On a crisp autumn day, Haffydown Class set off on an exciting school trip to the West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village in Suffolk. After a long journey filled with chatter and laughter on the coach, we finally arrived at this fascinating historical site, where we were transported back in time to the days of the Anglo-Saxons.
Our adventure began in the museum, where we were thrilled to handle real-life artefacts from the past, including ancient pottery, tools, and even replicas of everyday items used by the Anglo-Saxons. We were amazed at the craftsmanship and ingenuity of people who lived so long ago!
After exploring the museum, we enjoyed a lovely lunch outdoors, with the sun keeping us dry just long enough for us to sing Happy Birthday to Miss Maddock and share some delicious cupcakes! But just as we finished our celebrations, the weather took a turn, and the rain began to pour. That didn’t stop us, though! We ventured outside to meet the village’s resident pigs, Apple and Acorn, who were very happy to see us despite the wet weather.
Next, we explored the reconstructed Saxon village. Stepping inside the authentic wooden houses, we learned how the Anglo-Saxons lived. Our favourite house was the sunken house, with its sandy floor – we thought it would be so much fun to live there! Ben, our knowledgeable guide, answered all our curious questions as we sat in the hall where the Anglo-Saxons would gather to share their meals.
We were also fascinated to discover that the houses had runes on the doorframes, marking their purpose or names. The village itself had a pottery workshop, an oven area, and was built near the river, which played an important role in the community’s trade and daily life.
Our trip’s highlight? Learning about the Anglo-Saxon toilet pit! It was definitely a memorable moment that made us giggle!
By the time we headed back to school, we were all drenched, but the rain only added to the excitement of the day. On the coach ride home, we sang songs, shared stories, and many of us drifted off to sleep, tired but happy after such an unforgettable experience.
A big thank you to Ben and all the staff at West Stow for making our day so special. We can’t wait for our next adventure!



