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Norfolk
Sedgeford Historical and Archaeological Research Project (SHARP)
Sedgeford, Norfolk
12 July-7 August
SHARP is an independent, multi-period research project based in north west Norfolk. Its main research focus has been the excavation of a Late Anglo-Saxon settlement and cemetery, along with an associated industrial area. For 2026, the main emphasis will be the continued excavation of a complex of Anglo-Saxon malting houses. Those aged 16 and 17 may attend unaccompanied, but require parental or guardian permission; 15-year-olds are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult.
http://www.sharp.org.uk
Cost: £60-£340, with day- and week-long experiences available. Camping and use of on-site facilities can be added for £50/week, meals on-site (breakfast, lunch & dinner) for another £60/week.
London
Elysing Tudor Palace
Forty Hall, Enfield, North London
12-26 July (public open day 18 July)
The Enfield Archaeological Society’s 22nd year of work on this scheduled site will focus on revealing more of the inner gatehouse of the palace, in relation to areas excavated in the 1960s, following the excavation of its main stair tower in 2025 (pictured). Participation is open to anyone over 16, but society membership is required.
http://www.enfarchsoc.org (enquiries to martin.dearne@talktalk.net)
Cost: minimum £13 society membership (required by 28 June)
Hampshire
Colemore Project Spring Excavation
Near Petersfield, North-East Hampshire
30 April-24 May (site closed middle Sundays)
Located in the west of the South Downs National Park, Colemore has a fascinating buried landscape of past rural settlement where 17 seasons of investigations have revealed evidence of Romano-British occupation, with glimpses of the Iron Age. Geophysics indicates the field has a wealth of archaeology still to be unearthed, and several large trenches are planned for 2026. Training is available and volunteers from all walks of life and of all skill levels are welcome, but please note that this project is for over-18s only.
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.
Northamptonshire
Stanwick Hall Field School
Stanwick, Northamptonshire
30 May-25 September
This project offers a hands-on approach to learning all the basics of on-site archaeology, from excavation through to post-excavation processing (including opportunities to help with uncovering finds, drawing and photography, and cleaning and recording artefacts), while investigating the remains of a series of buildings dating to the late Saxon or early medieval period. Various accommodation options are available, and no prior experience is required; children aged 8 and over are welcome if accompanied by a paying adult.
http://www.udig.site
Cost: 2-Day Team Passes from £105; Week Team Passes from £745; Season Team Passes from £1,100.
Leicestershire
Welby Archaeological Training Field School
Welby, near Melton Mowbray
Week 1: 22-26 June; Week 2: 29 June-3 July
This training course focuses on the skills of archaeological excavation, with a mixture of classroom sessions and hands-on training suitable for all levels of experience. It will explore the Deserted Village of Welby, 3km north-west of Melton Mowbray, which sits within a historically rich landscape preserving evidence of prehistoric and Romano-British activity that could extend within the area of the site.
http://www.mercian-as.co.uk/fieldschool.html
Cost: £495/person, or £395/person for students (in full-time education, 18 and under, Student NUS cardholder or international equivalent, Distance Learning, etc)
Running a project? Get in touch! If you are running an excavation in Britain or Ireland that members of the public can join, and you would like to tell our readers about it, please email cp@currentpublishing.com.
