What's new
Dates for your diary
Please check the relevant websites and social media for confirmation and last-minute changes to the events listed here.
Olney Archaeological Society Talks 2025
Tuesday 21 January Lost to the Waves: the study of the Greek and Roman harbours of Crete by Mike Curtis.
All lectures are at the Olney Centre, Olney in Buckinghamshire, 10.00am-12.00 noon. Note that some lectures are remote and will be shown on screen. Price £4 for visitors, go to www.mkheritage.org.uk/oas/ for more information and membership.
CBA online talks 2025
Wednesday 22 January In Conversation: Embedding Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Equality into Your Organisation.
Wednesday 26 March In Conversation: Introduction to Net Zero.
Wednesday 23 April In Conversation: Reconnecting Archaeology Mid Point Review.
Wednesday 21 May In Conversation: Introduction to Safeguarding.
Go to www.archaeologyuk.org for more information about the Council for British Archaeology online talks.
Peterborough Museum 2025
Friday 24 to Monday 27 January The Katharine of Aragon Festival in Peterborough Museum and Peterborough Cathedral.
Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday Priestgate Vaults Tours.
Go to www.peterboroughmuseum.org for more information about events and tours.
Derbyshire Archaeology Day
Saturday 25 January, 9.15am-4.20pm
Romano-British settlement at Markham Vale by Owain Ellis-Davies (York Archaeology).
Excavation of a Romano-British enclosure at Green Lane, Killamarsh by Tom Bell (PCAS Archaeology).
The Neronian fort at Strutt's Park by Steve Malone (York Archaeology).
The growth of Derbyshire Scout Archaeology by Morgause Lomas (Derbyshire Scouts).
Ploughing, pasture and pannage in the Peaks by Tudur Davis and Ian Parker Heath.
Castern Hall by Oliver Jessop, Richard Pougher, Tom Parker (The Jessop Consultancy).
Tracks through Time by Jane Rogers & Trveor Griffin.
Brickmaking on Matlock Moor by Alan Piper.
At Winding Wheel Theatre, Chesterfield. Organised by Derbyshire County Council, the Peak District National Park and Chesterfield Borough Council. Go to www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk for more information and tickets (Adults £12.20).
Finds Day at Daventry Museum
Saturday 25 January 2025.
Northamptonshire Finds Officer Eleanore Cox will be at Daventry Museum, free but you'll need to book a 15 minute time slot by email.
Northampton Central Library 2025
Saturday 25 January at 2.00pm Carnegie Talk: Gaols, Gallows & Ghosts by Richard Blacklee.
Northampton Central Library is in Abington Street, Northampton NN1 2BA. Go to the Facebook page for more information.
Finedon Local Historical Society Talks 2025
Monday 27 January Forging Ahead by Steve Dimmer.
Monday 24 February Benjamin Cusley by David Brown.
Monday 24 March Sex, Drugs and Tapeworms by Kevin Varty.
Monday 24 April The Notorious Culworth Gang by Richard Blacklee.
Monday 19 May Suffragettes and Suffragists by John Buckell.
Monday 23 June Strawbear to Squirt by Susan Copperwheat.
Monday 28 July To the Manor Born by Derek Blunt.
Talks are at 7.30pm in the Mission Room, Well Street, Finedon, NN9 5JP. FLHS members £2.50, visitors £3.50. Go to www.tingdenetofinedon.co.uk for more information.
Sharnbrook Local History Group Talks 2025
Wednesday 29 January Special Railway Loads in the Great War by Bill Pinfold.
Wednesday 12 February Origins of the Medieval Village by Andy Chapman.
Wednesday 26 February Sharnbrook Historical Miscellany by Colin Scott.
Wednesday 12 March Archaeology at Hill Farm by Carol Simmonds.
Talks held at 2.00pm in the Methodist Church, Sharnbrook but go to www.slhg.org.uk for more information.
Northampton Museum & Art Gallery Talks 2025
Thursday 30 January Call of the Kingfisher by Nick Penny.
Thursday 13 February Discover the Amazing Story of the Panacea Society by Zara Matthews.
Thursday 27 February Murder and Mayhem by Jane Isaac.
Thursday 13 March Hollywood in Irthlingborough: The Battle of Waterloo by Roy York and Phil Watts.
Thursday 27 March My Life Amongst the Bells by Alistair Donaldson.
Thursday 24 April Blair Swannell: From the Gardens to Gallipoli by Graham McKechnie.
Thursday morning talks start at 10.30am, price £3.50, booking essential. Go to www.northamptonmuseums.com for more information and tickets.
Northamptonshire Records Society 2025
THE NRS hold document workshops in the NRS Library at Northamptonshire Archives, Wootton Hall Park, Northampton showcasing and explaining some of the records. Go to www.northamptonshirerecordsociety.org.uk for more information and to book a place as numbers are limited.
Saturday 1 February Medieval Landscape of Open Fields by Deborah Hayter.
Saturday 1 March People and Places: Unlocking the Secrets of the Census by Margaret Hawkins.
Saturday 5 April Enclosure Records by Dr Steven Hollowell.
Stanwick Lakes, Tea & Talks 2025
Tuesday 4 February Ernest Shackleton.
Go to www.stanwicklakes.org.uk for information and to book a place. Talks start at 2.00pm, prices £8-£18.50 dependent on refreshment option.
CBA 2025 AGM and de Cardi Lecture
Saturday 8 February
Go to www.archaeologyuk.org for more information and booking. The de Cardi Lecture is Being Present: Finding Meaning through Mindful Engagement with Archaeology and will be given by Dr Claire Nolan.
Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group Talks 2025
Friday 14 February A Bit of Old England by Neil Lyon.
Friday 14 March Northamptonshire's Ironstone Railways by Mick Dix.
Talks are held in Garden Room at St Matthews Church Hall, off Kettering Road, Northampton. FREE to NIAG members, visitors welcome £3. Go to www.niag.org.uk for more information.
Oundle Historical Society Talks 2025
Friday 14 February 2025 Royalist Estates during the English Civil Wars by Charlotte Young
Talks start at 7.30pm in Oundle Methodist Church, Drummingwell Lane, Oundle. Visitors £2. Go to www.oundlehistoricalsociety.org.uk for more information.
Wrest Park 2025
Saturday 15 February - Sunday 23 February 10.00am-4.00pm Half Term History Makers.
Next date tbc Archaeological Collections Store Tours.
Wrest Park is in Silsoe, Bedfordshire, MK45 4HR. Go to www.english-heritage.org.uk for more information, prices and opening times.
Delapré Abbey Events and Tours 2025
Sunday 16 February Reopening of the Abbey after Winter.
Friday 28 February Murder at the Abbey.
Friday 6 - Saturday 7 June Divorced, Beheaded, Died An Audience with King Henry VIII - live theatre production.
Go to www.delapreabbey.org for more information and ticket details for the tours, Family Fun Days, Friends of Northampton Castle Play Days, and other events. Delapre Abbey is on the outskirts of Northampton, NN4 8AW, car parking is FREE.
HiFARS AGM
Sunday 16 February 2025 at 2.30pm, more details will be announced soon.
Rushden & District History Society Talks 2025
Friday 21 February When the Landships came to town by Helen Frost.
Friday 21 March Sweet Memories by Kevin Varty.
Friday 11 April Yvonne Fletcher and the Libyan Siege by Paul Barwick.
Talks start at 7.30pm at Whitefriars School, Boughton Drive, Rushden NN10 9HX. Visitors welcome, £2.50 on the door. Go to www.rdhs.org.uk for more information.
Stanwick Lakes 2025
Sunday 23 February 10.00am-4.00pm Workshops Ancient Craft: Bronze Age axe casting.
Saturday 4 October 10.00am-4.00pm Workshops Ancient Craft: Flint knapping.
Saturday 4 October 10.00am-4.00pm Workshops Ancient Craft: Bronze Age jewellery.
Go to www.stanwicklakes.org.uk for more information, prices and to book a place.
Abington Park Museum in Northampton 2025
Sunday 23 February, Sunday 23 March and Sunday 27 April at 2.00pm.
Volunteer-led tours of the Museum, £3.50 each person, booking essential. Go to www.northamptonmuseums.com for more information about tours and exhibitions at Abington Park Museum.
British Museum Exhibitions
Now until 23 February 2025 Silk Roads.
Now until 30 March 2025 Picasso: printmaker.
British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG. Go to www.britishmuseum.org for more information.
Discover Northamptonshire Visitor Hub at Rushden Lakes 2025
Friday 28 February 10.30am-1.30pm Finds Day with Northamptonshire Finds Liaison Officer Eleanore Cox.
FREE drop-in session.
Kimbolton Castle: Public Open Days
Sunday 2 March 2025. Go to www.kimboltoncastle.com for more information.
Next HiFARS committee meeting
Thursday 6 March. If any HiFARS member has something to raise with the committee please email hifars@gmx.co.uk before the meeting.
CBASM Spring Conference 2025: Revisiting the Romans
Saturday 29 March at Chester House Estate, Northamptonshire.
Go to cbasm.archaeologyuk.org for more information and booking nearer the time.
Exploring Archaeological Landscapes: Celebrating the legacy of Derrick Riley and William Arnold Baker
Saturday 29 March 2025.
A day conference focussing on two significant areial photographers, and the evolving aerial archaeology techniques and research inspired by them to be held at the Creative Lounge, The Workstation, Paternoster Row, Sheffield S1 2BX. Conference organised by the Hunter Archaeological Society, the University of Sheffield and the Yorkshire Archaeological and Historical Society, supported by a grant from the Aerial Archaeology Fund.
Naseby Battlefield Interactive Tours
Saturday 29 March
Saturday 12 and Sunday 27 April.
Saturday 17 and Saturday 31 May.
Saturday 7, Wednesday 11, Thursday 12, Friday 13, Saturday 14 and Sunday 22 June.
Walk in the footsteps of those who took part in the Battle of Naseby in 1645. Tours last 4 hours and prices start at £25, booking essential. Go to www.naseby.com for more information.
Oundle Museum 2025
Museum opens from March until October, Saturdays and Sundays only, 10.00am-4.00pm.
Oundle Museum is in Mill Road, Oundle PE8 4BW. Go to www.oundlemuseum.org.uk for more information.
CBAEM Spring Conference 2025
Saturday 5 April at Ashby School, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire LE65 1DT.
Go to cbaem.archaeologyuk.org for more information and booking nearer the time.
Northamptonshire Heritage Forum
Sunday 27 April 2025, 10.00am-4.00pm Heritage Fair Northamptonshire North at Chester House Estate
Go to www.northamptonshireheritageforum.co.uk for more information about events and membership.
Geophysical surveying for HiFARS members
Next date tbc. Unfortunately the resistivity meter is out of action and waiting repair. If any HiFARS member wishes to join the team surveying the castle site in Higham Ferrers email hifars@gmx.co.uk for information.
Waendel Walk
Friday 9 - Sunday 11 May 2025
The 44th International Walk hosted by Wellingborough. Go to www.wellingboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk for more information.
UNAS Spring Conference 2025
Sunday 11 May 2025 at Hackleton, Northamptonshire.
Go to www.unas.org.uk for more information and to book tickets nearer the time.
ISE-Dig Talks 2025
Wednesday 14 May Murder and Mayhem in Medieval Leicester by Matthew Morris.
Talks start at 7.30pm and are held in St Andrew's Church Rooms, Crown Street, Kettering, NN16 8QA. ISE members £4, visitors £5, all welcome. Go to www.ise-dig.co.uk for more information.
Northampton Museum & Art Gallery
Saturday 24 May - Sunday 7 September 2025 A British Museum Touring Exhibition: Gladiators of Britain.
Go to www.northamptonmuseums.com for more information.
Great Fire of Northampton anniversary
Thursday 29 May Oak Apple Day Parade, followed by a service at All Saints Church, Northampton.
It has been 350 years since the Great Fire of Northampton, see local press for more information nearer the time.
Higham Ferrers 2025 Events
Saturday May Chichele Garden Fair
Go to the Higham Ferrers Tourism website, Facebook and highamferrers-tc.gov.uk for for more information about these events. Farmers' markets on the last Saturday morning of the month on the Market Square.
Irchester Field School Learning Programme 2025
Monday 16 June - Friday 4 July
Go to www.chesterhouseestate.org.uk for more information about the Irchester Field School run in partnership with the ARC and the University of Leicester. Bookings already being taken.
CBA Festival of Archaeology 2025
Saturday 19 July - Sunday 3 August
Theme: Archaeology and Wellbeing. Go to www.archaeologyuk.org for more information nearer the time.
HiFARS Archaeology Allsorts 2025
Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July in Chichele College, Higham Ferrers.
Irchester Parish Historical Society Talks 2025
Society usually meets the second Thursday of each month, members £2, visitors £4. Go to www.irchester.org for more information.
Northamptonshire Film Archive Trust 2025
Next date tbc at Chester House. Tickets £6, includes tea/coffee, go to www.chesterhouseestate.org for information and booking.
Films are shown at events around the county, go to www.northamptonshirefilmarchivetrust.co.uk for more information.
Northamptonshire Archaeological Society 2025
Next date tbc
Go to www.northants-archaeology.org.uk for information.
Bedford Guided Walks
Dates for 2025 tbc
Walks start at 11.00am and are between 90 minutes and 2 hours long, 1-2 miles in length. Walks are £4 and must be pre-booked. Go to www.bedfordtourguides.org for more information and booking.
Friends of Kettering Art Gallery & Museum 2025
Next date tbc Town Walk, £5 per person.
Kettering Museum and Gallery remain closed, go to the Friends Facebook page or www.friendskagam.org for information about their events, or visit ARTworks Creative Space in the Newlands Centre Kettering.
Higham Chichele Society Talks 2025
Next date tbc.
Talks start at 9.30am, doors open at 9.00am, in the Bede House, Higham Ferrers. Members £3, Visitors £4, includes refreshments, new members welcome. Go to www.highamchichelesociety.co.uk for more information. The annual subscription is £5 and due at the May meeting.
Northamptonshire Battlefield Society 2025
Next date tbc
Delapre Abbey, on the outskirts of Northampton, NN4 8AW, car parking is FREE. Go to www.delapreabbey.org for more information.
Sywell Aviation Museum and Sywell Aerodrome 2025
Next date tbc
Talks are £5 and are held in the Cirrus Room at the Aviator Hotel, go to www.sywellaviationmuseum.org.uk for more information.
The Higgins Bedford 2025
Next date tbc Portable Antiquities Scheme for Bedfordshire session. FREE but booking essential.
The Higgins, Castle Lane, Bedford MK40 3XD. Go to www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk for more information.
Chester House Estate
Next dates tbc Tours of the ARC (Archaeological Resource Centre), at 2.00pm FREE but please book via the website.
The Chester House Estate is near Irchester in Northamptonshire. Go to www.chesterhouseestate.org.uk for more information and booking.
Brixworth Lecture 2025
Date tbc
Go to www.friendsofbrixworthchurch.org.uk for more information and tickets which are £15.
