MUSKET fire and war drums could be heard in Old Basing this bank holiday weekend.

Hundreds of people flocked to Basing House to watch the annual re-enactment of a bloody English Civil War battle by The Sealed Knot re-enactment group.

Scores of members of the group camped out in the village between Good Friday and Easter Monday, making use of the nearby Millstone pub.

On Easter Sunday and bank holiday Monday, they performed a display of arms on the Basing House battlefield, recreating the end of the siege in 1645, when the Parliamentarian forces routed the royalist troops.

There was also a living history display in the ruins, felt and coin-making workshops and plenty of stalls for people to browse.

Jade Poulton, assistant manager at Basing House, said more than 800 people came to the site on the Sunday alone.

She added: “It has been really good and we have had really good feedback.

“We have had lots of families here and people enjoying themselves. The weather has been lovely, which is surprising for a bank holiday weekend!”

Sean Thomas from Hatch Warren, came to the event for the first time. The 33-year-old said: “I have heard about it before but never been up here, although my wife has been a few times. It’s interesting and something different.”

David Grubb came all the way from Gosport, with his wife Karen, to visit the house on Monday. The 56-year-old said: “We have had a really nice time. There has been plenty to see.”