Here are some of the notable Viking reenactment groups in the UK, with details about what they do and where they operate:
The Vikings (Re-enactment Society)
One of the largest and oldest Dark Age reenactment societies in the UK. They recreate life from roughly 790 AD through to 1066, covering Vikings, Saxons, Normans, and other early medieval peoples. Their activities include large-scale combat displays, living history encampments, and educational visits.
They have groups across the UK and abroad, and membership is open to adults (with some roles for younger people under supervision).
Their living history set-ups feature period tents, craft demonstrations (weaving, leatherwork, wood-turning), and cooking over open fires.
Hrútar lið (Hrutar Lid)
A regional subgroup of The Vikings, based in Derby.
They combine battle reenactment (using real but blunted weapons) with living history displays, portraying everything from peasant life to warrior training.
They train every two weeks and welcome new members who want to learn both combat and daily-life crafts.
Ordgar
This is the Norfolk branch of The Vikings society.
They focus on the Anglo-Danish culture of the 8th–11th centuries, and carry out both combat and living-history demonstrations.
They offer training in weapon combat (sword, axe, bow, sling), and in crafts like leatherwork, weaving, pottery, and blacksmithing.
Public displays include arena battles and village encampments, plus periodic large-scale battles when multiple units come together.
Eikthyrnir
Based in St Albans, Hertfordshire.
They portray life from the early 9th century through to the mid-11th century.
Their group structure includes roles such as Jarl, Training Officer, Authenticity Officer, and Living History Officer, indicating a strong organisational focus.
They train twice a month on Saturdays and also on Thursday evenings.
Manaraefan (Viking & Anglo-Saxon)
Covering Hampshire, Wiltshire, and surrounding areas.
They recreate a Viking-style port village, particularly drawing on the idea of a war camp campaign, with a living history setup.
Their portrayal runs from early Viking raids (around Lindisfarne, 793 AD) up to the Norman Conquest in 1066.
They do public shows, large-scale battle reenactments, and they take part in educational and community events.
Wryngwyrm Vikings
Based in Bedfordshire.
They are part of The Vikings society and do both Viking and Anglo-Saxon reenactment.
Their living history displays cover crafts such as blacksmithing, dyeing, natural remedies, and other period-authentic skills.
They also run archery and combat demonstrations, using historic weapons in a controlled, safe format.
Wyrngwyrm Historical Viking Reenactment
Draca Beordor
A group based around Somerset.
They aim for historically accurate portrayal, using archaeological and historical sources to shape their kit, clothing, and fighting equipment.
Members represent a variety of Viking Age cultures (for example from Birka in Sweden to Dublin in Ireland), showing the diversity of Viking peoples.
They operate as a community as much as a performance group, inviting participation not only from fighters but also from craft-makers and history enthusiasts.
Ardenweard
A Dark Ages reenactment group linked to The Vikings society.
Their focus is on 10th-century settings, though they cover a wider period from about 790 to 1066.
They emphasise both the warlike (combat) and domestic (every-day life) aspects of the Viking era, aiming for historical accuracy in all areas.
Haestingas
Part of Regia Anglorum (an early medieval reenactment society).
Based in Sussex but active across the UK, they represent Anglo-Saxon, Viking and Norman cultures, especially in the period around the 8th to 11th centuries.
They do public engagement through crafts, fighting demos, sailing, and living history; they train members in everything from combat to historic cooking, carpentry, and coin-making.
They emphasise inclusivity and reject any political appropriation of Viking imagery.
Vikings of Middle England (Tÿrslið)
Based in Leicester and the East Midlands.
Their portrayal covers Viking-Age people, with a strong historical and educational focus.
They run a living history encampment with demonstrations of crafts such as blacksmithing and coin-striking.
They also have arena displays, and interestingly they use Icelandic horses in some of their presentations.
They provide school resources and contribute to research, TV, and publications.