Beth Doherty
English Heritage has joined forces with award-winning author Cressida Cowell for a spellbinding family day out.
The author’s bestselling Wizards of Once series is the inspiration for a brand new Halloween trail at both Stonehenge and Old Sarum from 23rd-31st October 2021.
Set in a fantastical, ancient Britain, the Wizards of Once books are full of wizards, warriors, witches, giants and sprites – and are packed with thrilling adventure. The challenges of Xar, a wizard boy with no magic, and Wish, a warrior girl with a magical secret, have inspired the English Heritage quests, created in partnership with Cressida Cowell. Young adventurers must discover clues, solve riddles, and find all the ingredients for a magic spell. Successful explorers will be rewarded with a magical prize.
Cressida Cowell comments, “I am incredibly excited and inspired by the past. When I was little I was very lucky to be taken to a lot of historic places and museums, and it started me thinking ‘what would it have been like to have lived back in those times?’
“I really hope the Quest will bring everything alive for children and do what these historic places did for me when I was a child. I hope it will spark their imaginations and get them thinking about writing their own stories about these amazing places“.
James Rodliff, English Heritage’s Operations Manager for Stonehenge said, “From mysterious standing stones to legends of haunted abbeys, the sites and stories of ancient Britain have inspired writers for centuries. The Wizards of Once brings a magical version of England’s early history to life for a whole new generation, and we can’t wait to welcome families to Stonehenge and Old Sarum this half term“.
The fun will continue with prizes to be won for the best fancy dress! Come dressed to impress and upload your picture to social media @EnglishHeritage for a chance to win.
Find out more here.
Andy Munns
