Family Fun in the South West for the Festival

There is lots going on at English Heritage properties in the South West as part of the Festival of British Archaeology!

As the summer holidays get underway, uncover the secrets of the past at Old Sarum’s ever-popular Archaeology Weekend on 24 and 25 July. Also running from 24 to 30 July in the stunning setting of Tintagel Castle is a special Archaeology Week.

Archaeology Weekend

Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 July, 10am to 5pm

Old Sarum, Wiltshire

The Archaeology Weekend is your chance to meet real archaeologists, get to grips with seldom seen local relics and enjoy the rare opportunity to view items of stonework from Old Sarum, Ludgershall Castle and Cleeve Abbey, which are normally kept in our archaeology stores. Kids can get their hands dirty in a sand-pit excavation and find out how the experts uncover and record treasures from the past. They can also build their own replica castles and cathedrals, with a helping hand from the Young Archaeologists Club. On Sunday 25 July, Phil Harding from Channel 4’s Time Team will also be demonstrating the lost art of flint-knapping, showing how our ancestors cleverly crafted tools from stones.

Archaeology Week

Saturday 24 to Friday 30 July, 11am to 5pm

Tintagel Castle, Cornwall

At Tintagel Castle’s Archaeology Week there’ll be fun activities for adults and children alike, and a chance to learn more about the history of Tintagel through the artefacts uncovered at the site. Children can be trainee archaeologists for the day, discovering finds and learning how to process them. Plus, adults can have a go at dowsing, see displays of finds and speak to our experts.

Tintagel’s wonderful location, set high on the rugged North Cornwall coast, offers dramatic views, and its fascinating ruins and stunning beach cafe make it a perfect day trip, ideal for those on holiday in Dorset, Cornwall or Dartmoor.