The Sealed Knot will be re-enacting a battle from the English Civil War at The Great Tew Estate under the title ‘A Battle for the Cotswolds’. It is taking place this August Bank Holiday on Sunday 30 and Monday 31 August 2026.
Although Great Tew Park wasn’t the site of a major battle during the Civil War, fighting took place nearby at Cropredy, Edgehill and Stow-on-the-Wold. This was a region marked by religious and political division in the mid 17th century.
Lucius Cary, Viscount Falkland, and his wife Lettice, from 1634 -1639, hosted the Great Tew Circle, which strove to find common ground between these increasingly polarised theological and positions. Their guests would come and stay for extended periods to read, write and discuss the pressing matters of the day.
During the ‘Battle for the Cotswolds over 2,000 members of The Sealed Knot will be participating and visitors can join them to explore what it was like to live and fight during the English Civil War. With cannon fire, charging horses and a full battle re-enactment it will be a great spectacle to watch.
Visitors can spend the day exploring their Living History Encampment, take part in activities and watch arena displays including the Grand Battle Finale where they can witness the spectacle of a battlefield with hundreds of infantry, artillery and cavalry troops as the Parliament Army attempts to take the Royalist stronghold.
The event is taking place at Great Tew Park, near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire OX7 4AF with the event starting at 11am and closing at 5pm.
Entrance tickets, including parking, cost £20 per family (2 adults and three children), £10 per individual ticket or £5 concessions (OAP’s and children under 16 years of age). Carers and Children under 5 enter for free. The tickets can be purchased in advance on their website: thesealedknot.org.uk or on the day.
There will be a coffee barista, tea and beer tent available on the site.
This will be a fun family day out reliving history, whilst immersing yourself in the 17th century learning what it was like for the people of England living and fighting in the civil war.
The Sealed Knot is the oldest re-enactment society in the UK, a registered educational charity and the single biggest re-enactment society in Europe.
The aim of the Society is not to glorify war but to honour those that died in the many battles of the English Civil War and to educate the public about those wars and the lives and times of people in that period.
Please note that due to the nature of the displays, loud noises from canon and musket are a common occurrence, please bear this in mind when looking to bring small children and dogs.