The clock was turned back hundreds of years as life in medieval Britain was re-created at a Norfolk tourist attraction.

A dramatic invasion from a Viking longboat, a master mason creating stone carvings and an alchemist brewing strange elixirs were among the variety of highlights at the medieval spectacular at Pensthorpe, near Fakenham.

Huge crowds went to a Norfolk tourist attraction over the bank holiday weekend to sample life in medieval Britain.

Around 5,500 people attended the event across the three days, with Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday proving particularly popular.

Pensthorpe spokesman Kirsty Willingham said: 'Despite the inclement weather at the beginning of the weekend, visitors have turned up in force – many returning from previous years.

'This is a really special event for us and a great way to see what life was like on these shores hundreds of years ago.

'This is now set in the calendar of many people and it gets bigger every year with a more varied programme.

'The Viking longboat was an exciting new addition to the weekend and has created an even more authentic historical experience.'

Visitors experienced what life was like on and off the battlefield from the period between 900 and 1500AD.

They found out how soldiers prepared for battle and what life was like inside a military camp during that period.

The sights, sounds and smells were brought to life with medieval cooking, crafts and actors talking through how soldiers' equipment, weapons and armour developed in that time.

There was also the chance to wander through the medieval market place, haggle with merchants for authentic souvenirs, enjoy the traditional music and dancing of the age and try ale brewed following an original recipe.