On The Home Front 1940s Weekend

Name: On The Home Front 1940s Weekend
Start: 2025-10-04T10:00:00+01:00
End: 2025-10-05T16:00:00+01:00
Location: Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings

Schedule

Sat, 04 Oct, 2025 at 10:00 am to Sun, 05 Oct, 2025 at 04:00 pm

UTC+01:00

Location

Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings | Bromsgrove, EN

Welcome back to the 1940s & Wartime Britain
Experience the life of the Second World War in the UK as Avoncroft turns back the clock.
With displays showing life in the midlands during the Second World War, there will be much to see – ranging from motorcycles and other vehicle’s from the 1930s and 1940s and civilians of the time, reenactors will be bringing our site and buildings including the Prefab to life.
This weekend should be fun for everyone wanting to experience the war years.
Avoncroft Museum will come to life over the weekend when many of the counties established re-enactment groups will setting up displays and providing interacting opportunities both in the buildings and around the comprehensive 19-acre site.
Vehicles
Many individuals will be bringing vehicles from the 1930s and 40s including cars, motorcycles, jeeps and lorry’s all of which will recreate the atmosphere and events of World War Two in the United Kingdom. This year we are very excited to welcome the ‘Bronx Bruiser’ a Hellcat Tank Destroyer onsite, along with Amber the 1940s Morris Ambulance and Matchless Motorcycles with her Medics and Messengers, Big Joes Jeeps will be on the Perry Lawn and look out, as the West Midland Motor Pool will be moving in with wreckers and jeeps onto to the main Guesten Hall Lawn.
Living History Camps
Stories from the 1939-45 period and will entertain visitors through immersive activities relating to the time.
During the two days, all over the extensive grounds, there will be displays and scenarios from an array of groups, including the 2nd Battalion Gloucester Regiment, re-enacting the period immediately after the Dunkirk evacuation, the American 1st Infantry training HQ in UK 1943 and the Home Guard, Home Front and Women’s Land Army.
New for 2025
We shall be welcoming Woman’s Auxiliary War Service (Burma) who will be sharing the stories of the unforgotten women who were supporting the Unforgotten Army.
The Windmill Filed will be used this year to accommodate our ever growing re-enactment groups.
1940s Vintage Fair Ground with Swing Boats for children, hook a duck Candy Floss and lots more.
Vehicles including Phelps Military Tank Destroyer
Live Entertainment
We have acts performing throughout the weekend around the site and on stage in the Guesten Hall including Kitten Von-Mew, Jo Thomas as (George Formby), The Vintage Class Singers and Vintage Singer Zac all being coordinated by the wonderful 1940s DJ Jumpin DJ Guy Rolls who will also be spinning the discs of the day.
Displays Scenarios and Characters
All of the buildings will be bought to life with displays and occupants, with the 1940s house hold in the Prefab, spot the 1940s family who were encouraged to holiday at home (camping) to keep the roads and railways clear for War Service. Spot characters including Monty, Clementine, Churchill and even Captain Manwaring.
VE and VJ Days Commemorations.
Sunday 5th October join in the march from the Windmill to the Mission Church to mark the VE and VJ 80th Anniversary led by Sergeant Major from 202 ( Worcester) aux battalion LHG.
Fashion Show – Fashion on a Ration
On the Sunday come along and enjoy a wonderful peek into the forties fashion as our models show of original and interesting pieces from their own personal collections.
Vintage Shopping
Come and enjoy some Vintage Shopping in the Vintage Village all set up in and around the Cockpit all weekend.
Vintage Hairdresser
We are delighted to welcome back Karen D Bebbington as our event Vintage Hair Stylist. Karen shall be with us all weekend to ensure we look the part, book your appointments with Karen before or at the event contact Karen here pop into the Vintage Village to get your Victory Rolls in place for the Saturday Wartime Dance or for one of the event days.
Dance Classes
We shall again be offering free dance classes throughout the day
on Saturday in the main Guesten Hall for you to watch or take part in, Rob and his team from ‘Time to Swing Dance’ will be taking you through the steps.
Hot & Cold Food and Drinks
Will be available to purchase in our Tearoom and Guesten Hall Event Café, including hot breakfast bacon baps and tasty pork rolls.
Join in and dress up for the event if you wish!
Many of our visitors join in and dress up if 1940s that really creates a wonderful atmosphere we welcome civilian and uniform (no Axis or replica weapons)
Evacuee Stall
Bring your little evacuees dressed up if they would like to join in (some ideas for costumes – search charity shops for grey shorts school trousers/skirts, hand knitted look cardigans tank tops shirts with buttons, knee socks, caps.)
Purchase your evacuee pack includes a gas mask box that can be worn and join in with the Evacuation (only pretend) Id card to get stamped, sweet rations, a post card to write home and more.
Wartime Dance – Always a sell out! The Evening Dance is a separate ticketed event.
Additionally, to the two weekend days, the museum is also opening on the Saturday evening 4th October.
Extending the event into the night with a 1940s War Time Dance with live entertainment in the magnificent New Guesten Hall, there will be live wartime entertainment including a dance class to kick of the evening and live entertainment from Vintage Class and our headlining Act this year is ………..Jonny Victory and the wonderful DJ Guy Roles will spin the “Discs of the Day.
The cocktails will be poured by Bars on The Run and you can buy a hot supper, and coffees and cakes.
Buy your Dance Ticket here for just £13
A free Heritage Bus service provided by Transport Museum Wythall
The Bus will be running a free service all weekend from Bromsgrove Train Station to Avoncroft Museum in Bromsgrove.
Great for our visitors who travel by train. Timetable coming soon.
Plus, the miniature railway will be running on both days for just £1 a ride