From your first step onto the grounds to the final lighting of the Four Farthings Cup.
The Heart of the Festival
At the centre of everything is the greatest friendly rivalry in The Shire — a series of traditional Hobbit folk games contested across the full festival by players representing their Farthing.
Known for their tenacity and love of a hearty contest.
Bold, spirited, and never short of something to say.
Quiet determination and surprising bursts of brilliance.
Warm, clever, and perpetually convinced they'll win.
Before the World Opens
Arrive a day early and ease yourself in — so that when the game begins, you're ready.
Optional Arrival
Why begin your journey sitting down? Join our guided arrival hike through the surrounding countryside and make your entrance In-Game on foot.
Learn About the Arrival Hike →Learn the dances of The Shire — jigs, reels, and circle dances. No experience needed, just willing feet.
🕙 Morning & AfternoonLearn to prepare traditional Hobbit fare — hearty pies, seed cakes, and second breakfast staples.
🕙 Morning SessionA hands-on introduction to weaving, spinning, and simple fibre crafts.
🕑 Afternoon SessionNever LARPed before? This friendly session covers in-game etiquette and how to play your Hobbit with confidence.
🕑 Afternoon SessionThe Night Before It All Begins
An evening of live music, dancing, good drink, and a welcome speech to set the spirit for the Event ahead.
Once the World Opens
No two days at Brandywine are the same — but every day has a natural, unhurried rhythm.
Wake to birdsong and woodsmoke. Early risers will find quiet magic in the morning mist.
Food vendors open early. Linger over breakfast and plan your strategy for the day's Games.
Physical contests, tests of skill, and Hobbit folk challenges held across the grounds.
The storyline continues, quests unfold, and in-game workshops run alongside the Games.
The day's Games are done. The tavern fills with laughter, boasting, and spirited debate.
The stages come alive. Folk sets, fiddle sessions, and open dancing under the stars.
Stories shared, songs sung quietly, and the sky above filled with stars.
The Four Farthing Games
A mix of physical challenges and tests of skill, rooted in the traditions of Hobbit folk culture.
Traditional Hobbit target games of precision and patience.
Sprints, relays, and course challenges across the festival grounds.
Tests of Hobbit wit and wisdom. Knowledge of The Shire and its customs gives the edge.
Stone carrying, balance trials, and feats of Hobbit endurance. Deceptively tough.
A multi-stage team challenge — the most dramatic event of the Games.
Announced on the morning of the final day. No one knows what it will be. Everything can change.
Daily In-Game Workshops
Woven through every in-game day — workshops run entirely in-character, all part of the living world of The Shire.
Daily guided sessions — from beginner jigs to the more elaborate evening reels.
Spinning, weaving, and textile crafts. Take your work back to your tent.
In-world cooking demonstrations and hands-on sessions with tastings.
Sketching, watercolour, and folk illustration in a relaxed, in-character setting.
A guided walk and in-world talk on the plants and growing things of The Shire.
Learn a new tune, join a chorus, or listen in as musicians share their craft.
Gather round to hear — and tell — the tales of The Shire.
Make something to take home: candles, simple pottery, pressed botanicals.
When the Sun Goes Down
The nights at Brandywine are something special. Slower, warmer, and lit by firelight.
Every evening features live folk, fiddle, and acoustic performances.
Open dancing under the stars — first-timers always welcome.
Unstructured and unmissable. Gather around a fire and let the conversation go.
For those camping on site, the night is part of the experience.
Ready for All of This?
Every moment of this programme is waiting for you. Places are strictly limited.