IF you want to experience a day of sieges, jousting and medieval history then a visit to Berkeley Castle this weekend is the ideal day out.

On Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 6pm in the setting of the 850-year-old Berkeley Castle there will be medieval mayhem and jousting.

Each day there will be a packed programme included armoured knights battling for possession of the castle, colourful all-action jousting and booming cannon displays.

There will be an archery display and competition and a Medieval Learning Zone with talks on medieval fashion, medicine and arts and crafts. As well as the action there is a living history village and memento's from the day can be bought from the many arts and crafts stalls around the field.

Life is recreated as it was hundreds of years ago and as guests people are invited to enter houses, ponder and pry.

There is even a chance to get involved - sharpen your sword skills in the Knights Challenge Area and brush up on your longbow techniques with Have a go Archery.

In the Children's Kingdom children can train to be knights of the realm and try their own Have a go Archery.

There is also face painting, story telling, a bouncy castle and pony rides. A new addition to the joust is the Medieval World Zone where the guest culture is Japan and the mighty Samurai featuring amazing displays of Yabusame - the ancient sport of horseback archery.

The festival ticket also allows entry into Berkeley Castle so if medieval life gets too much you can escape to the castle. The castle is located off Junctions 13 and 14 on the M5.

Adult tickets cost £12 and children between four and 14 are £5, under fours are free, OAPs £11 and a family ticket, two adults and two children, £30. Helen Roberts