Heritage Open Days at Stanwick Lakes – Explore 10,000 Years of History!

Saturday 20 September | 10am–4pm

Less than two weeks to go! Heritage Open Day at Stanwick Lakes is back, and this year we’ve packed the day with an exciting mix of living history, heritage crafts, demonstrations, family activities and opportunities to explore the fascinating history of the site.

But what exactly is Heritage Open Days?
Heritage Open Days is a national festival celebrating history, culture and the places that make our communities special. Each year, thousands of events take place across England, giving people the chance to discover stories, buildings, collections and traditions that they might not otherwise get to experience.

We’re proud to have supported the festival at Stanwick Lakes for the past three years, and this year there is plenty to see and do!

From Iron to Empire

Our exciting From Iron to Empire heritage project is continuing. Supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project is bringing the story of Stanwick’s journey from the late Iron Age into the Roman period to life.
Our volunteers will be working on our Roman kiln and Bronze Age boat jetty, giving visitors the chance to see these projects taking shape. The Roman kiln is also being prepared for its first pottery firing in October, so you can meet some of the team and find out more about what they have been making.

Over in the Weavers Barn, our spinners, weavers and dyers will be demonstrating traditional natural dyeing techniques, with opportunities for you to have a go too. As part of our Roman project, they’ve been experimenting with different plants, materials and colours to explore what people in Roman Britain could actually have worn.

So, did Roman Britons really wear togas? And was purple really an impossible colour to create? Come along and find out!

Romans, Vikings and living history

Fancy stepping further back in time?

We’ll be joined by the Longthorpe Legion Roman Group, who will bring Roman Britain to life with their living history camp. Discover more about the Roman army, its travels and what everyday life may have been like in Britain during the Roman period.

Then, fast-forward a few hundred years and you’ll find the Bifrost Guard Vikings at their camp, with traditional crafts and demonstrations throughout the day.
Of course, in real life these two cultures would not have met in quite this way. But for Heritage Open Day, they’ll be camped side by side. We wonder what they’ll make of each other!

Blacksmith Demonstrations

In our large Craft Barn, watch heritage metalworker John Wills work his magic with metal as he demonstrates the traditional art of blacksmithing.
John is hugely passionate about his craft and will be showing visitors how raw metal can be transformed using heat, skill and traditional techniques. There will also be an opportunity to buy some of his small handmade pieces to take home.

Heritage crafts for all the family

There’s plenty for younger visitors to get stuck into too!
Our family craft tent will be full of activities inspired by the natural world and the history of Stanwick Lakes. Make your own colourful dragonfly, inspired by the insects that call our lakes home, have a go at basket weaving using colourful raffia, or create your own bullrush nature weaving, collecting natural materials from your visit to decorate your creation.

Explore our Heritage Gardens

Take a wander through our beautiful Heritage Gardens, where plants help tell the story of Stanwick’s past.
From Iron Age plants used for natural dyeing to medieval flowers chosen for their beautiful scents, the gardens create a living timeline through history. They have been created and cared for by our wonderful volunteers, who continue to experiment with plants and traditional uses.
Don’t forget to visit the Garden Stall, where you’ll find a selection of wonderful handmade items and products created by our volunteers using produce from the gardens.

Discover the history of medical care in Northamptonshire

A new exhibition for 2026!
Inside the Visitor Centre, head to the Solstice Suite to discover a fascinating exhibition from the Northampton Medical Archive.
This dedicated team of volunteers cares for an incredible collection of medical records and histories dating back to the 1700s. Their work helps preserve the history of healthcare in Northamptonshire, while also bringing to light the stories of the local people who experienced it.
From remarkable medical cases to stories of patients whose experiences might otherwise have been forgotten, the collection offers a fascinating glimpse into the changing world of medicine and healthcare.

Explore Stanwick’s 10,000-year story

And, of course, no visit would be complete without exploring the wider heritage of Stanwick Lakes.
Step inside our Heritage Museum in the Visitor Centre to see real archaeological artefacts discovered here and discover more about the people who have lived, worked and thrived in this landscape for more than 10,000 years.
Then head outside and make your way to our Bronze Age Round Barrow, the last surviving ancient monument on the site. It is a remarkable reminder of the prehistoric landscape that once stood here, when the valley was filled with monuments built to remember and honour the dead.
If you’d like to explore even further, our free Heritage Trail leaflets are available from Reception, helping you discover more of Stanwick’s fascinating past as you explore the wider nature reserve.

Come and explore!

From Roman soldiers and Viking camps to ancient crafts, archaeological discoveries, natural dyes, family activities and fascinating local stories, there really is something for everyone at Heritage Open Day.
Whether you’re a lifelong history lover, a budding archaeologist, a keen crafter, or simply curious about the place you’re visiting, come along and discover just how much history is hidden in the landscape around you.

Join us on Saturday 20 September for our Heritage Open Day at Stanwick Lakes 10am–4pm, and explore 10,000 years of history in one day!