NATIONAL Trust's Castle Drogo will be rolling back the years and recreating the atmosphere of war time Britain with its world war two weekend on Saturday, September 24 and Sunday, September 25 between 11am and 5pm.

Turn back the clock and experience the sights and sounds of the 1940's as the castle grounds are transformed into a bustling war time camp, complete with military vehicles and characters.

As this year marks the centenary of the beginning of Castle Drogo being built there will be a very special flypast by a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire on the Saturday.

Visitors can participate in an evacuee trail around the Castle and grounds to take them through the home front experience.

They will find out about the blitz, air raid shelters, rationing and code breaking; and can even play the part of an evacuee sent from the city to spend the war at Drogo.

To add to the atmosphere, the volunteers of the Military Vehicle Trust are co-ordinating a display of 40 vehicles including war time ambulances, jeeps, command cars and weapons carriers.

Almost one hundred re-enactors will be giving demonstrations in the varied display tents and helping visitors try on period clothes.

Performers 'Blitz and Peaces' will be roaming the grounds entertaining visitors with music of the period and they will also perform a special air raid concert in the chapel at 3pm each day. 

During the war, Castle Drogo was used by the Church of England's 'Waifs and Strays Society' as a home for evacuees and orphaned children.

This was ably run by a matron in charge and Mary Drewe, daughter of the founder of the Home and Colonial Stores for whom Castle Drogo was built. There would have been about 30 to 50 children in attendance at any one time.

Normal admission charges apply plus £2 per person for trail and activities. Phone 01647 433306 for more details of the event.