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GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Festival of Archaeology Launch
Westonbirt, the National Arboretum, near Tetbury
18 July
This year’s launch event offers a wide range of free events and activities, including themed walks, experimental archaeology demonstrations by AncientCraft, crafts, living heritage displays (including morris dancing and medieval re-enactments), and talks.
NORTHUMBERLAND
Agricultural Heritage Archaeology
Cragend Farm, Rothbury
21 July
Explore the layered heritage of Cragend Farm, from its origins as a Celtic camp to its restoration as a Victorian farm. This event introduces agricultural and industrial archaeology, highlighting hydraulic machinery and exploring how centuries of farming and engineering have shaped this unique landscape.
LEICESTERSHIRE/RUTLAND
Festival of Leicestershire and Rutland Archaeology 2026
Various locations
4 July-2 August
Leicestershire and Rutland Fieldworkers are running more than 100 events in this month-long celebration of the two counties’ heritage, including family-friendly fun, guided and self-guided walks, expert talks, exhibitions, and hands-on activities.
CHESHIRE
Discover Medieval Nantwich – Guided Tour
Nantwich Museum
18 July
This guided walk features the findings of a research project by volunteers at Nantwich Museum, who used archaeological, archival, and mapping evidence to investigate the town’s medieval past. Come and view Nantwich through a medieval lens, hearing echoes of burgage plots, seeing castle layouts, and learning about salt production.
SUFFOLK
Warrior Weekend
Sutton Hoo, near Woodbridge
1-2 August
Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Anglo-Saxon world with the living history group Wulfheodenas, and The Saxon Smiths. Wander through an Anglo-Saxon encampment, encountering craftspeople and warriors, and watch The Saxon Smiths demonstrating historic metalworking techniques as they continue their project to recreate every iron and non-ferrous item from the Early Saxon period.
NEWPORT
Newport Medieval Ship Summer Fayre
Queensway Meadows Industrial Estate, Newport
25 July
Discover the secrets of a 15th-century merchant ship found in Newport, and learn about how its remains were excavated and conserved. Visitors can also find out about medieval life with re-enactors and demonstrations, and traditional trades like rope-making, pottery, and wood-turning. There will be family art activities, food and drink, and music all day – including sea shanties.
HAMPSHIRE
Soap-knapping Drop-in Days
Andover Museum
22-23 July
Step back into the Stone Age at Andover Museum’s Craft Club, and discover how early humans shaped tools from flint and stone. Using bars of soap instead of sharp flint, children can safely try their hand at ‘knapping’, carefully carving and shaping their own prehistoric-style tool to take home.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
Chester House Estate Roman Fest
Chester House Estate, Wellingborough
25-26 July
This free event will include Roman army displays and demonstrations of historic crafts, family-friendly activities, excavation tours, a pop-up laboratory run by the University of Leicester School of Archaeology and Ancient History, and an art exhibition inspired by the Roman world. Entry is free, but tickets must be pre-booked.
LONDON
Lost at Play: 500 years of fun and games
Sutton House, Hackney
Throughout the festival
This exhibition showcases historic toys and games that were discovered beneath the floorboards of the house in the 1990s, telling stories of the people who lived, worked, and went to school on the site, and illuminating playful activities spanning five centuries.
OXFORDSHIRE
Visit the Greys Court Excavations
Greys Court, Henley-on-Thames
18-27 July
In their third year of excavations on the site, National Trust archaeologists and the South Oxfordshire Archaeology Group are exploring the lost buildings of Greys Court. Come and see the team at work on the Oval Lawn (and potentially take part yourself), and visit the finds-processing room.
EAST SUSSEX
After Hours Graffiti Tour
Bodiam Castle
11 & 13 August
August will see a range of archaeological events at Bodiam Castle from live demonstrations to tours of an ongoing excavation (on 6-8, 13-15, and 20-22 August). On 11 and 13 August, there will be exclusive evening tours with archaeologist Matthew Champion, exploring the castle’s historic inscriptions.
CORNWALL
Be an Archaeologist for the Day: Cornwall Young Archaeologists’ Club
Boden, Lizard Peninsula
18 July
Boden is a multi-period site where ongoing excavations have uncovered Bronze Age roundhouses, an Iron Age fogou, and a Romano-British burial site. During this event, children aged 8-16 will have the chance to dig test pits, tour the fogou, and learn about Trevisker Ware in a workshop with Lore & Piece’s Laura Miucci. Spaces are limited; booking is essential (email cornwallyoungarchclub@gmail.com).
ONLINE EVENTS
#AskAnArchaeologist Day 2026
24 July
#AskAnArchaeologist Day is a chance for people from all over the world to ask archaeologists questions, and an opportunity for archaeologists to share their knowledge. Anyone can ask a question via social media, and any archaeologist who has an answer is encouraged to respond. This year’s event will take place on Instagram (@archaeologyuk), TikTok (@archaeologyuk), Bluesky (@archaeologyuk.bsky.social), and X (via @AskAnArchDay and @archaeologyuk; please include the hashtag #AskAnArchaeologist in your post).
Digital Student and Early Careers Conference
30 July
This online conference aims to give a platform to students and early-career archaeologists and heritage professionals, providing an opportunity to gain presentation experience. More information for contributors can be found at http://www.archaeologyuk.org/youth-engagement/festival-of-archaeology-early-careers-conference.html. The conference is free to attend, and audience members can join for the whole day or specific presentations.
