Free ticket for a few hours’ help at Penryn’s Awenek festival

Bronze Age axe-making, a medieval clash and a full afternoon wandering Enys Gardens, all for the cost of a morning’s work. Cornwall Heritage Trust wants to hear from anyone with a few spare hours ahead of next month’s Awenek festival, and the trade on offer is a generous one.

What’s on at Awenek

Awenek, Cornwall Heritage Trust’s Great Cornish Heritage Festival, returns to Enys Gardens in Penryn on Saturday 12 September, running from 10am to 5pm. The trust describes it as a celebration of Cornwall’s living heritage, the stories, skills, language, music and traditions that have shaped communities here for generations and continue to evolve today. The billing for 2026 takes in Bronze Age axe-making, medieval battles, traditional crafts, Kernewek, shanties, storytelling and hands-on activities for all ages.

Half a day’s help for a full day’s ticket

This is where the volunteers come in. Cornwall Heritage Trust is looking for people to help across the day at Enys Gardens (TR10 9LB), and the trade is a generous one: a free full-day festival ticket for just a half-day of support. Roles on offer include supporting the morning set-up, assisting with activities, and helping visitors find their way around the gardens.

Anyone who has been to Awenek before, or volunteered at it, will already know how much the day depends on the people who give up their time for it. The trust is asking anyone with a few hours to spare, and an interest in exploring everything that makes Cornwall special, to get in touch.

How to register

Volunteers can register their interest online with Cornwall Heritage Trust.

Full-day tickets are also on sale online now, for anyone who would rather watch the axe demonstrations than help set them up.