It's Civil War in Devizes!

Civil War Family Day, as part of the Festival of British Archaeology.  At Wiltshire Heritage Museum – Sunday 15 July 11am to 4pm.

As part of the Festival of British Archaeology we are holding a Civil War themed Family Day on 15 July 2012.  The battle of Roundway Down took place near here the town in 1643 and is detailed in our current Story of Devizes Exhibition.

There will be plenty to keep children and adults entertained with members of the Sealed Knot re-enactment group dressed in Civil War armour to talk to visitors about weaponry, warfare and 17th century way of life.  Children will be able to take part in a pike drill and try on roundhead armour.

Other fun activities in the galleries will include the opportunity to find out about and play with 17^th century toys and to make their own windmill toy as well as to create clay face jugs, based on bellarmine jugs, and to make and decorate herb bags.

The National Trust will lead archaeological object handling and craft activities in the garden and Trowbridge Metal Detectors Club will be showing a range of their recent finds, which will run alongside their current exhibition.  With all these things, plus quizzes, puzzles and sand tray archaeology digs, families will be able to find out more about archaeology and history of the local area in a fun and exciting way.

The day costs £4 for adults and children are free - come along any time. Light refreshments will be available.

During the summer holidays there will be craft based workshops.  Themes include Georgian and Victorian Devizes, the Ancient Greek Olympics, colourful Glass, textiles and paper making.  To find out more about any of these or to book a place on any of the sessions, please call the Museum or email wanhs@wiltshireheritage.org.uk.

For further information about the Family Day contact the Education Officer, Ali Rushent, on a.rushent@wiltshireheritage.org.uk or 01380 727369.