Already hailed as Europe’s biggest and most spectacular medieval event, Tewkesbury Medieval Festival is planning to make its 25th anniversary bigger and better than ever this 12th – 13th July.

The Festival is marking its 25th year with a huge extravaganza – from a grand parade through the streets on Saturday morning, to a spectacular fire show in the shadow of the famous Abbey at dusk.

There will be the usual battle featuring around 2000 knights, archers and men at arms, a colourful and authentic living history camp with families living in complete medieval style for the whole weekend, and a fascinating market selling everything from medieval pots and authentic costumes to toys and individual jewellery.

But this year, plans are also in hand for a joust with knights on horseback meeting in combat and medieval entertainment on the fair site and throughout the town.

The festival will take place on fields at the edge of the Gloucestershire town on Gloucester Road, part of the site of the original battle of Tewkesbury of 1471.

Visitors could be forgiven for thinking they have slipped back to the those days, as they see whole families, dressed and living in real medieval style in the living history camps, or watch the 2000 warriors, many in full plate armour fight with swords, long bows and pole arms.

Look out for jousting teams demonstrating their skills at the tilt, and dragons, dancers, musicians and magicians, jesters and jugglers.

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A large and colourful medieval market, a beer tent and range of caterers make the day complete, and on Saturday night the fun does not stop when the site closes at 6pm - it moves into town for a re-creation of the storming of the Abbey by the Yorkist Army and the trial and not too series beheading of some of the captured Lancastrians.

The fair will be open from 11am to 6pm on both days. Entrance is free and ample parking is available, for a small charge. Tewkesbury is 1 mile from junction 9 of the M5 and the festival is signed from all major entrances to the town.

Visit www.tewkesburymedievalfestival.org