Frost Fair at The Golden Hinde
A Cosy Afternoon in the Hold
From 2-4pm, the ship opened freely to families and visitors for a Mini Frost Fair in the Hold, transforming the space into a welcoming hub of activity. Across the afternoon, around 50 participants took part in hands-on winter crafts, Tudor-inspired games, dressing up, and drop-in object handling sessions delivered with our friends from The Old Operating Theatre.
Lantern-making, coin rubbings, print activities, and traditional games sat alongside a lively Costume Corner, where visitors of all ages stepped briefly into Tudor life and captured memories aboard the ship. Meanwhile, the Frost Fair Tavern offered steaming hot chocolate and warming drinks - perfectly timed to mark National Hot Chocolate Day.
Although tickets sold out in advance, the relaxed, drop-in nature of the afternoon allowed walk-on visitors to pop in and join the fun, creating a lively but welcoming atmosphere throughout.
Craft in Wood with Robert Grieves
Running alongside the family programme, London-based wood sculptor Robert Grieves led two intimate Willow-Doodling workshops on the Gun Deck. Aimed primarily at adults but open to all curious makers, the sessions invited participants to slow down, work intuitively, and engage directly with willow in a space built entirely of wood.
Across two sessions, 30 participants explored the material’s flexibility and history, drawing inspiration from both the setting and the long tradition of craft associated with winter fairs along the Thames. The informal, friendly tone of the workshops made them a calm and reflective counterpoint to the buzz of the Hold below.
An Evening of Music and Celebration
As darkness fell, the ship reopened for an evening of live music with Balamuc, bringing the Frost Fair to a rousing close. From 8-10pm, the Hold filled with the sounds of East European folk music as the seven-piece band delivered a high-energy performance that had floorboards bouncing and the audience dancing.
Drawing on musical traditions from across Europe and the Middle East, Balamuc’s melodies and infectious rhythms echoed the celebratory spirit of historic Frost Fairs - moments when winter hardship gave way to warmth, music, and shared joy. With the bar open throughout the evening, the atmosphere felt festive, communal, and unmistakably wintry.
Why It Mattered
The Frost Fair was a meaningful moment within The Golden Hinde’s 30th anniversary year, supporting community engagement, winter footfall, and visibility during the quieter months. By offering a programme of free events, the day welcomed a broad mix of families, local residents, first-time visitors, and long-time supporters aboard the ship.
The event also contributed to ongoing awareness and fundraising efforts supporting the ship’s future refit, reminding visitors that The Golden Hinde remains a living, active space - rooted in history, animated by contemporary creativity, and here for generations to come.
We’re hugely grateful to our partners and collaborators, including Better Bankside, Robert Grieves, The Old Operating Theatre, and Balamuc, as well as our dedicated staff and volunteers who made the day possible. As the final notes of music faded and the winter night closed in, Frost Fair 2026 left us with a simple reminder: even in the coldest season, shared moments of making, music, and warmth can still bring people together.
