Jousting knights and swooping falcons sprinkled Hampton Court Palace Green with a touch of history over the bank holiday weekend.

The thousands-strong crowds at the annual A Country Affair witnessed horses thundering past as Henry’s Knights battled in full armour, a sight straight out of the 17th century.

Other animals joined in the fun, as hens took their lane positions for a race to the finish line.

The excitement for one hen on Sunday proved too much, as she escaped the running arena to put up chase around the green.

Performing dogs also showed off to the audience with dancing routines, hoop jumping and the old favourite dogs who look most like their owners judging competition.

If animals were not your thing the food tents offered salvation, with a mix of enticing aromas and samples on offer.

Cheese, rapeseed honey, curry, creamy fudge, cake, chutney, nuts and sweets were all laid out in tantalising rows for people to taste or buy.

Live music by the Hensons, Other Animals and Gabby Young provided an upbeat backdrop to the activities, as children took to the Ferris wheel with painted faces and balloons.

The sun may have been absent but the fun was there in abundance as a touch of the countryside came to the city for one weekend.