Festival of Thetford and Punjab 2026
Ancient House is pleased to be part of The Festival of Thetford & Punjab. The Festival is a cross-cultural celebration inspired by the people of Thetford and the Duleep Singh family, the last Royal Family of the Punjab who lived in nearby Elveden.
The Desi Arts Workshops
Warming you up to the festival!
We're teaming up with Arts La'Olam to create a series of wonderful workshops to warm you up to the festival, with music, dance and textile art for all to enjoy. Funded by Arts Council England.
Stitch Your Story textile workshop with Suman Gujral
- Dates: 25 June, 2 July and 9 July 2026
- Time: 11am-3pm
- Venue: Ancient House Museum, 21 White Hart St, Thetford IP24 1AA
Enjoy a long session discovering with Suman Gujral how you can stitch your own story. Participants will use stitch, collage and words to connect to shared heritage. Materials will be provided, as well as tea and biscuits. Please bring a packed lunch. All adults welcome: for those with experience and without.
Book for Stitch Your Story Workshops
Home Education: Batik Textile Workshop
- Monday 22 June 2026
- 1-3pm
- Free
A ticket includes a child and an adult
Join artist Sally Chinea for a batik textile workshop at Ancient House. Over the course of the workshop, you will create a batik image from Thetford's heritage.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Book a place for the Home Education: Batik Textile Workshop
Batik Textile Workshop for Adults
- Tuesday 23 June 2025
- 1-3pm
- Free
Join artist Sally Chinea for a batik textile workshop at Ancient House. Over the course of the workshop, you will create a batik image from Thetford's heritage.
Book a place for the Batik Textile Workshop for Adults
New displays at Ancient House
See our new displays in our upstairs room focus on the lives of the six Duleep Singh Princes and Princess who grew up at Elveden hall and the life of Thetford-born Thomas Paine, revolutionary writer.
For more information, visit New displays at Ancient House
Prince Frederick Special Exhibition at Ancient House
This special exhibition marking the centenary of Prince Frederick's death in 1926.
For more information, visit Prince Frederick Special Exhibition at Ancient House
Re-Framing Histories: Maharajah Duleep Singh Photographic Display at Ancient House
Re-Framing Histories depicts a series of imagined moments in the life of Duleep Singh; the last Maharajah of Punjab. Jonathan Turner has created these imagined scenes using a mixture of studio photography and AI generated backgrounds in work which re-examines narratives around the legacies of Empire.
This work was made possible with funding from Arts Council England's DYCP fund.
Lorina and the Maharajah Youth Display
As part of Historic England's History in the Making Project, Ancient House THC Youth Group have investigated the life of Lorian Bulwer, an inmate at Great Yarmouth Workhouse at the end of the 19th century who stitched a letter the Maharajah Duleep Singh. The young people will be reading the long letter aloud and displaying their research and artwork inspired by Lorina's work.
Events at Ancient House
Campaigning Princesses and the East Anglia Suffrage
- Tuesday 14 July 2026
- 2.30-3.30pm
- £5 or free for Ancient House Friends and Norfolk Museums Service Pass Holders
Melissa Hawker, Learning Officer at Ancient House, will explore the role of Princess Sophia and Princess Catherine Duleep Singh in the campaign for Votes for Women. Melissa will set them in the context of local revolutionaries and other local campaigners, including Thetford's very own Thomas Paine.
For more information, visit Campaigning Princesses and the East Anglia Suffrage
Escape the Museum Puzzle Day
- Saturday 18 July 2026
- 10am-5pm
- Included in museum admission
Advanced booking encouraged to avoid disappointment
Gather your team and see if you would win or lose in the Empire Race. Take on challenges and puzzles in each room while learning about the British in India and the story of Maharajah Duleep Singh. Imagine orienteering crossed with escape room crossed with a museum visit. The fastest team wins the glory!
For more information, visit Escape the Museum Puzzle Day
Festival of Thetford and Punjab Open Day
- Sunday 19 July 2026
- 10am-5pm
- Free
Visit Ancient House's brand-new displays on the Duleep Singh Princess and Prince. Meet costumed characters and get hands on with historical artefacts. Book your place for the Festival of Thetford and Punjab Open Day.
