Do you think modern life is rubbish? Long for a time of chivalry, adventure and painful disfiguring diseases? Then journey back to the Middle Ages, when women wore conical hats and men were so hard they ate whole goats raw (without a napkin). Joust is the UK's largest medieval festival, held in the authentically feudal surroundings of Gloucestershire's Berkeley Castle. Expect to encounter gallant knights, ethereal maidens and people with leprosy during its two weekends of 'mediaeval mayhem'. Check out these pictures from 2004: Gallery 1 
Gallery 2
Gallery 3
Gallery 4
The annual event features large-scale battle re-enactments, longbow displays, wandering minstrels (presumably of the musical, not chocolate, variety) and - of course - jousting. If the nearest you've come to glorious battle is giving a dirty look to the person who nicked your parking space at the supermaket, this is the perfect chance to don some chain mail and discover your inner Galahad. Meanwhile little knightlets can enjoy wound painting, story telling and the not-terribly-PC 'pelt the peasant'. Inspiration Ticket price also includes entry to 12th-century Berkeley Castle, where King Edward II was dispatched by a creatively-used red hot poker. The castle is also believed to have been the inspiration for A Midsummer Night's Dream. Joust at Berkeley is located 10 minutes from Junctions 13 and 14 on the M5. Free parking is available for festival-goers. | Joust 2005 | | Venue | Berkeley Castle, Gloucestershire | | Date | Saturday 23rd / Sunday 24th & Saturday 30th / Sunday 31st July | | Info | Joust | | Ticket prices | GATE: / Adult: £12 / Child (4-14): £5 / Under 4: Free / OAP: £11 / Family (2 adults & 2 children): £30
ADVANCE: Adult: £10 / Child (4-14): £4 / Under 4: Free |
| 
