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Nottinghamshire
Sherwood Forest Archaeological Training Field School
King’s Clipstone
Week 1: 20-24 July; Week 2: 27-31 July; Week 3: 10-14 August
Mercian Archaeological Services’ training school in the heart of Sherwood Forest teaches all aspects of archaeological excavation through hands-on experience with professional instruction. Focusing on a medieval hunting lodge and enclosure now known as King John’s Palace, the course is suitable for all levels from beginners to experienced diggers, and all equipment is provided.
http://www.mercian-as.co.uk/sherwoodforestfieldschool.html
Cost: £495 per person, £395 for students. Field Days include a lunchtime sandwich; accommodation is not included.
Powys
Abbey Cwmhir Heritage Trust trainee weeks
Cwmffwrn Farm, Abbeycwmhir
20-24 July, 27-31 July
Book an Excavation Trainee Week with Abbey Cwmhir Heritage Trust to spend five days working closely with professional archaeologists, learning excavation and recording techniques while you explore the remains of a medieval upland farmstead.
http://www.abbeycwmhir.org/events/excavation-2026
Cost: £450 (accommodation and food are not included, though tea and coffee are provided)
Stirling
Gallow Hill
Between Doune and Dunblane
14-24 July
Gallow Hill appears to be a broch, a rare upstanding tower-like structure built nearly 2,000 years ago. This summer’s investigations, led by Dr Murray Cook, form part of a long-term, relaxed series of projects exploring late prehistoric settlement patterns in the Forth Valley, and how native peoples interacted with the Roman Conquest. The minimum age to participated is 17, but all levels of experience are welcome.
http://www.rampartscotland.co.uk/rampart-digs
Cost: £55-£550 (accommodation not included)
Hampshire
Petersfield Big Dig
Various locations in and around Petersfield
4-20 July (site closed Wednesdays)
Petersfield Big Dig is a two-week test-pit excavation run by Liss Archaeology with the Petersfield Area Historical and Ar haeological Society. The project aims to investigate previously unknown archaeology pre-dating Petersfield’s 12th-century foundation. Training is available and all skill levels are welcome, but volunteers must be 18 or older.
http://www.lissarchaeology.uk (enquiries to lissarchaeology@gmail.com)
Cost: £5 daily fee (membership required: £20 per year, full-time students aged under 25 half-price)
Derbyshire
We DIG – Derventio
Darley Playing Fields, Derby
3-28 August (weekdays only)
Join York Archaeology – working with Derby Museums – to help uncover more of the Roman town of Derventio. Taster days and one-/two-week training courses are available. Participants must be at least 14 years old, and those aged 14 or 15 must be accompanied by a full-paying adult.
https://community.yorkarchaeology.co.uk/training-digs/we-dig-derventio
Cost: Adults (16+): £95 for 1 day, £440 for 1 week, £820 for 2 weeks. Students/14-16s/returnees from 2025: £85 for 1 day, £400 for 1 week.
Running a project? Get in touch!
If you are running an excavation that members of the public can participate in (anywhere in Britain and Ireland) and would like to highlight your project on a future ‘Go Digging!’ page, please email us at cp@currentpublishing.com.
