Families looking for a big outdoor day out over the first Bank Holiday weekend in May will be able to step back into the Middle Ages as medieval jousting returns to Stonor Park and Tumblestone Hollow from Saturday 2 to Monday 4 May. Stonor’s official event page says the weekend will once again feature the Knights of Royal England, with jousting, falconry, archery and axe-throwing alongside access to the adventure playground, gardens and house.
The event takes place at Stonor Park, near Henley-on-Thames, on the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire border. Stonor’s official “Find Us” page says the estate is about 10 minutes north of Henley, roughly 40 minutes from Oxford, and near the B480 between the M4 and M40. The nearest railway station is Henley-on-Thames, with taxis available from the station.
What visitors can expect
Stonor says the Bank Holiday event will centre on live jousting tournaments, with riders charging into the arena for what it describes as a display of “skill, strength and precision”. Between the main tournaments, visitors will also be able to watch falconry displays and try medieval-themed activities including archery and axe-throwing.
Tickets also include access to Tumblestone Hollow, Stonor’s large adventure playground, which offers slides, tunnels, zip wires, climbing areas and a toddler zone. Stonor says entry for the weekend also covers the house and gardens, making it more of a full-site day out than a single arena event.
How much tickets cost
According to organisers, entry to the medieval jousting weekend costs:
- £14.50 for adults
- £15.50 for children aged five and over
- £13.45 for children aged three to four
Family tickets are also available at £40 for a family of three or £50 for a family of four. Organisers say there will be an additional charge for archery and axe-throwing. Free parking is included.
A family day out with food, dress-up and prizes
As well as the jousting and playground, Stonor says visitors will find food and drink across the day, including hog roast, wood-fired pizzas, burgers, fries and a pop-up beer tent. Organisers are also encouraging children to arrive in costume, with young visitors invited into the arena after each jousting tournament for a prize if they come dressed in their best medieval outfit.
Louisa Fifield, general manager at Stonor Park, said the event had become one of the estate’s most popular weekends and marked the start of its wider summer programme.
Useful details before you go
The event is being promoted as family-friendly, but there are a few practical details readers may want to know before booking. Stonor’s accessibility guidance says Tumblestone Hollow is set in natural woodland on uneven ground on the side of a hill, and while some areas may be accessible for wheelchair users, it can involve challenging manoeuvring. The same guidance notes that dogs are not allowed within Tumblestone Hollow, the gardens or Stonor House, although assistance dogs are welcome.
For visitors planning to explore the wider estate, Stonor’s official accessibility page says the house itself is not suitable for wheelchairs, as it is formed from historic buildings on different levels, although chairs are positioned at intervals for people to rest.
At a glance
| Detail | Information |
| Event | Medieval Jousting at Stonor Park and Tumblestone Hollow |
| Dates | Saturday 2 May to Monday 4 May 2026 |
| Location | Stonor Park, near Henley-on-Thames, RG9 6HF |
| Includes | Jousting, falconry, Tumblestone Hollow, house and gardens |
| Extra-charge activities | Archery and axe-throwing |
| Adult ticket | £14.50 |
| Child ticket (5+) | £15.50 |
| Child ticket (3–4) | £13.45 |
| Family tickets | £40 for 3 / £50 for 4 |
| Parking | Free |
| Nearest station | Henley-on-Thames |
For Oxfordshire readers, the appeal is obvious: the event combines live spectacle, outdoor play and heritage in one of the county’s best-known country estates, within easy reach of Oxford, Henley and surrounding market towns. It is also one of the more distinctive family events on the local Bank Holiday calendar, particularly for those wanting something more immersive than a standard fair or trail.
FAQs
When is the medieval jousting weekend at Stonor Park?
The event runs from Saturday 2 May to Monday 4 May 2026.
What is included in the ticket?
Stonor says tickets include access to the jousting event, Tumblestone Hollow adventure playground, Stonor House and the gardens.
Is Stonor Park easy to reach from Oxford?
Yes. Stonor says the estate is around 40 minutes from Oxford by road and about 10 minutes north of Henley-on-Thames.
Is the event suitable for younger children?
Yes. Organisers describe it as family-friendly, and the wider site includes Tumblestone Hollow with a dedicated younger children’s area.
Are dogs allowed?
Not in Tumblestone Hollow, the gardens or Stonor House. Assistance dogs are welcome.
