International Living History Festival

30/04/2026

What a weekend! We all absolutely loved the International Living History Festival and we're so grateful to the crowds that came out - thank you! These amazing pictures are by Matthew Chattle

And we're delighted to announce that the Festival will be back here next year - 17th & 18th April 2027!

Thinking of visiting Gunpowder Mills before then? We’re open every Saturday and Sunday, and we’ve got plenty of exciting family-friendly events on the way! Schools and private groups are also welcome to book workshops and tours on weekdays. Learn more at www.gunpowdermills.com

30/04/2026

Hot off the press!!

Dates are confirmed! Add it to your Diary and keep an eye on here and Gunpowder Mills for the release of early bird tickets later on in the year!

So excited to comeback already has bigger and better plans in place! Keep an eye for additions being announced throughout the year!

21/04/2026

Some wonderful images starting to come through from all the Photographers!

A very big thank you for all who attended Living history and Visitors we are excited to start planning for next year on how we can make improvements to make it bigger and better than this year! Watch this space for a date! We should be confirming it imminently!!

Below all credits go to Matthew Chattle

18/04/2026

What an amazing day! Fantastic weather and fantastic people! Thank you so much for everybody turning up today - I hope more of you come tomorrow!!!

13/04/2026

Timetable complete and off for printing, posters done and off for printing too, final site maps to be finished and just packing the van to go and I think the ILHF 2026 is ready!

We have an action packed timetable in the arena and a few talks in the theatre! Please note the theatre only has 100 seats so do make sure you arrive in good time!

Advanced tickets are still available! https://livinghistoryfestival.wordpress.com/tickets/

07/04/2026

🔥 Hot Off The Press – A Very Special Addition for Saturday 18th April 🔥

This one is particularly close to my heart, and I’m incredibly proud to announce that we are welcoming Ibutho Izinkanyezi UK — a nationwide Zulu living history group — to the International Living History Festival at the Royal Gunpowder Mills.

The Royal Gunpowder Mills played a vital role in supplying gunpowder to British forces during many of the major Victorian-era conflicts, including the Anglo-Zulu War and the Boer War — making this an especially fitting and powerful addition to the weekend.

Ibutho Izinkanyezi UK will be providing:
• Talks on the Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Matabele Wars (1879–1896)
• Arena performances of Zulu drill and traditional war dances
• A unique opportunity to engage with an often under-represented perspective of these historic conflicts

And continuing the Zulu War theme…

Historian John Young will also be delivering theatre talks both days on the Battle of Rorke’s Drift, offering further insight into one of the most famous engagements of the Anglo-Zulu War.

This is exactly what the International Living History Festival is all about — bringing history to life, telling multiple perspectives, and creating powerful, immersive experiences.

With 43 groups already attending from Bronze Age to WW2, this is shaping up to be our biggest and most diverse ILHF yet.

🎟 Advance tickets available (cheaper than on the gate) https://www.ticketsource.com/rgm/t-lddnypq

📍 Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey
📅 18th–19th April 2026

More exciting announcements coming soon… 👀

05/04/2026

Have A Go Archery... Theatre Talks... Trader Village... Great Food & Drink... Gunpowder Mills Exhibition and Rocket Vault...
..all this as well as Living Historians and Reenactors from across the ages will be here the weekend of 18th and 19th April for the International Living History Festival!

Get your Saver tickets and parking here: https://www.ticketsource.com/rgm/t-lddnypq

And a word on parking: for our bigger events, we can't guarantee parking for all visitors so we operate pre-booked paid parking. There is ample paid and some free parking in Waltham Abbey Town Centre, a short walk away. We are also around 15-20 minutes walk from Waltham Cross Railway Station if you are using public transport

05/04/2026

Less than 2 weeks to go for our debut event at Gunpowder Mills, all websites will be updated by Easter Monday,

Don’t forget your tickets for what promises to be an incredible event

https://livinghistoryfestival.wordpress.com/tickets/

All credit for the trailer goes to Corporate-Motion Film Production

02/04/2026

A small taster of just some of the 42 (!) living history and reenactment groups who'll be here for the International Living History Festival on the weekend of 18th & 19th April, together with some fabulous food & drink, Have A Go Archery and a trader village! Prosecco Bottle Bar The Chicken Strip UK

We're so excited to welcome actor Jason Salkey, Rifleman Harris from the legendary Sharpe TV series Jason Salkey

Don't miss out - Saver tickers are still available for both days and also as a weekend ticket option: https://www.ticketsource.com/rgm/t-lddnypq

21/10/2025

Come and find out about next year's event at this market

🏛️ Calling all Museums and Historic Houses!

If you’re looking for authentic replicas and historically accurate craftsmanship, the Artisan and Reenactors Market is the place to be.

📅 14–16 November 2025
📍 Warwickshire Event Centre, CV31 1FE

🛒 Card and cash accepted — cashback and receipts available.
Discover over 100 skilled artisans offering museum-quality replicas, textiles, pottery, clothing, leatherwork, jewellery and more:
👉 www.armarket.uk/trader-list/

🎟️ Advance tickets available now!
ARM absorbs the booking fee, so there’s no extra charge to you:
👉 www.armarket.uk/tickets/