Butser Ancient Farm, a popular open-air museum in Waterlooville, Hampshire, is inviting families to experience the magic of ancient winter traditions at this year’s Midwinter’s Magical Quest: Yules of Yesteryear. Taking place on all weekends in December, this immersive and family-friendly event will transport visitors back in time to experience the winter customs of the Saxons, Romans, Celts, and Neolithic peoples.
Set against the backdrop of Butser’s historic buildings, the Midwinter’s Magical Quest offers a journey through time, where visitors will have the chance to discover the magic of winter festivals, meet characters from folklore, and engage in hands-on activities and crafts inspired by the past. This year, Butser has developed exciting new characters to bring even more Yules of Yesteryear to life for visitors.
One of the highlights of the event is the quest to find the missing Holly King, the guardian of Winter. Visitors will embark on this quest by stepping into a world where folklore comes alive and the spirits of midwinter are honored. They will journey through different time periods, from fireside tales in an Iron Age roundhouse to the mischievous revelry of Saturnalia in the Roman Villa, to gather the wisdom of the ages and find the Holly King.
The event also features a variety of activities and interactions with characters from different time periods. Visitors can join Rowena, the Lady of Yule, in the Saxon Hall for “Glæd Geol,” where they will hear about Scandinavian folklore and the helpful household spirits known as Tomten or Nisse. They can also participate in natural crafting and learn about Saxon traditions of feasting and burning the Yule log.
In the Roman Villa, visitors can immerse themselves in the festive chaos of Saturnalia with Felix, a slave who has been elevated to the role of Lord of Misrule for the day. They can make their own sigillaria, small wax figures that were traditional Roman gifts, and learn about the festival’s roots in generosity and mischief.
The event also includes a visit to the Iron Age Great Roundhouse for winter storytelling around the fire, as well as a chance to make wishes on the Winter Wishing Trees. Visitors will then meet the radiant Deer Queen in the Neolithic Horton Longhouse, who embodies the bond between humans and the natural world.
Kristin Devey, who developed the winter experience at Butser Ancient Farm, shared her excitement about this year’s Midwinter Quest: “We are delighted to welcome visitors to Butser this winter for a truly magical experience. This year’s quest brings to life even more folklore, characters, and ancient traditions, offering a chance to reconnect with the heart of the season—away from the rush and commercialism of modern festivities.”
The Midwinter’s Magical Quest runs three times a day on all weekends in December, from Saturday 7th until Sunday 22nd December, 2024. In addition to the quest, Butser Ancient Farm offers a full schedule of festive events and workshops, including Tales of Winter Magic, Yuletide Storytelling, and a Winter Solstice Celtic Celebration.
Tickets for the Midwinter’s Magical Quest and other festive events can be purchased on the Butser Ancient Farm website. The farm, which is a not-for-profit, independently run community interest company (CIC), relies on the support of many organizations and individuals, as well as their own fundraising events, to make their research and education work possible. More information about Butser Ancient Farm can be found on their website.
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