Step into the ancient world of Northumbria at the Festival of Archaeology – a unique, on-site event held at Gefrin, the site of the royal Anglo-Saxon Summer Palace located just 4 miles from Wooler at Yeavering.
This festival, over two days, invites visitors of all ages to explore the rich archaeology, history, and heritage of the region through immersive experiences, live demonstrations, and expert insights.
What to Expect:
Join us at the site of Ad Gefrin, Yeavering, from 10am to 4pm each day for:
Acle Re-enactments & Encampment (Friday 31st July and Saturday 1st August)
Experience the sights, sounds, and stories of Anglo-Saxon life as historical re-enactors bring Gefrin’s past to life with live demonstrations, crafts, and a working encampment.
Ad Gefrin Museum On The Road (Friday 31st July and Saturday 1st August)
Meet Ad Gefrin’s Museum Director, Chris Ferguson, and Paula, Museum Guide as they bring key archaeological finds from the site back to Yeavering. View artefacts, hear the stories behind them, and ask your burning questions.
Portable Antiquities Scheme (Friday 31st July and Saturday 1st August)
Have you found something interesting while walking, gardening, or metal detecting? Bring it along and report your finds to the Portable Antiquities Scheme team on site.
Site tours and talks at Yeavering (Friday 31st July and Saturday 1st August)
Hear from leading experts, from Durham University and The Gefrin Trust, as they share the significance of Yeavering and its place in the story of early medieval Britain.
Geophysical survey demonstrations (Friday 31st July and Saturday 1st August)
Try your hand at different kinds of geoarchaeological prospection guided by experts.
Storytelling and ACLE reenactors at the museum (Sunday 2nd August)
Visit Ad Gefrin Museum and Distillery on Sunday the 2nd August for activities with the ACLE re-enactors and storytelling.
*New this year*
Evening Light Show (Friday 31st - 21:00 - 22:30 pm)
Join us in the evening for a light show that brings the ancient palace and its story to life in a collaboration between The Gefrin Trust and Walk the Plank. Please note early arrival and parking from 20.00 pm onwards is required. The light show finishes between 22.00 and 22.15 pm and the car park closes at 23.00 pm.
Please note, Walk the Plank’s lights have been specially designed for use in light sensitive locations and are sensitive to wildlife conservation https://www.walktheplank.co.uk/projects/green-space-dark-skies/
Tickets for daily attendance on Friday and Saturday and evening attendance on Friday are required.
You can find event information and a booking link here https://gefrintrust.org/2026-yeavering-festival-of-archaeology/
Children under 16 can attend all events on the Saturday and Sunday for free, but under 18s must be accompanied by an adult
Dogs are welcome but must be on a lead at all times
Location
Ad Gefrin , Yeavering, Wooler, Northumberland , NE71 6HF, United Kingdom
Additional location/direction information
Parking for onsite events at Ad Gefrin - the main archaeological site - is available daily and on the evening of the 31st July for the light show. Follow the B6351 towards Kirknewton which runs past the palace site, turn left to Old Yeavering before you get to Kirknewton. Parking is available in a large field and is signposted. Grid Coord NT904303. what3words ///measure.aced.trophy. Please note parking for the evening light show is available from 8.00 pm in the same location.
Disabled parking is available in the main palace/event field. Grid Coord NT926305. what3words ///flask.propelled.attic/ Please note the gate will have a sign for disabled parking, but will be closed. Between 10 and 4 pm and for the evening event, volunteers will be on hand to open the gate and assist with parking. Please note parking for the evening light show is available from 8.00 pm in the same location.
Additional storytelling and reenactor events on the 2nd of August will take place at Ad Gefrin Museum and Distillery situated on South Rd, Wooler NE71 6NJ. what3words///albums.king.eating
Please note early arrival and parking for the evening event on the 31st July is strongly advised from 8.00 pm. The car park will close at 9.00 pm to allow the event to start. Access to cars will be restricted until 10.00 pm.
Schedule
Fri, 31 Jul
10:00 AM
|
4:00 PM
Sat, 01 Aug
10:00 AM
|
4:00 PM
Sun, 02 Aug
10:00 AM
|
4:00 PM
Duration of event
Friday 31st July and Saturday 1st August: 10.00 am - 16.00 pm in the main Gefrin Palace field
Acle Re-enactments & Encampment, Gefrin Trust-led site tours about the palace and archaeological site, meet Ad Gefrin Museum on the road, and the North East Portable Antiquities Scheme, participate in geophysical survey demonstrations and meet College Valley representatives. Refreshments available for purchase in the field.
Friday 31st July: 21:00 pm - 22:30 pm in the main Gefrin Palace field
Light show bringing the ancient palace and its story to life in a collaboration between The Gefrin Trust and Walk the Plank. Parking available from 20:00 pm and early parking advised.
Sunday 2nd August: 10.00 am - 16.00 pm at Ad Gefrin Museum and Distillery
ACLE Re-enactors and story-telling.
Additional booking information
Admission on the 31st July and 1st August for daily activities requires a ticket. Tickets can be booked via https://gefrintrust.org/. Adults purchasing tickets additionally invited to make a donation for their ticket, under 16s can attend for free.
The evening Lumiere has a restricted limit on attendance. A ticket is required for entry and can be purchased via https://gefrintrust.org/2026-yeavering-festival-of-archaeology/. Adults tickets £5, under 16s free.
Additional fee information
Admission to daily events on the 31st of July and the 1st August requires advance booking. A charge of £1 for adult tickets covers administrative costs. Additional donations to support the work of the Trust are welcome. Under 16s are free, however all under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on the lead.
The evening light show must be pre-booked with a charge per head of £5. Under 16s are free, and under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on the lead.