PICTURE GALLERY: Warriors turn back clock 1,000 years at Stonham Barns Saxon and Viking festival

A leisure park took visitors back 1,000 years when it featured a chaotic and boisterous army encampment full of hundreds of Saxon and Viking warriors.

Stonham Barns Park in Stonham Aspal staged its Saxon and Viking Festival on September 7 and 8.

The two-day festival was designed to portray the rich and textured history of East Anglia in the Dark Ages, and the people from 850 to 950AD, when East Anglia was conquered and settled by the Danish Vikings.

It gave people the chance a taste of what life was like in times past with reenactment groups, displays, battles, torchlight parade, fire dancers, and the spectacle of the ceremonial burning of a Viking boat.

Fraser Carson of Red Lion Events,said: “It was great to be back at Stonham Barns Park for this awesome festival weekend.

“Two fully packed days with action and excitement which included a huge torchlight procession featuring four fire dancers and the burning of a sacrificial Viking Boat.

“We added music to the event to complete the festival atmosphere and it really was one mighty and immersive weekend for all those who attended.”

Lily Wakeling from Stonham Barns Park Events Team added: “This was a non-stop action festival for all those who attended.

“The characters brought so much energy and enthusiasm to the show – along with a good amount of fighting and hostility – to bring The Dark Ages to life.

“It was as colourful and dramatic as a show can get.”

One of the most prominent reenactment groups was Wuffa Viking and Saxon Re-Enactment Society which is dedicated to learning and living the ways of the early medieval period.