Step Into History with Padraig’s Historical Workshops & Exhibitions
Bring the past to life with our award-winning, interactive workshops and exhibitions—where learning meets adventure! Perfect for schools, museums, festivals, and community events. Our immersive experiences spark curiosity, deepen knowledge, and create unforgettable memories for all ages.
Led by a passionate historian with 20+ years of educational expertise. Each workshop is a hands-on journey through time—complete with captivating storytelling, real and authentic replicas, including a costumed guide who make history leap off the page!
Our interactive sessions brings history to life while meeting curriculum standards – the perfect blend of education and excitement!
Why Choose Us?
Tailored for EYFS, KS1, and KS2.
GCSE Historical Medicine.
Ideal indoor & outdoor events.
SEN-inclusive – Adapted for all learning styles and needs.
DBS-checked – Your safety and trust come first.
Flexible & mobile – We come to you.
Our Time-Traveling Topics Include:
- Handle authentic replica artifacts to connect with the past.
- Try on real Armor and feel its weight, texture and construction.
- Train in shield wall formations like true historical warriors.
- Discover the daily lives of Anglo-Saxon and Viking warriors
- Storytelling tales from the sagas and myths of the Anglo-Saxons.
2 – Gladiators of Northern England Workshop: Step into the sandals of a Roman gladiator and discover the real story of combat in northern Britain and the famous gladiator cemetery in York! In this action-packed 60-minute workshop, pupils will:
- Explore the fascinating world of gladiators who fought in the arenas of Roman Britain.
- They will take part in gladiator training, learning basic combat moves with safe, replica equipment.
- Using replica artefacts and hands-on activities, children will learn about the different types of gladiators (both men and women), their weapons, armour and what life was like for these ancient warriors.
- Animal fights, gladiators sometimes faced wild beasts and physical evidence of such combats has been discovered in northern Britain.
For Community Groups (HAF /Fun & Food and community events).
Hideous History workshop Dive deeper into history with our extended 2.5 hour workshops or an all day display featuring:
- Hands-on exploration of real medical artifacts.
- Intensive shield wall training.
- Period Games.
- A selection of crafts.
- Gripping saga storytelling.
Historical Medicine Indoor/outdoor Exhibitions, GCSE Class or Workshops:
Gruesome History: 2 hour workshop or an all day display.
Step Back in Time: Georgian Military Medicine and discover the harsh realities and groundbreaking practices of the 18th-century British military and naval medicine in this fully immersive, authentic exhibition.
- Explore the tools, techniques and challenges faced by battlefield surgeons, including the sights (and smells!) of historical treatments.
- Witness a live demonstration of period-accurate surgery—not for the faint-hearted!
- See and handle the tools of the trade as we discuss how operations were performed.
- Dare you volunteer for traditional dentist check-up?
- Let us discuss the main Illnesses and Diseases that plagued that period.
- Create your own scares and pox!
- Medicine making.
- Accompanied by a splendid and astounding array of antique medical and surgical items.
Myths & Monsters and Yuletide Storytelling
Spooky storytelling for Halloween or Yule festivities.
Join us for a magical festive treat as we delve into the age-old tradition of celebrating Yule for festive stories with the Holly King.
All activities can be adapted for festivals, schools (other FE establishments) and themed events indoor or outdoor bookings available.
That’s not all!! Padraig’s also offer more activities!
Encouraging teens and tweens to get off their screens.
The water Purification challenge!
Imagine you were out on a hike with a group of children, but got lost! All you had to rely on were your own skills to survive.
Within this fun outdoor/indoor workshop, Tweens and Teens will learned how to make a water filter from natural materials that they might find in their local area ( including how to use a water discarded bottle). They will transform dirty water into clear water.
It is a fun, educational and messy survival activity for all ages, but do remember that, even though you may have purified your water, the water needs boiling before it can be considered safe to drink in an emergency situation (which they hopefully will never find themselves in.
Bite Sized Static Exhibitions For Museums and Galleries etc.
Enhance your museum with an authentic, immersive mini exhibition. Each display is carefully curated to bring history to life through both real and replica artefacts along with fun and factual interpretation signage.
1- Anglo-Saxon Camp View a living history camp featuring the UK’s only known full‑sized replica of a travelling wagon. This remarkable centrepiece is surrounded by an authentic tented encampment, complete with domestic items, tools, weapons and textiles. Visitors can explore daily life, from craftwork to storytelling and gain a true sense of how early medieval people lived, travelled and traded.
2- Historical Medicine Exhibition Step into the world of Georgian surgery and remedy. This mini exhibition showcases a range of authentic replica tools used by 18th‑century doctors, alongside a fully staged operation scene featuring an example of an early operating table. From amputation saws to bloodletting instruments, visitors will discover the gory realities of medicine before anaesthetics. A fascinating (and slightly chilling) glimpse into the past, perfect for curious minds of all ages.
For all exhibition booking enquiries please submit the form below and we'll get back to you.
