The programme for this year’s Festival of Leicestershire and Rutland Archaeology has been announced. Members of the public are invited take part in the UK’s largest archaeology festival and help bring our past to life.
From Saturday 15 July-Sunday 30 July over 80 events will be held across Leicestershire and Rutland celebrating the rich and diverse heritage of the two counties.
The Festival in Leicestershire is supported by the University of Leicester who will be holding a number of events during the Festival and over the summer.
The programme is packed with a fascinating array of have-a-go events, talks and guided tours from some of the county’s leading archaeological and historical experts.
Visit the University excavations at Bradgate House to see the results of the third year of a five year programme of investigation into the history of Bradgate Park.
Attend talks about recent discoveries at Oakham Castle and Leicester Castle, by the archaeologists who led the excavations, or join a community archaeology dig at Market Bosworth or Beaumont Leys.
Mathew Morris, Project Officer at University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS), said: “The University is really pleased to be able to support the Festival of Archaeology again this year. The Festival is a chance to showcase the best of British Archaeology and get people involved in their local heritage, said Mathew.
“Every year, Leicestershire and Rutland put on more events than any else in Britain, testament to the fantastic commitment to archaeology our counties’ organisations, societies and community groups have.”
Peter Liddle, Festival convenor, commented: “We are extremely pleased with the programme of events this year, especially the range of talks and guided walks, which give people a chance to explore their local heritage with the county’s leading archaeological and historical experts.”
“There is something for everyone, and we are extremely pleased this year that we have more have-a-go events than ever before, giving people a chance to get involved in excavating and recording their county’s unique history.”
Whether it’s discovering the ‘Brilliant Bronze Age’ at Charnwood Museum in Loughborough, excavating a hidden section of the Roman Fosse Way with Hinckley Archaeological Society, going to a talk on Oakham or Leicester Castle, taking a tour of St Mary’s Church in Bottesford, walking the Swannington Incline, the Midlands first railway, or having a go at archery with the Vikings of Middle England, there’s something for everyone.
To see the full list of events, please visit: leicsfieldworkers.co.uk/festival-of-archaeology/
