Living History Day
- 11th Oct 2026
- 10am - 5pm
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of the 1940s at Eden Camp
BACK TO THE 1940s: SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER
Open 10am to 5pm (last admission 4pm)
Dig out your best hat and step back in time for a family day out at Eden Camp. On Sunday 11 October the site comes alive with 1940s music, re-enactors and living history, set in a genuine 1942 prisoner of war camp. With 21 original exhibition huts to explore and something new around every corner, there's plenty to keep all ages busy, from curious little ones to grandparents who remember the stories first hand.
Dress up if you like. Everyone is welcome in their 1940s best, and the children's outfits are usually the stars of the day.
Eden Camp also runs this weekend in partnership with Pickering 1940s Weekend, so you can pair your visit with the town's own celebrations, and a free shuttle bus links the two.
A DAY OUT FOR ALL THE FAMILY
Under 5s are free, and a carer ticket is free with a full priced ticket.
Wet weather is no problem. Every exhibition is indoors, in a hut or in the Heritage Hall, so bring a coat for the walk between them.
Allow three to four hours to make the most of it.
Free parking on site.
Dogs are welcome everywhere on site, including inside the huts, on a short lead. In the café they can join you in the seating areas at either end.
Our partners
This event proudly runs in partnership with Pickering 1940s Weekend, giving visitors the chance to enjoy two incredible experiences in one nostalgic celebration. Step beyond the Museum gates and head into the historic streets of Pickering, where the town will be alive with music, vehicles, re-enactors and 1940s flair. Together, Eden Camp and Pickering 1940s Weekend create a shared atmosphere of fun, community and wartime spirit – perfect for a full weekend of discovery and celebration.
Get your tickets now and prepare to step into a world where the past comes alive!
What's happening?
Live Entertainment:
Live music in the Heritage Hall
Big band swing and wartime favourites fill the Heritage Hall all day, and the dance floor is open whenever you're ready to join in.
Kyle Evans as George Formby
Grab a seat near the front and sing along. Kyle brings the cheeky charm of George Formby, one of the biggest stars of the war years, with his ukulele favourites Leaning on a Lamp Post and When I'm Cleaning Windows.
Hattie Bee, vintage singer
Hattie sings the music of the 1930s to the 1950s, from Vera Lynn and Gracie Fields to the Andrews Sisters. Expect plenty of songs the grandparents know word for word, and a few the children will pick up quickly.
Karen Colin and Don Gentile, voices of the 1940s
Revisit the golden age of popular song with warm, romantic vocals in the style of the dance band era.
York Vintage Dance Group
Watch from the side or join in. Whatever your age or footwork, the floor is yours.
Living history
Meet re-enactors across the site and find out what life was like on the Home Front and beyond. Ask questions, take a closer look and take your time. Look out for the small arms and tank talks in the Heritage Hall, given by our team, several of whom are veterans talking about weapons they carried themselves. Every weapon is deactivated and certificated, and handling is supervised throughout.
Vintage shopping:
Browse a fantastic selection of trade stands throughout the site, offering everything from vintage clothing and accessories to period-inspired gifts, memorabilia and handcrafted goods. Whether you’re searching for the perfect finishing touch to your 1940s outfit, a unique souvenir, or something special to take home, the trade stands add even more variety and atmosphere to the weekend, making your visit a true celebration of style, nostalgia and community.
We’re excited to welcome a fantastic range of traders bringing history, treasures, and treats to our event:
Goodeys – 1930’s/40’s Antiques, Bygones & Collectables & WW2 Memorabilia.
C & P Supplies – Military uniforms and badges and ladies vintage clothing and accessories.
DADS ARMY – Genuine military collectibles, clothing and replicas and ladies 1940 style clothing shoes and accessories.
JSC Collectables – Specialises in WWI & WWII MILITARIA, EQUIPMENT, AND UNIFORMS.
Edward’s Shed – Sell a mix of replica signs and boxes as well as authentic wartime ephemera for the home front
A Sticky Situation – Over 100 different home made jams chutneys & sauces, honey & cheese
Byzantium – Ladies’ clothing, Men’s uniforms, and Military
Betty’s Backyard – Vintage clothing, homewares and small items of furniture
Woodfield – ‘1940s Newsagents’ ~ selling replica newspapers from 1939-1945 ~ produced in the late 70s/early 80s’. and original 1940s magazines
Food And Drink
The Yorkshire Bus Bar is back! Pull up a seat and enjoy locally brewed beers, spirits and gins. Cheers!
Hungry? WinStan’s Bunker Café is open to everyone, serving hearty wartime inspired dishes in the original 1942 huts where prisoners of war once cooked and ate their meals.
You’ll also find the I Love Lucy’s food truck on site, so there’s plenty to choose from whenever you need to refuel.
Huts to look out for with children
Step into Hut 4 and explore Anderson and Morrison shelters.
Visit Hut 6 for Stars of the Time, our lightest hut, set in a music hall.
Try Hut 7, The Street at War, where cups had no handles and suits had fake pockets.
Head to Hut 17, Save It Street, to see how saucepans were turned into aircraft.
Find the prefab and Dig for Victory Garden, a 1992 reconstruction of a post-war home with a wartime vegetable patch outside.
Hut 5 recreates a Blitz raid with sound and sensory effects, so you may want to prepare younger children or anyone sensitive to noise.
Day and weekend tickets
A range of ticket options are available to suit individuals and families, with the best value available when booking online in advance. Adult day tickets are £19 on the day, but just £17 when booked in advance, while children aged 5–16 are £15 on the day or £14 online.
Children under 5 go free. For visitors planning to enjoy the full experience, online weekend tickets offer exceptional value, with prices from £30 for adults and £25 for children.
A free carer ticket is available with the purchase of a full-priced ticket. Family tickets provide even greater savings, with discounted online and weekend options available for a range of family sizes – perfect for making the most of a full weekend of 1940s fun.
Individual Day Tickets
Compare day and weekend admission — advance online booking saves on every ticket type.
| Visitor | Day Ticket | Advance Day Ticket | Online Weekend Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | £19 | £17 | £30 |
|
Child (5 to 16 inclusive) |
£15 | £14 | £25 |
|
Child (Under 5) |
FREE | FREE | FREE |
| Carer Ticket* |
FREE |
FREE |
FREE |
*Carer Ticket — free of charge only when accompanying a visitor who has purchased a full priced ticket.
Family Tickets
| On The Day | Online Weekend Tickets | |
2 Adults & 2 Children | £60 | £65 | £80 |
2 Adults & 3 Children | £70 | £77 | £80 |
2 Adults & 1 Children | £47 | £52 | £80 |
1 Adult & 1 Child | £30 | £33 | £60 |
1 Adult & 2 Children | £43 | £47 | £60 |
1 Adult & 3 Children | £58 | £62 | £60 |
Don’t miss out – book your tickets now and join us for an unforgettable weekend of music, dancing and wartime spirit.
Trade Stands
Browse a fantastic selection of trade stands throughout the site, offering everything from vintage clothing and accessories to period-inspired gifts, memorabilia and handcrafted goods.
Whether you’re searching for the perfect finishing touch to your 1940s outfit, a unique souvenir, or something special to take home, the trade stands add even more variety and atmosphere to the weekend, making your visit a true celebration of style, nostalgia and community.
Confirmed Traders
C&P Supplies – Military uniforms and badges and ladies 1940s clothing
Dads Army – Genuine military collectable clothing and replicas
War-Drobe – WWII inspired clothing and merchandice
The Vintage Laine – Vintage Clothing bags hats and accessories
Antiques Lady – 1940s Antiques and Collectable (Hut 7)
A Sticky Situation – Over 140 different homemade jams, chutneys and sauces, cheese truckles, local honey
A free shuttle bus runs between Pickering, Galtres and Eden Camp across the Back to the 1940s weekend, Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October.
Where to catch it
In Pickering, please wait at the bus stop opposite Eastgate Car Park, not in the car park itself. The bus turns round at the industrial estate, so it picks up from the far side of the road.
Galtres is just outside Pickering, roughly halfway between Pickering and Eden Camp. what3words: ///asleep.villager.thirsty
Route
Pickering (Eastgate Car Park), Galtres, Eden Camp, then back the same way.
Sunday
Leaves Pickering | Leaves Galtres | Leaves Eden Camp (return) |
|---|---|---|
10:00am | 10:10am | 10:30am |
11:00am | 11:10am | 11:30am |
12:00pm | 12:10pm | 12:30pm |
1:00pm | 1:10pm | 2:00pm |
2:30pm | 2:40pm | 3:00pm |
3:30pm | 3:40pm | 4:00pm |
Return only | Return only | 5:00pm |
The last bus back leaves Eden Camp at 5pm, as the museum closes.
Frequently Asked Questions
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NOTE TO RE-ENACTORS: (Dress code and weapons guide)
All visitors to the museum are invited to join in with the fun and get dressed up in either civilian or military period clothing. All weapons (including but not limited to deactivated rifles, blank firing weapons, knives, bayonets) are NOT permitted on site.
Costume must be respectful and SS/Gestapo uniform (or similar) is strictly prohibited. We respectfully request in light of current events for visitors/reenactors to avoid Russian attire/equipment of any kind. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
