Saxons
During your school trip, the group follows the peaceful lives of the Saxon and how they go about their everyday lives. Then we hear about the Viking invasion and how the Saxons repelled them from Wessex. Children learn that the Saxons didn’t always lose!
Our historical narrative will allow your children to experience Saxon life and culture. Your children will experience drama and fun in the activities that they do with us, all of which promote historical understanding, teamwork and problem solving.
Activity Options
Saxon Skills
Experience key skills needed to support life – carding, spinning, wattle fences and using a flint and steel
Saxon willow weaving
Experience a key skill needed to support life – willow weaving – and make a tray to take away
Saxon torc
Grounds exploration- Rune Trail
Create your own Saxon torc, learning some metal work skills along the way, to take away
Saxon crime and punishment
Take part in a Saxon court case to learn how criminals were dealt with
The Raid of 787AD
RESIDENTIAL ONLY
Explore the grounds to discover how we use the world around us to survive
Archery
RESIDENTIAL ONLY
The surrounding forests are excellent hunting grounds for boar and deer – especially necessary for a successful banquet! The furs are also valuable for clothing.
Saxon Superstition- Nine Herb Charm
Re-enact the earliest date for a Viking Raid on Wessex when Norsemen arrived at Portland, Dorset
SEASONAL (May-September)
Discover how charms could protect against the plague or a swarm of bees
Saxon artefacts
Saxon games
Investigate a range of Saxon objects. What materials are used and why?
RESIDENTIAL ONLY
Study Saxon life in terms of their leisure pursuits – try your hand at some games
Saxon fire lighting
RESIDENTIAL ONLY
Experience an element of Saxon life by trying to start a fire using ancient techniques
Hunting- bow making
Learn how to make your own bow and arrow set from natural materials to take away
Saxon Tales
RESIDENTIAL ONLY
Re-enact the story of Beowulf and how he defeated Grendel the monster
Battle of Reading
Re-enact the story of the Battle of Reading. Learn how King Alfred outwitted the Vikings in Wessex
Life on the farm
Experience elements of Saxon farming through milking, grinding grain and interacting with animals
Saxon Banquet
RESIDENTIAL ONLY
Take part in a Saxon feast, telling riddles and perform the Egg Dance.
Our narrative follows the peaceful lives of the Saxons in Reading and how they go about their everyday lives. Then we hear about the Viking invasion and how the Saxons repelled them from Wessex. Children learn that the Saxons didn’t always lose!
