Head down to the Royal Armouries this Easter weekend to witness a spectacular live jousting event.
It’s tournament time once again as thrilling live-action jousting returns to Yorkshire for a right royal affair. From Friday 7th to Monday 10th April 2023 the Royal Armouries’ Tiltyard will play host to teams of knights from across the globe, as they battle it out for the inaugural King Charles III Coronation Cup. With twice-daily tournament shows and a packed programme of medieval-themed events, it’s set to be an epic weekend.
Experience the thrill of live jousting
There’s nothing quite like watching jousting. The thud of the hooves as the horses race at full speed towards one another, the cheers of the crowd and the clash of lances on armour – it’s a high-adrenaline, live-action experience where real life knights showcase their skill and bravery. This is a full-on, authentic competition packed with thrills, spills and plenty of pomp and pageantry. There’s absolutely no choreography involved – it’s a real, highly-contested sport.
This year’s International Jousting Tournament will see teams of proud knights from the USA and Poland, alongside the home-grown Royal Armouries team, fight it out for the inaugural King Charles III Coronation Cup. Once upon a time, jousts took place annually to celebrate the reign of a monarch. What better time to witness this royal spectacle for yourself? Jousting events at the Armouries are always popular, so grab your tickets soon to make sure you don’t miss out.
The fascinating tournament shows will take place at 11am and 2pm between Good Friday and Bank Holiday Monday, with each show lasting around 45 minutes. You can catch the action from a balcony directly above the action for £20 – these are the best seats in the house, so tickets are limited. Alternatively, grab one of their £10 or £5 tickets, giving you plenty of chance to witness this remarkable event. Act fast, as tickets are in high demand.
Explore a brand new exhibition
After you experience the thrills and spills of live jousting, you can learn more about the historic sport at the Armouries’ brand new exhibition. Full Tilt: Modern Competitive Jousting showcases the stories and achievements of the modern day jousting community, using photos, objects and new audio-visual material to tell the story of how the Royal Armouries has successfully revitalised an ancient sport and the passion of medievalists into the international spectacle it is today.
If all that isn’t enough, all weekend long there will be a packed programme of live events, giving little knights loads of opportunities to get stuck in and providing entertainment for all the family. You can marvel at live combat demonstrations and dramatic performances from historic characters, get involved with interactive sessions and create your own take-home goodies in the craft courtyard, before grabbing a bite to eat at the on-site cafe.
Of course, you can also explore the museum itself, home to over 4,500 artefacts including a whole host of breathtaking armour and weaponry. There’s everything from Henry VIII’s foot combat armour made in 1520, elephant armour and tusk swords from the late 16th century, and iconic sci-fi weapons like the pulse rifle from the original Aliens film. With so much to see and do, head down this Easter Bank Holiday for the ultimate fun-filled family day out.
Don’t miss out – book your tickets now
The Easter Bank Holiday jousting tournament is set to be a sellout event, so book your tickets now using the form below. Tickets start at £5 and include full access to the museum, which opens at 10am and closes at 5pm. Jousting shows take place at 11am and 2pm.
