Visitors will step back in time to the 1930s and 40s as immersive displays and demonstrations capture both military and civilian life in the West Midlands
 
Over the weekend of October 12th and 13th, Avoncroft Museum’s nineteen acre site will reverberate with the sights and sounds on the 1930s and 40s as the museum stages its biggest and most popular event of the year.

Bringing together many of the region’s leading military and civilian reenactment groups On the Home Front will include, among others, Worcestershire at War, The Redditch Home Guard, US Infantry Division, Forever Forties Group, Living History UK and the Victory Belles. Dozens of individual reenactors will be dressing in character and bringing historic military and civilian vehicles to the site including ambulances, bicycles, cars, jeeps, lorries and motorcycles.

Immersive displays and demonstrations will make full use of the site’s historic buildings and will range from SAS preparations for raids behind enemy lines in France to a 1940s fashion show, vintage market and dance classes in the museum’s New Guesten Hall. 

During the days, musicians will perform live music from the period around the site and a variety of quality food and drink outlets will be available. A separately ticketed 1940s Dance will take place on the Saturday night featuring live music from Brandyn Shaw, Vintage Class and DJ Guy Roles.

Special children’s ‘Evacuee Packs’ including identity cards, food rations, games and a cardboard gas masks will both entertain and help children understand the hardships and mixed emotions prevalent in wartime Britain. The ‘evacuee’ miniature railway will be running throughout the weekend.

Avoncroft Museum is encouraging visitors to dress in the style of the day and immerse themselves in the era.

To help visitors get to Avoncroft by public transport a FREE Heritage bus service will run all weekend between Bromsgrove train station and Avoncroft Museum. This service has been kindly provided in association with Transport Museum at Wythall and Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership.

Early bird tickets can be purchased from the Avoncroft Museum website at £16 for adults and £5 for children. Separate tickets need to be purchased for children’s ‘Evacuation packs’ and the Saturday Evening Dance.