FightCamp is the UK's premier annual Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) event and is run by Matt Easton of Schola Gladiatoria (www.swordfightlondon.com). Join us on Facebook.

FightCamp started in 2004 and has grown from a small informal gathering to become one of the largest international HEMA events in the world, and by far the largest in the UK. In 2010 we moved to The Grange, in the UK's Midlands, especially developed for such events. The event now attracts over 30 instructors and 200 attendees every year.

FightCamp is a three day event providing classes, tournaments, trading and the opportunity for free exchange of European martial arts and related subjects. Classes cover subjects such as medieval knightly combat - using weapons like longswords, daggers and pollaxes - through to renaissance rapier duelling, Baroque smallsword techniques, Georgian pugilism, Victorian bayonet practice and wrestling, and even modern self-protection and fitness classes.

Unlike most other major HEMA events, FightCamp is almost entirely held outdoors (though we do have one indoor training hall and a covered social area and bar), with most attendees camping on site. This creates a unique 'festival' feel to the event and gives us more freedom than other HEMA events to have things like a permanent large free sparring arena, melee games, traders and catering on site. There is no running backwards and forwards between different venues and restaurants as at other events.

We have a vibrant social atmosphere centred on the licenced bar area in the evenings and on the Saturday evening there is a large barbeque, all included in the cost of the ticket.

FightCamp attracts leading instructors and fencers from the best known schools, giving top notch instruction. Our tournaments also attract some of the best fighters and we get some of the leading HEMA traders in attendance.

The programme provides full activities for three days, starting on Friday morning and ending on Sunday afternoon. Attendees are welcome to come for all three days (recommended to arrive on Thursday evening) or for one or two days. In addition to the scheduled activities, attendees will also find plenty of opportunity if they wish to engage in sparring, exchange training tips and knowledge, or just relax and socialise. Attendees of all backgrounds and experience levels are welcome - most classes are aimed at beginners and intermediate practitioners, with advanced practitioners often finding a space for themselves and engaging in free exchange of experience.

There are a variety of high level tournaments held at FightCamp, which attract some of the top European fencers. See the tournaments page for details.

The FightCamp venue, The Grange, is located between Coventry and Birmingham, near Kenilworth Castle. It is a site specialised for HEMA, airsoft games and Larp, with ample camping space, bathroom facilities, showers, a cafe/restaurant and bar. The site is easy to get to by car, rail or plane. It is a mere 15 minutes drive/taxi from Birmingham International airport.

Of course camping is not everyone's cup of tea and there are a range of cheap local hotels where attendees can stay at their own cost, if they wish.

You can read an independent review of FightCamp 2012 here.

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