

(Image: Supplied) This year the ancient crafts festival will feature around 35 craftspeople showcasing Viking-age crafts using natural materials such as metal, leather, bone, and willow. 

Ash Harrison is one of the organisers of the Moorforge Viking Settlement Ancient Crafts Festival and was on hand to express his excitement ahead of its return.

He said: “This is a public event which welcomes people of all ages to come and experience an ancient Viking age market village. 

“The craft festival will be hosting around 35 different crafts folk that predominantly focus on ancient technology crafts that you would expect from the Viking age, using a variety of natural sustainable materials such as wood, textiles, metal, leather, bone, and willow.

“With these materials, you can see artisan folk hand crafting historical items such as  jewellery, coins, ornaments, clothing, and various everyday use items such as metal implements, baskets, pottery, wooden furniture, and more. 

(Image: Supplied) “The event will be within the Viking age settlement, where the crafts folk will be set up in their historically authentic market tents and in period early medieval dress. 

“There will be plenty of interest for the younger generations with historical archery, kids Viking role play, and much more interactive activities.”

Alongside the crafts, the festival will also feature the return of Moorforge’s popular folk music session which will take place in the settlement’s Great Longhouse.

“The Saturday evening will bring a Folk music session in the great longhouse around the fire,” Ash said.

(Image: Supplied) “It will be hosted by the resident folk group, and people are welcome to join in and get a taste of what it may have been like in times past in the community longhouse.  

“Visiting the craft festival will give you a great opportunity to step back in time and experience what it may have been like in the area within the Viking age, connecting us with our rich local history, heritage, and crafts.”