• SEE FOOTAGE FROM HISTORY FAIR 2007 AT PENKAT!
• Rockingham Castle Official Website

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Event Opening Times & Schedule

Very Important Point

You are buying tickets for admission to "History Fair" in the Rockingham Great Park, not Rockingham Castle itself. The Castle charges a separate admission, if you want to look round, recommended because it is a very nice castle and it hasn't fallen down yet. The castle is not open to look round on the Saturday, but if it is still standing, is open to look round on the Sunday and Monday. You can visit the Rockingham Castle website to find out more.

Tickets

Sorry, we have no advance purchase facility this year, this has been dropped for security reasons. Before you even think about tickets - read the Conditions & Recommendations below. We don't want to put you off coming but we don't want to have to say "Well, we did tell you…" Please read this bit, it is all sensible but easy to overlook points.

Admission Prices

Weekend Passes

The only drawback to these is that you need to buy your pass on the Saturday (and have it stamped) for use on Sunday and / or Monday, but it saves money and that is important if you are on a serious shopping spree in the Market, which this year has over 70+ traders, some NEVER BEFORE seen trading, and suppliers from Europe as well.

2 Day / 3 Day Event Pass

Pass	2 DAY	3 DAY
Adult	£20	£25
Child	£8	£10

The Family (2 adults/2 child) ticket is not included on this offer, nor does it pertain to coach party discounts.

Conditions & Recommendations

The Weather!
This is an early May Bank Holiday. In England. It will probably be cold. It will probably be wet. Be prepared. You should bring raincoats, warm clothing and waterproof boots. A newspaper to put those same muddy boots on, when you get back in the car, at the end of the day. This is the British Weather we are talking about here… so bring sunblock too.

Cars and Motorbikes
The Car Park is a field. A well-drained and fairly flat field but a field none the less. This is no place to bring your pimped up, lowered suspension, under-lit Lotus. We have no usable hard standing either, so motorbikes must be capable of soft standing, especially if we are talking expensive BMWs.

Disabled Access
This is a real bummer, we wanted a non-slip pathway down round the site for wheelchair users but this year we can't afford it, the cost of it is just insane. It is on the wishlist but the straight dope is that you will need serious all-terrain wheels on this site. Normal motorised units will get bogged down if it is wet. Now is the time to consider a more historical alternative: a Sedan Chair - the authentic option for serious off-road disability drivers, get one today! We have hopefully got the proportion of disabled accessible loos right and provisions for disabled parking (including extra space for roof mounted wheelchair rack access, etc.).

Children
Children under five are admitted free to "History Fair". Please think hard before bringing children. Our features include a display of Artillery and whilst seeing, hearing and feeling large guns going off is thrilling, it can surprise and upset young children. If you feel this may be the case, find some unsuspecting relative to dump them on and get away for the day!

Adults
Anybody under 16 reading the above and thinking "That is just SO condescending!" should also think hard. Do you have nervous, suffocating parents who panic at anything and worry about everything? Leave them at home and get an adult who can remember how to have fun, to bring you to History Fair instead. We can't let you in without one but we are not fussy who they are, apparently they have to be a "responsible adult" but try find one. Parents - you can't choose them, can you?

Dogs
We love dogs, we have dogs ourselves, and you are welcome to bring yours. Think first however, there will be loud noises, gunfire, bagpipes and other things which hurt the ears. If you have a nervous dog - or one with refined musical taste - please leave them at home for the day. Apart from that, usual comments of keep them on a lead at all times, clean up after them and don't let them eat any small children which aren't yours. If you do leave them in the car, make sure a window is down for air, that there is a bowl of water and pop back and check up on them occasionally.

Humans
Any dog reading the above and thinking "That is just SO condescending!" should know we just put that in there because humans have to be told things. Please don't pee up the re-enactor's or their tents, there are plenty of trees to sniff. Make sure you keep your human on the lead at all times and bite their leg if they don't remember to feed you.

Don't put your fingers in your ears!
Artillery fire is very loud. There will be lots of it. Please make sure that everyone you bring with you learns this simple rule. Never put your fingers in your ears - this will cause serious damage to your hearing. You should cover your ears with your hands and open your mouth. This reduces the compression on the eardrum which is what causes the damage. When you hear the Master Gunner or Gun Captain give the order to fire, make like a Goldfish! That way, you won't be saying "What?" to everyone for the rest of the weekend. If you are very concerned about your hearing or have sensitive ears, please consider bringing ear defenders, if you have them.

Goldfish
This is an outdoor event, no goldfish are allowed on site. Even if they are on a lead.

Your Safety

We want you to enjoy "History Fair" and take fond memories away with you. Not a broken leg. Whilst we will have full medical backup on site, not just the Red Cross but several paramedics as well, we want them to have a very boring weekend.

Battles are dangerous. People have been killed watching battles throughout history and we don't want to re-create that, thank you. Please stay behind the ropes at all times, if an event participant or steward tells you to move, please don't give them grief over it, move - having a heavily armoured knight fall on you is not good for the soul or anything else really. Trust me - this is the voice of personal experience here.

Safety is very important to us. If the weather becomes really atrocious and we have to cancel the event, it will be because we have real concerns about you being injured. Check the weather, before leaving home, with local radio, internet, pine cone, big toe, what have you. We have to say it - if the chance of some rain and mud scares you, stay at home and watch the telly. If it doesn't - come and enjoy our "History Fair"!

And Finally

If you see the Powder Master yelling, waving his arms around and running like crazy away from the Gunpowder Store (or "Magazine") — do try and keep up with him. Thanks for reading this and have a fun, safe "History Fair".