Free Iron Age Day at the Museum of Chelmsford

Families and history fans can look forward to a free day of Iron Age-themed activities at the Museum of Chelmsford later this month. On Saturday 18 July, visitors will be able to learn all about people from ancient Britain through live combat, historical demonstrations and crafty activities in an exciting and educational Iron Age Day.

The event will celebrate the opening of the museum’s latest exhibition, Timeless Treasures, which will see the Great Baddow Coin Hoard – Britain’s largest recorded Iron Age gold coin hoard – go on public display for the very first time.

Outdoor activities to explore life in Iron Age Britain

Taking place on the back lawn of the museum in Oaklands Park, this immersive event will transport you back to the Iron Age.

Visitors will be able to meet and chat with historical reenactors from Britannia Reenactment Society, who will be dressed as Iron Age Britons and Roman Praetorian Guards. You might even meet an Iron Age chieftain and some Roman ladies in their finery!

Visitors will meet Iron Age and Roman figures at the event. Credit: Britannia Reenactment Society.

Across the day, reenactors will showcase period fighting skills and techniques through mock combat, archery and catapult demonstrations – all themed to the story of the Great Baddow Coin Hoard.

There’ll also be living history stalls exploring what life was like through skilled presentations of Iron Age crafting techniques. These demonstrations are yet to be confirmed, but could include jewellery making, coin striking, shield painting, carpentry or cooking.

Britannia Reenactment Society will bring living history stalls to Oaklands Park. Credit: Britannia Reenactment Society.

Britannia Reenactment Society has appeared in 100+ television and film productions, including the films Gladiator and Centurion, as well as every episode of television’s Horrible Histories. The award-winning group was founded in Essex and brings a range of historical periods to life, from the Iron Age to WWI.

Free entry to museum for the day

More activities are set to take place inside the museum, which will be free for the entire day as part of a commitment to provide increased access to the arts. The day is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, as part of their support to acquire the Great Baddow Coin Hoard and share it with local people.

Free indoor activities will include the opportunity to make your own foil coin. Museum Learning Officer, Helen Brown, will also lead captivating storytelling sessions around the Discover Room ‘campfire’. Dressed in historical costume, she’ll share what life was like during the Iron Age and explore why the Great Baddow Coin Hoard might have been buried in Chelmsford. During the day, little ones can also get their faces painted like Iron Age warriors, with blue shapes and patterns.

The museum’s Community Engagement Officer, Maxine Dempster, says the day aims to bring history to life in a fun and educational way:

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“As we get ready for the much-anticipated launch of our Timeless Treasures exhibition, we wanted to keep engaging our local community with Chelmsford’s rich Iron Age history and the incredible story of the Great Baddow Coin Hoard. What better way to do this than through a free, immersive and educational Iron Age Day! We’re thrilled to have the award-winning Britannia Reenactment Society on hand to help us take our visitors back to life in the Iron Age for a day.”

Maxine Dempster, Community Engagement Officer, Museum of Chelmsford

Visit the Timeless Treasures exhibition

While at the Iron Age Day, don’t miss the opportunity to see the museum’s brand-new exhibition Timeless Treasures: Unlocking the Great Baddow Coin Hoard for free and get a glimpse of this golden hoard.

Inspired by the story of the Great Baddow Coin Hoard, Timeless Treasures explores what makes something truly precious. Visitors can see the hoard itself and learn more about Iron Age Chelmsford, while also exploring other treasures from Chelmsford’s story…

The exhibition runs until Sunday 11 April 2027. Admission is free during the Iron Age Day on Saturday 18 July from 10am until 5pm. Find out more at www.museumofchelmsford.co.uk/events/iron-age-day.