Priory Arts Home2026-05-18T14:21:23+00:00

Vikings at the Priory 

May 27th – June 22nd 2026 at Leominster Priory

Exhibition and Events  Open 10am-4pm 

Priory Arts is pleased to present the Herefordshire Hoard (replica), a nationally significant Saxon/Viking treasure which was found near Leominster. This will form just a part of an innovative exhibition at Leominster Priory which will bring both the Hoard and our local history to life, exploring the Viking history in the area, and examining the differences and influences between Viking and Anglo-Saxon ways of life, and art. Along with ‘hands-on history’ events, talks, walks, plays, concerts, re-enactments and an interactive exhibition (with a replica Viking Ship, shields, clothes and their Anglo Saxon equivalents), we have  developed a schools’ programme involving over 14 schools. 

The exhibition will include work from local artists, students and community groups, many exploring the meaning of ‘treasure’.  A special display about the Hereford Gospels, an 8th century treasure of Hereford Cathedral, includes art by Liz Jones, Peter Furniss and the Marches Scribes, vividly recreating the world of illuminated manuscripts. We’ll be the first in the diocese to host the ‘Hereford Gospels for Today Project’, a book inspired by the original. 

Please note that dogs will not be allowed in the Priory Church during the exhibition

Regia Anglorum Re-enactment Weekend Highlights

10am – 4pm, Saturday 30th May – WARRIOR TRAINING on the Grange and traditional Viking and Anglo-Saxon Crafts in the Priory grounds.
11.30am Saturday 30th May, Leominster Priory – VIKING BURIAL in the iconic Norman Nave of Leominster Priory
witness a re-enactment of a ship burial for a fallen Viking.
3pm Saturday 30th May, The Grange – BATTLE Small skirmishes and mighty battles
8.30pm Saturday 30th May, Leominster Priory – ANGLO-SAXON NIGHT PRAYER Join Regia Anglorum for an
authentic Anglo-Saxon Compline (Night Prayer).
10am -4pm, Sunday 31st May WARRIOR TRAINING on the Grange.
3pm Sunday 31st May, The Grange – BATTLE Small skirmishes and mighty battles
11.30 Sunday 31st May, Leominster Priory – VIKING AND ANGLO—SAXON FASHION SHOW

The Priory Church continues to be open for services and visits

We are a welcoming and inclusive church in the rural market town of Leominster, in Hereford Diocese.

Whether you would like to come to a church service, are enquiring about a special event, such as a wedding or a christening or are a visitor; click here to visit the Priory Church website.

Leominster Priory is open to visitors daily from 10am-4pm. Please note dogs are not allowed inside the Priory building during the exhibition period with the exception of assistance dogs.

Leominster Priory is part of Leominster Team Ministry which includes 23 churches: The Eastern Parishes of Stoke Prior, Kimbolton, Hamnish, Hatfield, Ford, Hope-under-Dinmore, Pudleston, Bockleton, Middleton-on-the-Hill, Leysters, Humber, and Docklow. The Western Parishes of Dilwyn, Orleton, Brimfield, Eyton, Eye,

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Here are our new Instagram posts and some from the Priory 900 celebrations in 2025

‘How to Build a Viking Ship’ is the first event that is part of our month-long arts exhibition and events based at Leominster Priory Church. This event pre-dates the opening of the exhibition as it's on Tuesday 26th May at 6pm. There's a small charge of £5 for this event, although the festival and many other events are free or ask for donations. Stephen Etheridge, of Regia Anglorum, explains the technology and craftsmanship behind the way that Viking ships changed the history of Europe. This year's theme for the exhibition is centred around 'treasure', celebrating the Herefordshire Viking Hoard that was found near Leominster in 2015 and is now in the trust of Herefordshire Museums & Galleries
We will retell an old wild tale of Hoards, and peform a new drama about the Herefordshire Hoard found near Leominster. ‘Beowulf, and the Dragon’s Hoard’ and ‘The Legend of Our Hoard’ is being held on Sunday 14th June 6pm at Leominster Priory. Performed by Leominster Morris, puppeteer Andrew Purvin of The Fetch Theatre, and the Priory Arts Players. Tickets available via the Priory Arts website
Anglo-Saxon Calligraphy Workshop Saturday 6th June 10am – 1pm at Leominster Priory Church Pete Furniss will teach the script used in the Hereford Gospels to create a bookmark, and add Saxon decorative patterns. Fee includes ink, pen and holder to keep. Beginners welcome. Tickets £40 Booking essential Book in person at Leominster Information Centre, 11 Corn Square, Leominster, HR6 8YP, alternatively telephone to make a booking: 01568 616460 Book online through the Priory Arts website via Ticketsource £40 plus £3.36 booking fee. This workshop will first look at the general history of the Hereford Gospels and then study the script used in the manuscript. Attendees new to calligraphy will be introduced to the broad edged pen and practise the letter shapes of the alphabet used in the Hereford Gospels before moving on to writing short quotes and sentences using this script. The aim for the end of the day is to create a bookmark using one of these sentences written with the broad edged pen. For those more experienced in calligraphy, once they have mastered the script, they will use the script to produce a piece of work which may also include decoration inspired by the decorated pages in the Hereford Gospels.
'The Last Charge of the Vikings & the Last Abbess of Leominster' A talk at Leominster Priory Church, part of the month-long Programme of Events & Free Exhibition at Leominster Priory celebrating our Anglo-Saxon and Viking Heritage 27 May to 22 June 2026. 2nd June 6.00 pm in Leominster Priory Church A talk by author Paula Lofting Wilcox, explores the link between Leominster and the Godwinsons, leaders in an Anglo-Danish culture Tickets: £5 Book in person at Leominster Information Centre, 11 Corn Square, Leominster, HR6 8YP, alternatively telephone to make a booking: 01568 616460 Book online through the Priory Arts website via Ticketsource £5 plus booking fee. Paula Lofting has written historical novels set in the eleventh century in the years leading up to the Battle of Hastings. She also writes historical non-fiction. Her first foray into the genre of non-fiction is 'Searching for the Last Anglo-Saxon King', Harold Godwinson, England’s Golden Warrior
'The Crystal Sphere of the Herefordshire Hoard' on 28th May at 6.00 pm in Leominster Priory Church a 'Vikings at the Priory' talk. Darcy Holland (Regent’s Park College, Oxford) explores the meaning of these objects owned by elite women in Anglo-Saxon England, and Hilary Norris (Leominster Priory) reveals a new theory linking this exceptional treasure with Leominster Priory.’ Book online through the Priory Arts website via Ticketsource for £5 plus booking fee. Bookings can also be made in person at Leominster Information Centre, 11 Corn Square, Leominster, HR6 8YP, alternatively telephone to make a booking: 01568 616460.
'Vikings at The Priory' Guided Tours of Leominster Priory Church with Father Guy Cole. Wednesday 27 May 9am & 5.30pm Wednesday 3 June 9am & 5.30pm Thursday 11 June 6pm Wednesday 17 June 5.30pm This tour will look at innovative exhibition that is in The Priory Church from May 27th – June 22nd 2026. Book online through the Priory Arts website via Ticketsource for £5 plus booking fee. Bookings can also be made in person at Leominster Information Centre, 11 Corn Square, Leominster, HR6 8YP, alternatively phone to make a booking on 01568 616460.
Viking Activity Day on Thursday 28 May 10am - 4pm part of 'Vikings at The Priory'. A FREE open day for all ages to learn more about Anglo/Viking Herefordshire, Treasure, and the Herefordshire Hoard. A Hands-on History event suitable for all ages, drop-in between 10am & 4pm on the 28th May. This event will be delivered by Hereford Museums and Galleries as part of The Herefordshire Museums and Galleries Revealing Our Roots project. Refreshments available.
Vikings at The Priory! New programme leaflet is now available. Here's the full lowdown on all the events happening in May and June 2026. Viking Re-enactment weekend, Activity Day, Talks x5, Concerts x2, Organ Recital, Craft Days x2, Drama and Dance, Saxon Church Tour, Family Fun Day, Service and Exhibition Tours. Download the PDF from: https://infinityunlimited.co.uk/clients/vikings.pdf
TALK - ‘The Building of Viking Ships' on 26th May at 6.00pm in Leominster Priory, by Steven Etheridge, a member of Regia Anglorum. Steven will explain the technology and consequences of the Viking’s ships. Viking shipbuilding revolutionized global connectivity by introducing advanced, durable, and flexible shallow-draft vessels. Longships, often called ‘dragons’ because of the carved dragon or serpent heads on the prows, intended to intimidate enemies and ward off evil spirits, were a way to travel to another world, a bridge between the old world and the new. Visit the Priory Arts Website to book tickets for this talk (£5 + booking fee).
Although there is very little Anglo-Saxon architecture left in North Herefordshire and even less written word, Priory Arts are planning an adventure in the Herefordshire and Shropshire borders exploring out-of-the-way and little-known gems with Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Norman architecture. 12th June, 10am – 4pm ‘Tracing our Saxon Roots’ Fr Guy Cole and Neil Ramsay will lead a tour of five of Hereford Diocese’s best Saxon churches, starting at Leominster Priory. An adventure in the Herefordshire and Shropshire borders exploring out-of-the-way and little-known gems with Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Norman architecture. Through the tour the major features of Anglo-Saxon architecture will be explored, the historical background described and discuss whether Anglo-Saxon architecture ends with the Norman Conquest! Booking essential £30 including transport See the Priory Arts website for booking information and also to view all the events we are running. #anglo-saxon #vikings #churches

Priory Arts are a group of volunteers dedicated to bringing culture in its broadest sense to Leominster

Priory Arts is a sub committee of the PCC Charity Number: 1131837

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