Enjoy celestial storytelling hearing tales of the stars in our great Roundhouse!
Single ticket £19.50
Join storyteller Bernadette Russell for an evening of tales inspired by the skies. Enjoy enchanting, inspiring and epic star lore from prehistoric to present times, and allow yourself to believe in magic as you wish upon a star under the dark skies.
The South Downs Dark Skies Festival is back for 2025 with the theme of “Glimmers”, celebrating the sparkling lights of the stars, planets, meteors and moon in the night sky. Join Bernadette on a celestial journey into what makes our dark skies so precious.
Our ancestors believed many things as they gazed up at the night sky: that the stars were the home of bright spirits who once lived on earth, the eyes of those as yet unborn, beings transformed into stars for protection and refuge, that they were gods, goddesses, monsters and giants too, that they influenced our character, fate and fortune. More recently, astronomer Carl Sagan wrote “we are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself” – inspiring generations of star gazers and dreamers to stare up in wonder at the night sky.
Bernadette Russell is a performance storyteller and the author of six non-fiction books, the latest “Conversation on Kindness” to be released March 2025 published by Elliott and Thompson. She is the creative writing tutor at Treadwell’s Books in London, and has previously told stories at many venues including Royal Albert Hall, Southbank Centre and National Theatre, as well as in the woods, parks and wild places of London, Brighton and her native Hampshire. She is a regular storyteller at Butser Ancient Farm.
There will be a bar selling locally produced cider, mead and a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Hot drinks and snacks will also be available to be purchased from our shop.
“Bernadette's stories are magical, moving and hilarious all at once. She weaves a spell with words!” audience member at ‘A Pause at Winter's Gate’.
ABOUT THIS EVENT
Enjoy incredible storytelling by author and storyteller Bernadette Russell in a unique setting with a truly special atmosphere
Please note this performance is for ages 12+
All profits will go to supporting the ongoing educational and research work of Butser Ancient Farm
INCLUDED IN YOUR TICKET
Two hours of engaging storytelling by author and storyteller Bernadette Russell. Visit the farm in the heart of winter and settle around the fire in a huge Celtic roundhouse. Listen to enchanting stories and get swept away with celestial star-magic in a truly unique setting.
USEFUL INFORMATION: Please dress for the weather with sensible footwear - it’s chilly in February so wrap up warm! You may wish to bring a blanket or cushion to make your seat more comfortable. Please bring a torch as it may be dark returning to your car to the end of the event.
TIMINGS: This special event starts at 7pm, so please arrive at 6.45pm. The event will finish at 9pm.
FIRES: Please note there will be open fires in the house during this event.
CASH: There will be a cash bar at this event and the opportunity to buy hot drinks, snacks, and gifts in our shop.
ALCOHOL: No alcohol to be brought into the event.
ANIMALS: We are sorry but dogs (apart from assistance dogs) are not invited to this special event.
REFUNDS: We cannot offer any refunds on tickets unless Butser Ancient Farm needs to cancel the event due to unforeseen circumstances.
SPECIAL EVENT: This event is not included as general admission for our annual pass holders. This ticket is for access to the timed event only and does not include full admission to the Farm.
COVID-19: We will be complying with any relevant Covid-19 government guidance in place at the time of the event including the latest guidance on mask wearing. If you have any Covid-19 symptoms or have been asked to self-isolate, please do not attend.