Camlann Medieval Village

My friend and I visited during the summer «festival». We had been unable to get tickets to the feast (sold out) and in retrospect I am so, so glad that we missed it. The village was cute and bigger than I thought. There weren’t that many performers/​actors/​craftspeople as I had been expecting for a festival, or very many activities for that matter, but the people who were seemed to know their stuff. The armored fighting was only on one day, so we missed that to our disappointment. The local «scribe» was funny and lively and a few others quite informative. However, I found most of the staff uniformly unpleasant. Not just in character – I received several flat, and sometimes down right rude responses to various inquiries. Most of them acted weary and irritated by any sort of questions. The potter (who was also helping with the archery) was chatty and friendly however. We did manage to get in to the restaurant in the village, after waiting 20 or 30 minutes. The proprietor, who I am beginning to think must have been the owner, had a very strange and brusque demeanor – again, not as part of a character, just oddly rude and off-​putting to us and others. Our meal was hit and miss. The hard cider was excellent and served in awesome pewter mugs that I would have loved to buy. The food – «pottage”– was a bowl of root vegetables in broth with a couple of slices of bread for trenchers, to be shared among two people. Since they were not using salt, the food was rather bland. The cheese and apples were delicious. We ordered a dessert to split and were given a tiny bowl about two inches across – which was half filled with some bread pudding. About a bite a piece. At least the food and drinks came cheap. After reading descriptions of past «feasts» I entirely believe the poor experience of other guests. I’m not sorry we went, but I won’t be going back either. I think they have a great layout for a really cool attraction, but it’s just not being managed especially well.

I love this place! Everyone that works/​volunteers here takes it really seriously. The grounds are nice and there is enough to check out for an hour or two during festivals. Archery was my favorite activity, the sheep love to get some attention from visitors, and the Fletcher (I don’t think he is always there) had a cool walk through of the different types of arrowheads.
The restaurant has decent food and service. Stay for the quips about your ‘strange modern items’ and a light education on how dining was during the era. With that, you shouldn’t expect them to have the same style service as a modern restaurant — they are more interested in role playing to than catering to your every need. I would recommend they lighten up on their drinking restrictions — the inn keep told us that you had to eat in order to be served mead or wine; we were with a large group and some of us had already eaten pastis from the outdoor food stand but were only able to order juice inside. Seems an unusual restriction considering it is a medieval theme, where I image the goblets were larger and more free flowing ;)
Overall its a gem and definitely worth a visit!

If you want authentic, this is your place. Roger, the owner, has brought a time period of history to us. I’ve been going for years and love it! From the Bors Hede to the Banquets to the Festivals you’ll feel like you’re in medieval times.

Terrible!!!
We bought the Feast tickets and ran late so take part in the Festival… so no review there.
You are crammed on a wood picnic bench shoulder to shoulder with the people next to you. VERY UNCOMFORTABLE after approx. 2.5 hours! Then a strange man comes out and cuts rounds of bread for you to use as your plate. Were his hands clean? I don’t want to know!!! He warns you not to eat the said bread– as you will have no plate. The heat was going up in the room and thirst was needing to be quenched– yet NOTHING to drink. Approx 30 minutes later the 1^st course arrives– One Shrimp; Two slices of apple, A spoonful of some nutty chicken/​pork thing, some nasty egg tart thing and an 11^th (Yes– an 11^th) of a side of salmon (most likely chum) and a few leaves of salad… This was all passed from one person– with not many utensils and people were using their hands to get their food! 10 minutes later you are offered 5oz of Hard Cider or Spiced Juice… that’s it… 5oz!!! I would have paid for a full glass??? Soon three people are singing and playing a guitar? Not festive in any way shape or form. The serving vessels are then cleared and 5oz of water is then served– however he used one pitcher to fill 45 people and had to leave to refill it 6 – 8 times… only 5oz allowed each… Then the 2^nd course arrived after people were eating their bread plates. Nothing more to wash your hands with that you have been eating with… and to top it off … now you are expected to carve a GOOSE and take your 15^th portion and pass on to the next person!!! NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN THIS WAY!!! DISGUSTING!!! 10 minutes into this course. you are offer 5 oz of Ale (beer) or Spiced juice… This course included brown creamy slop; cream creamy slop, 1 slice of pair and 2 cubes of cheese, 1 clove of boiled garlic and your bit of goose and a NASTY ball of gooey gingerbread!!! They then sang another song and dismissed us… I wanted to go hours ago… We went home to have dinner… GROSS!!! Don’t waste you time or money!

Visited their Festival and Feast today. Tickets were $ 45 and had to be mailed in by check… They haven’t discovered computers yet (Square, Paypal, etc). Why mail tickets when they can just be «Will Call» since you can’t just show up unannounced. Odd…
I’ve nothing noteworthy to say about the festival except don’t bother. The little festival was not worth the drive out from Seattle for less than the most forgiving, die hard renaissance fan. Also, bring cash. The entry fee is not all inclusive and you’re given no activity tokens (as few activities as there are) as part of entry.
As for the meal, the timing was off all the way. They don’t serve water outright. The first liquid (wine or grape juice) came out a good while after the first six dishes were hand-​me-​down distributed down the table, and half consumed. Thank god nobody choked. It’s not like there’s water to save em.
No complains per say about the food except I have an odd feeling about calling one shrimp a ‘course’ and other such tiny winy portion sizes. Granted, I was full at the end but that plate of bread is there to fill the gap in portion sizes.
There was no background music during each of the 2 rounds of food. There was a short song trailing the first round of food (of 2 rounds) and at the end right before we’re basically told to leave. Otherwise, it’s a basement with no ambient sound.
Our plates ½ cuts of round bread wedges. I didn’t mind that. It’s quirky.
The fun I had came from the fine company of my friends. I would think a few tweaks to their dinning experience would make the place more enjoyable:
1. Serve water. Offer refills of said water.
2. Background music. It’s OK if it’s from a speaker due to lack of a lute player mid-​meal. Even better, have someone play an old tavern tune during the meal.
3. Take paypal or something. Writing checks is so 20^th century.
4. Big one here. DON’T LIST THE FEAST @ 6PM ON YOUR WEB SITE AND EXPECT PEOPLE TO BE THERE AT 5PM!
Overall the web site needs work. As a non-​profit they should be able to rangle up someone from a college or university to work on that thing for cheap/​free as a school project.

Very cool place. The people there are fantastic in character and the village looks just like old England. We learned some things about how people really lived and made things in the late 1300’s. A guy who really knew his stuff with a sword teaching lessons. An archery range, blacksmith, many other fun and educational buildings.
Everything would be perfect but I felt a little gouged.
Dinner was $ 108 for 2 kids 2 adults, 2 drinks per adult (before tip). Small thingy of mead and some just ok beer, couple of glasses of cheap wine. Seemed quite high for what you get which is well appropriate food for that time period, pretty dry but fun. A lute player entertains who has a pretty good voice and is in character which is nice.
Something like $ 36 for admission and $ 1-​$ 5 here and there throughout with their coin. Seems like the locals have some inside deal, felt like one of the 20 – 30 people there that were paying full price, perhaps not.
Overall though it was a fun experience for the kids and I and I would go back. perhaps avoid the dinner next time.

In theory, this should be a wonderful, educational experience. One should leave Camlann with at least a basic understanding of life in a Medieval English village. Sorry, but didn’t walk out of there having had much of an experience at all. An educational experience hinges greatly on the availability of a teacher, and if the teacher doesn’t show up for class, the student must learn to use the materials on his own. Our family visit to Camlann was a disappointment, because the teacher didn’t show. What appeared to be demonstration booths were mostly empty. For $ 36 we watched a blacksmith for a few minutes, and about 30 minutes of a sword combat exhibition. Camlann, your attention to historiical accuarcy is admirable. Medival villages would probably not be heavily populated (even during summer «festival») and there is a slownesss to this time period that might leave the modern visitor hoping for a little more action. But was everyone out with the plague? Really guys, hit up some WA univ history majors for summer stints and call it an internship. The parking lot was more staffed than the viillage. I’d say throw two of the three teenage parking lot attendants into tights, and add them to the village mix. The concept of renting costumes was comical. Like dressing up for a party that wasn’t going to happen. Not worth the cost.

Camlann is a living history museum. Lots to see & do. Entrance is $ 10 for adults. And you need to buy tokens (they have another name for them) in increments of $ 1, $ 5, and $ 10 for archery & other purchases.
There is a blacksmith, musicians, puppet show, knights who joust (sp?), candle making, archery and more.
The restaurant is a bit on the pricey side but amusing. Food was so-​so. We had a ground beef dish with strawberries. Custard for dessert. Fruits & cheese for an app.
Quite an entertaining medieval village!

I and a friend road tripped up to Carnation, land of dairy cows, hoping to find something to do. We happened upon Camlann (thanks Google). Unfortunately, you need an ahead of time appointment, and they’re only open Tues-​Sun, from 5 – 8.
So, anyway, we got a reservation for a different time, and after a day of hiking headed into the village, ready for some Medieval English food, whatever that meant.
LOVED it. We were greeted by «Roger» who had the perfect accent, and period responses ready from the get-​go. It seem as though they do big festivals, and although their restaurant is regularly open, we were the only customers. We were seated next to a warm fireplace with a real fire, and spot-​on décor. We decided later we wanted to come back and explore the grounds when we had more time.
The meal was thematic, and consisted of courses. For the price (about $ 20 each), we received 3 courses, as well as entertainment (Yes, «Roger» played the lute and sang). Before they fed us, Roger brought out linens for our hands, and scented water to wash away the dirt from our horses (thematic, remember?). He brought us the most delicious beverages (extra, but worth it). Friend had the hard cider, I had the (virgin) spiced juice of the grapes.
The first course was this amazing crusty bread that was filled with some sort of herb butter and currants. Then came the second course, a fruit, cheese, and herb platter. We had pear and apple, with a 2 hunks of Medieval English cheeses (which we’ll go with, since I can’t recall the names), and this almond fritter thingie that was to DIE for. Think almond butter rolled up with a bit of flour and cooked. The herbs and greens had a light vinaigrette that was delicious.
Now I need to talk about the Trenchers. Rather than giving silverware and plates, we were given Trenchers to «eat upon.» Thus, the trencher, a large round crust of bread, WAS oet plate. We were down with edible dinnerware.
Next we had our main course. Friend got the fish and fruit pot pie (I was jealous, handmade crust looked perfect-can’t eat figs which were in the pie, so stared longingly, and might have whimpered a bit). I got the salmon in hazelnut sauce. Truthfully, the salmon was a bit overdone for me, but combined with the buttered worst, was able to consume it.
Dessert was extra and we were so full, we passed. Although the spiced plums in cloves did sound delectable. I’d say we’ll go back this summer and check out a festival. Perhaps we’ll find some sort of Lancelot to join us for the next meal.
Oh, and take cash or a checkbook. Roger doesn’t take credit cards.

I will never go back to this place! We recently attended the Yule Christmas dinner and I called up to ask if a member of our party’s special dietary needs could be accomodated. I was assured that they could be accomodated without a problem. I was told that dishes made with butter could be made with olive oil instead. I was told that substitutions could be make for some of the dishes.
Nothing was further from the truth! Food is served family style. For most items, a small bowl of food is provided and then passed along to approximately 12 other people. You are told to think of your neighbors when taking your serving so you don’t get more than a spoonful of most items in order to make sure everyone gets some of each course.
While the rest of us were served 12 courses, the member with special needs was served all of four courses. Keep in mind, however, she had to share these items with a DOZEN or so others so she didn’t get much to eat. She went home famished! I wrote a letter to ask for a partial refund. It just didn’t see right to be charged full price and be given such a small portion of food compared to everyone else even though I was assured they would accomodate her. Silly me for believing that meant she’d be provided with a reasonable amount of food.
Roger from the organization called me up and said they don’t give refunds. He then told me that this whole situation was OUR fault. First, he claimed she was given FIVE courses, then he claimed SIX, then he claimed she’d back one of the dishes (she didn’t). Then he claimed she should have made a stink during the dinner (REALLY?). Then he blamed me for misunderstanding him.
The conversation was pointless. Roger talked over me every time I started speaking. He was a bully in every sense of the word. He kept insisting that nothing was their fault. He seemed very focused on assigning blame and I kept pointing out that he wasn’t letting me speak at all. He then blamed the member of our party for her special needs and said she couldn’t expect to be accomodated! In looking back on the whole experience, it sure seems that they were eager to make promises to get you to spend your money more than they were interested in making sure patrons were satisfied.
Perhaps because they are a non-​profit, Camlann Village doesn’t feel that treating a patron with respect and courtesy is a requirement. Instead, Roger was so concerned about being blamed and finding someone — ANYONE — to assign fault to that he wasn’t interested in my concerns in the least. We only asked for a partial refund and I was treated like I was trying to rip them off.
Well, this is a perfect example of winning the battle but losing the war. I have a charitable foundation that gives money to non-​profits and you can be sure that not only will I never spend another cent in Camlann Village, I will tell all of my friends how we were treated.
Go here at your own risk. This group isn’t interested in being reasonable or fair or even listening to your concerns. Once they have your money, they couldn’t care less if you were happy or not. We weren’t grumbling that the food was bad. We just felt it was unfair to charge $ 45 for a few spoonfuls of broccoli, salad, and almond pudding while everyone else was given so much more.
What a terrible taste this has left in our mouths. Roger, especially, was a rude, obnoxious bully who never once let me finish a full sentence before talking loudly over me. We will NOT be back!

Have to say, it was fun, but VERY overpriced. Bring cash… they only take cash, and nothing on their posters indicated that. And the nickel and dime you for everything. I paid $ 5.00 for my daughter to take a two minute pony ride. A tad excessive. It’s a cool place, but the prices are prohibitive for families.

Renaissance festivals in Texas. I liked… no… I LOVED them as a kid. Big sprawling affairs with jousts and those freakishly sized turkey legs and fried ice cream and flower tiaras! What wasn’t to love? I grew a little older and there were still jousts and flower tiaras but now there was mead and dashing men in period costume flirting unabashedly with women who strolled by. I had such fond memories of driving out to Plantersville or Waxahachie with friends or family and spending all day having a blast.
And then I attended one a few years ago which was so phenomenally distasteful with their Philly cheesesteaks and nachos that it put me off the concept for a while. It was so blatantly tacky that after being there for an hour or so, I was damned ready to go.
That big preface aside, what is Camlann and why should you care? Camlann is a living history museum project portraying rural England in the 14^th century. Operated by Roger Shell and his wife, they wish to enrich the quality of our lives today by rediscovering facets worth keeping in modern times. Camlann doesn’t possess a WABAC Machine but you’d be hard pressed to find soda pop or cheesy fairy wings sold here. Instead you will find delectable items crafted from recipes of the period.
There are festivals throughout the year, banquets on medieval holidays, and also the Camlann Medieval Festival. Food is served year round at the Bors Hede Inne (opened in 1993) and with your meal, you will be serenaded while you eat. Call ahead for reservations, if you wish to eat at the Inne and remember that Roger only accepts cash or check. There’s plenty of free parking and the location is serenely quiet.
The innkeeper (Roger) greets you when you enter. If the temperature is cold enough, the massive fireplace will be lit filling the dining room with warmth. Scented water and linens are brought for your hands as you hear «what food the cook has on the fire for the evening meal.»
Don’t fret, folks. This ain’t no Medieval Times! The food is prepared from authentic 14^th century recipes and your drinking options are usually wine, mead, ale or juice is served in pitchers for your drinking mazer. No Coke or Pepsi will be found here. A bread trencher is brought to serve as your plate and along with your fingers, a knife and spoon are your only utensils. The serving platters, drinking mazers and earthen pitchers were handmade by the craftsmen at Camlann which adds to the ambiance.
We’ve taken guests there several times who’d appreciate the experience and they definitely did! Ordering a few of the main dishes is the best way to share among the group. The food has always been amazing and if I could have the recipe for the rastons* that arrive before the meal, I’d be truly happy!
*small round loaves made from sweetened bread dough with egg. After baking the top was cut off and the crumb removed; the hollow shell was filled with finely chopped crumb mixed with butter, the top replaced and served hot. The ones served at the Inne are buttery with an exquisite mixture of spices — truly addictive!

As a birthday present to my December-​born son, he and I attended the Yule Feast on December 27. This was our first visit to the Village but it won’t be the last. Well, for one, I’d like to see the Village in the light of day and observe the crafters at work. But back to the only part I can review, the Yule Feast. This is not inexpensive but it is an Event and should be enjoyed as one – and I believe it’s a good value for what you get.
First we stopped by the costumer and for $ 25 per person we were dressed in beautiful period clothing. It’s not required but it was fun to be truly immersed in the 14^th century. And really, if you’re going to go, why be a stick in the mud and insist on your regular Metalica t-​shirt? (Ya, I’m talking about the teenager sitting across from me, one of only three people not in costume.)
After we were dressed we entered The Bors Hede Inne and were guided to the Undercroft. Regular lunches and dinners are served in the main restaurant year round but feasts are held in the muralled, fireplace-​warmed Undercroft. The first thing I noticed was the wonderful smell. Seriously, I was there for the experience and didn’t really expect the food to taste as good as it did!
I won’t give away the whole menu but the pork roast with wild boar sauce was a particular favorite, as was the «Egredouce» (Sour & sweet beef and onions). Really, every single thing they served was tasty. And there was a troubadour (magician) and singing by the staff.
Diners are sat side by side at a long table with benches and food is served family-​style, take some and pass it on. I’m not sure whether it’s best to be at the beginning of the line or the end. I was the first person to begin the serving and I was worried the people at the end wouldn’t get enough so I just took a little. Then I see the people at the end had a huge serving and food left on the platter! (Hey, pass it back here, why dontcha? I thought, but didn’t say) However after three courses of four dishes each, plus wine, I was quite full, even with tiny portions.
Three and a half hours, start to finish, and $ 42 per person covers the feast, gratuity and the entertainment. I have certainly spent more and gotten less in my lifetime of dining.
My son is already talking of getting the whole family to attend next year. It’s an experience I’d highly recommend.

Camlann Medieval Village is an interactive living history site about 45 minutes east of Seattle. It’s located in a beautiful little spot in some woods tucked off the main road. One of the wonderful things about this place is that stepping onto the grounds you really do feel removed from the modern world.
While there is room enough for maybe about a dozen crafters there the day I was there only a couple were their (it was the last day of their season and things were definitely winding down). Those who were there were very nice and approachable and knew their stuff about what they were doing. I also ate lunch at the ‘inn’ there. It was very simple but was very tasty.
I was a bit disappointed that it was so quiet the day I went but I can’t wait to go back sometime when they have a lot going on. Either way it was a nice place to get out of the city on a beautiful Sunday.