{"id":189871,"date":"2025-06-16T20:34:15","date_gmt":"2025-06-16T20:34:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/189871\/"},"modified":"2025-06-16T20:34:15","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T20:34:15","slug":"britains-buried-past-comes-to-life-at-hands-on-summer-archaeology-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/189871\/","title":{"rendered":"Britain\u2019s buried past comes to life at hands-on summer archaeology festival"},"content":{"rendered":"

From Bronze Age pottery to medieval ruins, every footprint tells a story\u2014yours could be next<\/p>\n

13:39, 14 Jun 2025Updated 13:45, 14 Jun 2025<\/p>\n

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.\u00a0Learn more<\/a>Archaeologists working on a dig to find the gateway in the external wall which was opened by traitors to let Parliamentary forces enter during the Civil War at Corfe Castle, Dorset<\/p>\n

There\u2019s something deeply compelling about standing where others once stood thousands of years ago\u2014tracing footsteps in soil once trodden by Romans, Saxons or Norman knights. The past, so often confined to textbooks and museum glass, is breaking free this summer in the South West of England. Thanks to the National Trust and the Council for British Archaeology, history is coming alive during the Festival of Archaeology, running from 19 July to 3 August 2025. And whether you’re a curious first-timer or a seasoned enthusiast, there’s a story waiting to be discovered beneath your feet.<\/p>\n

The National Trust, custodian of many of Britain\u2019s most treasured landscapes and buildings, is turning its South West sites into open-air classrooms, living museums and hands-on dig sites. From Roman villas to Medieval castles and Georgian manors, this year\u2019s festival promises a packed programme of excavations, expert-led tours, and creative activities that make archaeology not just accessible, but genuinely exciting.<\/p>\n

Reconnecting with Roman Britain at Chedworth<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tucked away in the Cotswolds, Chedworth Roman Villa is already one of the most atmospheric Roman sites in the country. But during the Festival of Archaeology, it becomes something even more engaging\u2014a hands-on hub for exploring life in Roman Britain.<\/p>\n

Child dressed as a Centurion at Chedworth Roman Villa, Gloucestershire.<\/p>\n

Visitors won\u2019t just observe history\u2014they\u2019ll touch it. “We\u2019re particularly excited to display some of the Roman Empire’s rarest coins and offer behind-the-scenes insights into post-excavation processes,” said James Ball, Chedworth\u2019s Visitor Experiences Manager. Daily events include everything from handling 1,800-year-old mosaic fragments and ancient bones to digging into a replica excavation box\u2014ideal for young would-be archaeologists.<\/p>\n

But the real headline act is the Discovery Tours with Dr Martin Papworth, a former National Trust archaeologist whose excavation of Britain\u2019s only known 5th century mosaic made national headlines. Martin\u2019s tours offer rare, first-hand insight into discoveries that are rewriting the end of Roman Britain. \u201cIt changed how we understand the longevity of Roman life in Britain,\u201d he says. His storytelling, matched with the tangible evidence around Chedworth, gives visitors the sense they\u2019re part of something truly significant.<\/p>\n

Digging Beneath the Surface at Dunster Castle<\/strong><\/p>\n

Perched dramatically above the West Somerset coast, Dunster Castle boasts over a millennium of history. But this summer, it\u2019s what lies beneath the turf that\u2019s grabbing attention. Visitors can witness live geophysical surveys and ground-penetrating radar work as archaeologists search for remnants of the original Medieval castle beneath Green Court.<\/p>\n

Festival of Archaeology at Corfe Castle, Dorset. In collaboration with the Council for British Archaeology.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s more than just high-tech tools on display, though. Families can get involved through the Heritage Spotter Trail, which challenges young explorers to spot archaeological evidence all over the site\u2014from coat-of-arms to centuries-old mill machinery. And for those who prefer a narrative journey, themed medieval tours dive into the story of the castle\u2019s earliest days, from the Norman conquest to the English Civil War.<\/p>\n

The archaeological activity is as much about storytelling as it is science, explains Cat Lodge, National Trust South West Archaeologist: \u201cThe Festival is such a great opportunity for everyone, whatever age, to ignite their imagination and get involved in all things archaeology. Through earthworks, buried remains and artefacts, we can connect with past communities and understand the lives they led.\u201d<\/p>\n

Devon and Dorset: Where Heritage Hides in Plain Sight<\/strong><\/p>\n

Across Devon, the Festival invites visitors to look at familiar landscapes through an archaeological lens. At Knightshayes, subtle garden features reveal a hidden story of Victorian landscaping, while Greenway\u2014the former home of Agatha Christie\u2014blends literary history with archaeology. Christie, married to archaeologist Max Mallowan, was no stranger to excavation sites herself. Visitors can view their personal finds, dress up as archaeologists, and follow a family-friendly explorer trail through the gardens.<\/p>\n

Over at A La Ronde, a peculiar 18th-century sixteen-sided house near Exmouth<\/a>, the Digging Deeper exhibition sheds light on the property\u2019s evolution, thanks to several archaeological digs\u2014some prompted by Mary Parminter\u2019s 1849 will. Children and adults alike can explore interactive exhibits, examine recent finds, and even encounter the remains of a long-lost shell grotto.<\/p>\n

In neighbouring Dorset, Corfe Castle comes alive with a \u201cTime Team\u201d weekend. Alongside guided walks and archaeological demonstrations, visitors can take part in a mock dig or try to distinguish between Roman and Anglo-Saxon, well… poo. It\u2019s a lively blend of entertainment and education that ensures the lessons of the past aren\u2019t just remembered\u2014they\u2019re enjoyed.<\/p>\n

Cornwall\u2019s Coastal Time Capsules<\/strong><\/p>\n

For those with a taste for the ancient, Cornwall offers an opportunity to travel even further back. At Gunwalloe, the launch of a new Cliff Castle trail showcases the region\u2019s prehistoric past. The two-mile walk winds through sites tied to the Bronze Age, Iron Age and Medieval periods\u2014each layer a reminder of Cornwall\u2019s long and often rugged history.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, at Antony, visitors can get their hands dirty with Bronze Age pottery. Led by Finds Specialist Laura from Lore and Piece, this session introduces the wonders of Trevisker Ware, a locally crafted pottery with a story to tell about Cornwall\u2019s early settlers.<\/p>\n

These are tactile, sensory experiences\u2014the smell of clay, the texture of earth, the salty breeze off the sea\u2014that root participants not just in a place, but in time itself.<\/p>\n

Dr Nick Snashall, National Trust Archaeologist, using GPS, King Barrow Ridge, Stonehenge Landscape, Wiltshire. All land in the National Trust’s Stonehenge Landscape is now under pasture, protecting the Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments and other archaeology.<\/p>\n

Somerset and Beyond: A Region-Wide Story<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Somerset, places like Barrington Court and Montacute House offer more contemplative ways to engage. Visitors are encouraged to pick up trail maps and uncover the hidden archaeological features of these estates\u2014remnants that speak volumes even in their silence. And for those with a keen eye, the gardens reveal as much as the buildings, with subtle earthworks and landscape clues scattered across the grounds.<\/p>\n

Over in Gloucestershire, Newark Park\u2019s Tudor hunting lodge is the subject of special guided walks that examine how archaeology has challenged long-held assumptions about the property\u2019s origins.<\/p>\n

At Dyrham Park and Prior Park near Bath and Bristol, excavations and walking tours bring more recent histories to light, including landscape design, water engineering and estate development.<\/p>\n

From coast to countryside, villa to castle, every site reveals something different\u2014not just about Britain\u2019s past, but about how we choose to understand and preserve it today.<\/p>\n

Festival of Archaeology at Corfe Castle, Dorset. In collaboration with the Council for British Archaeology.<\/p>\n

Why It Matters: The Power of Connection<\/strong><\/p>\n

What stands out across all these events isn\u2019t just the wealth of historical information, but the way in which it\u2019s delivered. There’s no pomp, no dusty lectures. Instead, it\u2019s about connection\u2014to the land, to the stories embedded in stone and soil, and to the people who walked here before us.<\/p>\n

As Cat Lodge puts it, \u201cArchaeology helps us tell the stories of the places that we care for, revealing their longer histories of use and people… and helping us to understand more about the lives that they led.\u201d That sense of continuity\u2014between the then and the now\u2014is at the heart of this festival.<\/p>\n

The National Trust\u2019s programming ensures that whether you\u2019re fascinated by Roman mosaics, intrigued by Tudor gardens, or simply looking for an activity to entertain the kids this summer, there\u2019s an experience for you.<\/p>\n

How to Join the Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n

Festival of Archaeology at Corfe Castle, Dorset. In collaboration with the Council for British Archaeology.<\/p>\n

Most of the events are included with standard National Trust admission, and many are free for members. From hands-on digs to expert talks and family trails, the full schedule spans dozens of locations, each offering a unique window into Britain\u2019s layered history.<\/p>\n

To plan your visit or find an event near you, check the National Trust\u2019s website at Festival of Archaeology 2025 | National Trust<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"From Bronze Age pottery to medieval ruins, every footprint tells a story\u2014yours could be next 13:39, 14 Jun…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":189872,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5018,3,4],"tags":[748,393,41354,4884,4729,1144,712,77809,16,15,1764],"class_list":{"0":"post-189871","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-britain","8":"category-uk","9":"category-united-kingdom","10":"tag-britain","11":"tag-england","12":"tag-exmouth","13":"tag-great-britain","14":"tag-museums","15":"tag-northern-ireland","16":"tag-scotland","17":"tag-things-to-do-in-devon","18":"tag-uk","19":"tag-united-kingdom","20":"tag-wales"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114694957991652198","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/189871","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=189871"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/189871\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/189872"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=189871"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=189871"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=189871"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}