Festival

Child Health and Development

Shopping Event

Music, Dance & Drama

Music & Singing

Concert

Shropshire

The Happier Festival is returning to Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings on Saturday 1 August 2026.

Join in on Shropshire's happiest day - for those looking to find their people, find their joy, and feel at home!

Discover a carefully curated line up of small businesses, creatives, clubs, communities and wellbeing offerings right on your Shropshire doorstep, and delve into activities, classes, boutique shopping and great conversation. With live music, free experiences throughout, and some of the best local food our county has to offer - you'll be sure to have an uplifting and truly happy day out.

BOOK YOUR TICKETS FOR HAPPIER FESTIVAL

Happier Festival At Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings

Gainsborough Old Hall's medieval beginnings deserve a celebration of all things medieval. Join us at the Hall throughout May for activities and events highlighting this turbulent, transformative and fascinating period in history when the Hall was built!

For up-to-date activities and timings, please check our Facebook page.

These events are included with your admission which you can book in advance below. Members go free.

Every day - Medieval trail and activities

A family-friendly trail and activity sheets are available for free for visitors to take with them round the Hall. See if you can finish them and earn a stamp or a sticker! Collect from the visitor desk on entry.

Every Saturday, 2pm - Medieval Feasting spotlight talk

Enjoy a fascinating 15-20 minute interactive talk by Caroline, one of our knowledgeable volunteers, on feasting in the Medieval period. It was quite different from how the Hollywood films depict it - etiquette rather than raucousness ruled the day! Free with entry, suitable for all ages.

Every Sunday, 1pm - Medieval Graffiti Tours

Join one of Rick's captivating tours as he shows you the plethora of medieval graffiti on the Hall's walls. Nods to royalty, protection marks and stonemason marks abound - see if you can spot any new ones! Free with entry, suitable for all ages. Tours last about one hour.

Monday 25th May, from 10am - Medieval Music & Dance Workshop

de Mowbray's Musicke return by popular demand to deliver their brilliantly fun music and dance workshop! Learn about medieval entertaining, instruments, dance and song with Peter and Kate. Free with entry, suitable for all ages and abilities.

Dates TBC - Medieval Crafts

Come along to one of our free crafting sessions to make a medieval-inspired trinket to take home! See dates and timings on our Facebook page.

Medieval May At Gainsborough Old Hall

Enjoy the fresh air, pleasant surroundings, and community spirit of Marble Hill with our weekly Community Walk. The experience is led by our volunteers and is free to attend with no pre-booking requirement.

Meet outside the Coach House Café.

Community Walk At Marble Hill

Join a community of crafters for a weekly knit and natter in the Coach House Cafe at Marble Hill.

We’re a friendly and encouraging group, who work on our own independent projects alongside each other.

Open to all adult ages and abilities.

There is no booking required. For more details please contact chloe.cooke@english-heritage.org.uk

Knitting Group At Marble Hill

Join us at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings for free family workshops this May half-term.

Sashiko Workshop with Anthea Renshaw

Tuesday 26 May, 10am to 2pm

Join artist, Anthea Renshaw as she explores English Maytime folklore and stories combined with the art of Japanese stitching to make your very own Sashiko coaster or bookmark to take home with you.

There is no need to book, just drop in. Sashiko making is aimed at those 7 and above, but for under 7s can make their own Aida cloth to take home with them. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Cats and Dragons Puppet Making

Wednesday 27 May 10am to 3pm

Thursday 28 May 10am to 3pm

Cats and dragons both feature as a big part of the Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings story. Join us this May half term to find out why. Create your own cat and dragon paper puppets to take home. This is suitable for all ages. All children must be accompanied by an adult. There is no need to book, just drop in.

You can also visit the Mill exhibition which is open all week at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, 10am to 5pm, last admission is at 4pm. There is also a brand new dragon trail to follow within the exhibition space too. If you would like to visit the exhibition, please book in advance to save 15%, or pay for your admission on the day. Members go free.

May Half Term Workshops At Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings

Visit our kitchen garden, where we have a selection of fresh produce for sale. All produce is grown by our volunteer kitchen gardeners, and proceeds support our beautiful house and gardens.

Expect to find fresh vegetables, cut flowers, and other seasonal produced.

Our Kitchen Garden is in the northeast corner of the park, by the sports block.

Card payments only.

This event is weather dependant and might be called off in short notice.

If you have any questions, please email our Senior Gardener: Harrison.Hulatt@english-heritage.org.uk

The Kitchen Garden At Marble Hill

Come to Marble Hill on every second Friday of every month, from March - December 2026 and learn about our trees and the work we've done to allow them to thrive.

Our expert volunteer guides will lead you around Marble Hill Park, showing you our magnificent and varied collection of trees.

This is a free tour and no booking is required. Please meet your guide outside the Coach House Café.

Guided Tree Tours At Marble Hill

Join us at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings as we host Spotlight Indie Live.

Spotlight Indie Live is a free to attend one-day celebration of indie fantasy, science fiction, horror and speculative fiction, art and storytelling, created for aspiring writers, fiction fans and independent creatives.

Attendees can expect a full day of panels and discussions exploring story craft and writing techniques designed to help bring fictional worlds to life. Writers will have the opportunity to gain practical advice on writing and publishing from our speakers, which include award-winning authors, publishers, editors, audio producers and bloggers.

For book lovers, Spotlight Indie Live offers the chance to discover and meet indie creators directly. The traders’ market will feature signed books, merchandise and original artwork, while facilitated Q&A sessions give audiences the opportunity to ask our speakers about their work. Plus, Spellbound Immersive Productions will bring works of fiction to life with live performances throughout the day.

Hosted by the incomparable Joel, aka the Shropshire DM, Spotlight Indie Live is the place to discover the joy of independent creativity - and your next favourite read.

FIND OUR MORE ABOUT SPOTLIGHT INDIE LIVE 

Event highlights include:

Panels and talks for writers of fantasy, science fiction, horror and speculative fiction

Practical advice on writing, indie publishing and the creative process

Insights from award-winning authors and industry professionals

Live performances by Spellbound Immersive Productions

Traders’ market featuring signed books, merchandise and artwork

Facilitated Q&A sessions with authors and creators

A friendly, inclusive space for writers, readers and indie creatives

Spotlight Indie Live At Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings

A top-secret message has gone missing at Beeston Castle and Woodland Park – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%

Mystery Mission At Beeston Castle And Woodland Park

A top-secret message has gone missing at Pendennis Castle – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%.

Mystery Mission At Pendennis Castle

A top-secret message has gone missing at Dover Castle – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%

Mystery Mission At Dover Castle

A top-secret message has gone missing at Eltham Palace and Gardens – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%

Mystery Mission At Eltham Palace And Gardens

A top-secret message has gone missing at Wrest Park – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%.

Mystery Mission At Walmer Castle And Gardens

Mystery Mission At Wrest Park

A top-secret message has gone missing at Audley End House and Gardens – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%

Mystery Mission At Audley End House And Gardens

A top-secret message has gone missing at Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%.

Mystery Mission At Kenilworth Castle

A top-secret message has gone missing at Carisbrooke Castle – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%

Mystery Mission At Carisbrooke Castle

A top-secret message has gone missing at Bolsover Castle – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%

Mystery Mission At Bolsover Castle

English Heritage

English Heritage cares for over 400 historic buildings, monuments and sites - from world-famous prehistoric sites to grand medieval castles, from Roman forts on the edges of the empire to a Cold War bunker. 

Through these, we bring the story of England to life for over 10 million people each year. 

Happier Festival At Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings

English Heritage

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