Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 September 2008, 11am to 4.30pm

The National Trust's premier historical event, and now even bigger! Living history from the ancient world to the space race - re-enactments, battles, skirmishes and displays - music and song - entertainments - have a go activities - fascinating historical crafts

We regret that this event was cancelled by the National Trust following extreme weather conditions encountered on Friday 5th September.

Don't miss this spectacular living history event, this year supported by W. Britain, the famous model soldier manufacturers. Following on from the huge success of our 2007 show, the National Trust has invited EventPlan to stage Blasts from the Past for a fifth great year at  Cliveden, with more performers than ever!  Our new, enlarged and extremely picturesque location worked extremely well last time so we are back there again this year. Around 10,000 visitors are expected to enjoy exploring several different performance and living history areas (including a large number of period troops in field fortifications dug into woodland areas). For a flavour of things to come, click for over 1000 photos of our 2007 show by Red Zebra Photo, Images2view or actiontake1.  

Click the link for frequently asked questions.

700 participants from 45 of Britain's best historical groups will present a continuous programme of exciting displays plus ongoing living history including arms, armour, weaponry, warriors and soldiers through the ages;  multi-era living history encampments; battles, skirmishes and shoot outs; equestrian skills; military vehicles and much more. Non-military displays include music and song, everyday life through the ages, cooking, fashion, crafts and even a NASA spaceman! Visitors can enjoy children's entertainments including puppet shows, interactive displays, a chance to train as "medieval men-at-arms" and to find out what it was like to be in Queen Boudicca's army in battle against the Romans. There will be a huge variety of displays and activities to enjoy, as well as many unusual and interesting items on sale within the historical market. In fact, there is so much to choose from, with over 50 timed displays and activities per day and several happening simultaneously in different areas, that we recommend that  visitors consider coming on both days to enjoy it all!

New this year: Saxon and Tudor living history; Mid-C18th French and Indian War redcoats, French and Native Americans; American War of Independence redcoats and artillerymen; more Napoleonic redcoats plus 95th Riflemen, Indian Raj-era Skinners Horse; 1930s American gangsters and Federal agents; more WWII Germans and Vietnam-era American forces. Plus the incredible, true story of Britain's ambitious plan to send astronauts to the Moon during the late 1930s, which was halted by the outbreak of war. New entertainments and activities for children include Pirate School, and a chance to dress up in C16th costume and take a stroll with Henry VIII and his courtiers.

The Performers

Classical Greek  - The Hoplite Association   

Romans and Britons - The Vicus 

Dark ages/Early medieval - Ormsgard! and Angelcynn

Medieval  - The Lion Rampant, Beaufort Compagnye, The Oxford Household, Erpyngham Retinue, Hellequin and Warhorse.

Renaissance - Fahnlein Uri  

Tudor - Perrotts Puppet Players, Tudor Tales and  Farthingale

C17th - The English Civil War Society and History Re-enactment Workshop  

C18th - The Association of Crown Forces 1776,  Lace Wars,  New France & Old England and (for children), Pirate School.

Regency/Napoleonic - The Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards, 1815,  The 2nd (Queens Royal) Regiment of Foot, 33rd Regiment of Foot, 2nd Battalion 95th Rifles, 69eme Regiment d'Infanterie de Ligne and Ancient Wisdom (Battle of the Nile).

American Civil War - The American Eagle Society,  The Southern Skirmish Association and  9th New York Volunteer Cavalry

American West -  The Wyoming Wild Bunch

Victorian - History Horse,  Grymm Tooms Travelling Museum and Hands on History

Edwardian -  The Antarctic Adventurers  and Hautbois musicians

World War One - Croix de Guerre and the 1914-21 Society

1930s - Pershings Doughboys (as gangsters and Federal agents),  La Columna and Ancient Wisdom (1930s Moon project))

World War Two -  World War Two Living History Association, 2/Pz.Aufkl.Abt.Grossdeutschland, Shore Patrol and Za Oberonya

Vietnam era - 5th Special Forces Group, 3rd Mobile Strike Force 1966, Rolling Thunder and 101st Airborne LRRP/Ranger Living History Association

1980s-modern era - Forces 80 and  Past Regiments

Re-enactment groups and other performers: We regret that we are now at full capacity for this year's show so cannot accept any more participants. If interested in taking part in a future Blasts from the Past or our other events, please contact us for further details and click the link for our Standard terms and conditions for participation.

Timetable of displays and activities   (H) indicates displays with horses.

Ongoing displays, living history and activities

In addition to the timed displays above, don’t miss the extensive woodland and open field living history displays, from most of the above groups plus:

Saxon living history by Angelcynn; C16th basket making by Tudor Tales – visitors are invited to make willow wands and corn dolls to take away*; C17th tea salon at the History Re-enactment Workshop tent*; C18th Pirate School for children*; American Civil War era campaign camp and rifle pits by The American Eagle Society; Victorian parlour by Hands on History; polar explorers of the Antarctic Adventurers; German soldiers of 1940 portrayed by Das Heer; WWII Soviet soldiers of Za Oberonya; Vietnam era US forces recreated by Rolling Thunder, the 5th Special Forces Group, 3rd Mobile Strike Force and the 101st Airborne LRRP/Ranger Living History Association; 1960s anti-Vietnam war demonstrator portrayed by Peter Frost (subject to confirmation); 1980s British soldiers by Forces 80; British Army of the Rhine by Past Regiments, Historical traders and crafts; Catapult games and have a go archery (a small fee applies)*. 

* In the Entertainments & Activities area                                                                                           

Admission prices - superb value!

With the event offering excellent value for money for National Trust members, this will be an excellent reason for non-member visitors to join, save money, and in doing so assist this worthy organisation in its objectives.

Important Health and Safety information – please note

Visiting Cliveden

See the National Trust's web pages about Cliveden to find out more about this beautiful property.

Cliveden is on the North bank of the River Thames at Taplow, near Maidenhead, Buckinghamshire.

From M40 Junction 4:  Take the A404 (South towards Marlow), and follow the brown signs.  From  M4 Junction 7:  Take the A4 towards Maidenhead, then follow brown signs.  The event entrance is just under 1 mile to the south of the usual main entrance.

Other events 2008

Click here for details of many other historical events organised by EventPlan during 2008.

Updated 9 September 2008