WIN a Bronze Axe Head with Butser Plus! ✨🔥 To celebrate the relaunch of Butser Plus, we are giving away this beautiful bronze axe head made by our resident archaeo-bronzesmith Jim Clift. Enter here: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/blog/2026/1/...

What do you get when you cross a parasitic wasp, an oak tree and a water reed? Find out in our latest video, as two members of the Butser team have a go at making ink in the style of the Anglo-Saxons! Watch & subscribe to Butser YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqYT...

Half term visitors from Wednesday to Friday may spot a few industrious workers laying a hedge along the Butser pathways! Our latest video on Butser YouTube follows our excellent treewright Darren Hammerton as he takes us through the stages of laying a hedge: www.youtube.com/watch?v=g51A...

These photos are from a visit back in 2018, @butserancientfarm.co.uk is such a fascinating place to visit. I must go back this year to take some more recent photos. #HistoricEngland #AncientBritain #LivingHistory

This half term, we have a celestial-themed family trail, willow star wands & sun disc pendants to take home, Roman boardgames, mosaics & Saxon runes, and reeanctors from across the ancient world. Plus, have-a-go archery on 21-22 Feb! Find out more: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/blog/2026/2/...

It's Flinty Friday over on the Butser YouTube channel, as flintknapping expert Mark Havey takes us through the basics of making Stone Age tools... 🗿 (Psst! We have a few spaces left on our flintknapping workshops in May. But be warned, they sell quickly!) www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNM0...

One dry day was all we needed to raise the wickerman frame this week! 🔥 We can't wait to see what our willow-weavers Mark and Rebecca from Two Circles Design has in store for this year's wickerman. Any guesses what it might be? 🧐

A "naked" wicker man @butserancientfarm.co.uk prepared for lifting and then "lifted" into place. Team work building on preparation. Now teams will weave the statue, and fill the frame, ready for burning at Beltain.

This is excellent. I love the skill and the demonstration of early science.

It's time for another update from our fantastic group of volunteers, The Experimentalists! This week they're sharing progress on Butser's 'Little Hadrian' - the new flint wall being built behind our Roman villa. Read more on the Butser blog: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/blog/2026/1/...

Good things are happening at Butser Plus!

From 1066 to Robin Hood, longbows are an iconic part of English history - and what's a bow without its arrows? Blacksmith Joe Tyler and craftsman Lewis Beck show us how to make a replica Saxon arrow based on local archaeology! Watch & Subscribe: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVae...

Fabulous 24 hrs introducing my Explorer Scouts & fellow leaders to the wonderful @butserancientfarm.co.uk. Dinner was mackerel prepped with stone tools they had made themselves with some pretty impressive cheffing for a group of teenage flint novices! #archaeology #scouting #experimentalarchaeology

Pleasing volunteer day @butserancientfarm.co.uk. Early task to help move two 10m pine trunks out of the woods. Then, there was time to cover the cold frame with polythene sheeting. Project finished. All timber prepared on site, making use of scavenged wood. A speciality; slightly more creative.

Sometimes the laws of space and time are the worst and keep me from things like taking every one of these classes

So many hobbies, so little time... 🤷🏼‍♀️ From nålbinding and drum making, to copper leaf decorations, rope making, ceramic labyrinths, raku-fired lanterns and amber pendants. We've just added a fresh batch of fantastic workshops to our website! BOOK HERE: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/whats-on/cal...

BABY GOAT TIME TRAVELLER!! I wonder if she thinks she lives in the past or if she knows its an open air museum and just acts like she's an historical goat, a re-enactor, like a pro ;) youtu.be/rmsV42Lbj0I?... with @butserancientfarm.co.uk

We love a bit of breaking archaeological news here at the farm, so we were delighted to see the headlines about a rare Iron Age hoard unearthed in Thetford, Norfolk! Check out the Butser blog this week to learn more about carnyces & why they are so rare: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/blog/2026/1/...

Back to the grind for our Christmas tree recycling team... 🎄🐐

Planning to wassail my two baby apple trees tomorrow.

Have you ever communed with a tree spirit on Twelfth Night? 🍏✨ This week on the blog, we've shared a recipe for mulled cider wassail, plus: - Why do we sing to the apple trees in January? - Who was the Apple Tree Man? - What were wassail bowls made from? www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/blog/2026/1/...

Are you ready for this weekend's Super Wolf Moon? No matter where we are in the world - or even in history - we all see the same moon. We've put together a guide to all the Full Moons of 2026 on the Butser blog! Find it here: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/blog/2025/1/...

Archaeology is often reduced to finds in the media. But for me the most important thing are the people I get to work with. Here are some highlights from '25 starting with @uclarchaeology.bsky.social staff & students who worked with @butserancientfarm.co.uk to make #Archaeotech2025 happen. 🏺1/5

Could you be our next Events & Development Co-ordinator? 🔥 We are looking for someone confident, organised & driven to execute our exciting events programme. ✨ Fancy working in a small, passionate team in the beautiful South Downs? We'd love to hear from you! www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/vacancies

No, it isn't snowing... But there's nothing like a snowy Manx Loaghtan ram to wish all our visitors, volunteers, staff, friends and followers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Our office is now closed until 5 January 2026. Have a good one! 🍻

Happy Winter Solstice / Christmas from the land of the Durotriges! We're going to close the hillfort gate for a couple of days, so take care out there and see you all soon All together now: "After all there's only one more multivallate Iron Age enclosure till Christmas" #HillfortsWednesday

Last call for the best Christmas present ever... A workshop ticket or gift voucher to use in 2026! From bronze casting to basket weaving, flint knapping to deer butchery 🔥 Events & workshops: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/whats-on/cal... Gift vouchers: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/gift-vouchers

I finished my last watercolour painting of buildings at Butser Ancient Farm (@butserancientfarm.co.uk) today, it's been fun to do a couple every now and then over the last few months.

There are many advantages to having round-the-clock roundhouse access, but smoking your own salmon for Christmas might top the list... 🔥 Fancy enjoying eclectic perks like these? Find out more about our vacancy for an Events & Development Coordinator: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/vacancies

Could you be our next Events & Development Co-ordinator? 🔥 We are looking for someone confident, organised & driven to execute our exciting events programme. ✨ Fancy working in a small, passionate team in the beautiful South Downs? We'd love to hear from you! www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/vacancies

Just a few of our workshop offerings for 2026! 🔥🌿✨ From flintknapping to birch drums, chain maille to metallurgy - there's something for everyone! Extraordinary heritage crafts, all led by passionate experts in their field. BROWSE THEM ALL HERE: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/whats-on/cal...

🎉 Our year in open days, student fieldwork and field trips in London, Suffolk, Sussex and Hampshire! It’s been a great year! Thanks to @ucl.ac.uk @butserancientfarm.co.uk British Museum archives, @nattrustarch.bsky.social and many more! See you in 2026! #ThinkDifferentlyThinkArchaeology

We have lots of cool workshops on next year, including my offering on Ancient Metallurgy!

Still looking for that perfect Christmas gift? We have a huge range of unique, expert-led workshops lined up for 2026! From bronze casting and Stone Age sewing, to corn dollies, belt weaving, chainmail & flintknapping.. Check out our 2026 workshops: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/whats-on/cal...

Now BRING us some figgy pudding! ✨ ...But what exactly is it? The pudding we know today actually began as a savoury broth made of fruit, spices, wine, breadcrumbs, almonds & meat. Try our Saxon recipe & learn about the history of figgy puds on our blog: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/blog/2025/12...

We loved meeting Phill and Laura from @shineradio.bsky.social to chat all about our award-winning education programme! 🔥✨ Visit our website to learn more about what we can offer: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/learning/sch... Listen to the podcast episode here: shineradio.uk/2025/12/the-...

Tickets are going fast for Midwinter's Magical Quest! ✨ Join us for a heart-warming adventure through time as we celebrate the rich heritage of winter customs... 🔥 13th, 14th & 20th December Book here: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/whats-on/calendar/christmas/midwinters-magical-quest-family-wstfr

We all know this is Colin and he lives @butserancientfarm.co.uk and, more importantly, is in no way a capybara.

Join us this December for Midwinter’s Magical Quest - an alternative festive family adventure among our ancient buildings! This event takes inspiration from traditional British folklore as well as ancient & Early Medieval celebrations. 4 dates available: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/whats-on/cal...

New on the blog this week! Our experimental archaeologist @experimentalkearns.bsky.social has shared a highlight from her recent trip to Italy, where she came face to face with the Copper Age legend himself, Ötzi the Iceman... ❄️ www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/blog/2025/11...

Remember, Beltain 2026 tickets will be released NEXT WEEK! 🔥✨ Our biggest event of the year sells out in less than five minutes (although we would love to invite everyone, of course!) So what does this mean for you if you're hoping to get tickets?

Late night shopping! 🎄✨ Join us at the farm TOMORROW Friday 28th November between 5-7pm for Christmas mead and stocking fillers. Drop into our farm shop after work and pick up something special before the festive rush!

Join us for our bestselling Celtic fire festival on 2 May! 🔥 Early access for Butser Plus Pioneer & Hero members: Tuesday 2nd December at midday 🌿 General tickets go on sale: Wednesday 3rd December at midday Watch last year's highlights: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/beltain-celtic-fire-festival

Looking for creative therapy this winter? Our Spoon Carving Workshop will help you learn the intricate techniques of carving and refining wooden spoons. 🥄 Saturday 13th December (10am - 2pm) 🍂 Relaxing, welcoming & beginner-friendly Last few tickets: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/whats-on/cal...

Beltain 2026 tickets are coming…! 🔥🌱⚔️ Early access for Butser Plus Pioneer or Hero supporters: Tue 2 Dec General tickets go on sale: Wed 3 Dec Subscribe to our monthly newsletter for all the updates, or join Butser Plus to be first in line! 🔥 More info: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/beltain-celt...

Last few tickets left for our Hedgerow Wreath Workshop! Immerse yourself in the timeless beauty of our Saxon meadhall in this calming escape from the bustle of modern Christmas.. 🌿 26th & 29th Nov 🔥 2 hour workshop including a winter warmer dram of mead www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/whats-on/cal...

It’s been one year since we won the prestigious Sandford Award! 🔥🏺🐐 This is the ultimate gold star in heritage education, recognising heritage sites that deliver outstanding learning experiences. One year on, we are still so proud of our team! Read more: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/blog/2025/11...

Just a handful of tickets left for our next Home Education Day at the farm! Get hands on with a special day of fun and educational activities - bringing history to life for children of all ages. 📍 Wednesday 10th December ⌛ 10am - 2pm www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/.../home-edu....

Today, @butserancientfarm.co.uk Dave, Oli and I have been continuing with developing the compost bay, with integrated potting area. Still a make do, scrounge, or create materials project. Next week we'll have to cut more timber. Dave and Immy repurposed the bench and shelf...🤷‍♂️

We have the very best volunteers! 🥰