We’re now six months into our heritage project, and what a start it’s been! While the winter months were mostly about preparation and planning, the past couple of months have really flown by, and the work is well and truly underway – all thanks to the dedication, enthusiasm, and hard work of our intrepid volunteers.
Our last Heritage Build Weekend in February gave a fantastic boost to progress, and we can’t wait to welcome you to our next weekends to come and see the teams in action!
Replica Roman Kiln
Work has begun on our replica Roman kiln, with the kiln pit and stoke hole dug and ready for the next stages, overseen by archaeologist Derek Roberts of UDig. We have a large amount of clay to process – not just for the replica pots that will be made, but also for constructing the kiln itself. This has been a fascinating learning process, revealing just how much effort went into creating these kilns during the Roman era, particularly as they were a common sight on farming estates throughout the Nene Valley. We’ve also been collecting wood, ready for our first firing later this year, and have partnered with Woodnewton Workshops who will be recreating Roman-style pottery for use in the kiln and sharing their knowledge with our volunteer team throughout the project.
Big Bronze Age Boat Build (part 2) and the Jetty
At the boat build, work continues on the large lime log generously donated by Boughton House in 2025. Volunteers have also started constructing the jetty, with logs carefully cut and prepped using bronze replica tools. The jetty’s shape is beginning to take form on the lake behind the boat yard, and we look forward to continuing this work over the coming months with Dr James Dilley of Ancient Craft.
Villa Viewpoint
The space for our Villa Viewpoint has been surveyed and marked out, ready for work to start later this year. This area will offer a stunning view across Celtic Lake and the site of the large Roman villa that once stood there. Behind the scenes, we’ve been preparing reclaimed tiles and materials to create mosaics in this space, which will bring the villa’s history vividly to life.
Roman Garden
The gardens are blooming beautifully! Volunteers have been working hard in the Roman Garden, building raised beds and levelling the ground in preparation for gravel and paving. The plants will reflect species grown during the Roman era for food, medicinal, and cosmetic uses. This garden will also feature its very own mosaic and painted fresco – it’s going to be spectacular!
Textiles and Dyes
The Northants Guild of Spinners, Weavers, and Dyers have been experimenting with different materials and techniques, exploring how colours created with natural dyes last in sunlight and how they would have been applied to wool, linen, and cotton during the Roman era. Alongside the “ancient three” – woad, madder, and weld – native to Britain, they’ve also been testing indigo and spices like turmeric, showcasing the rich palette available in Roman times. They’re also researching what everyday people would have worn – because, spoiler alert, it certainly wouldn’t have been togas and sandals in the British weather!
The next few months promise an explosion of progress across all these exciting projects, and we would love for you to join us. Come and see history being built at our Heritage Build Weekends and events this year – meet the teams and discover how the Roman history of Stanwick Lakes is being brought to life.
Heritage Build Weekends
- 30th & 31st May
- 4th & 5th July
- 1st & 2nd August
Find our more here: https://stanwicklakes.org.uk/events/heritage-build-weekends-2026/2026-05-30/
Events – save the dates!
- Festival of Archaeology (18th July – 2nd August) – our August Heritage Build Weekend falls during this national celebration of archaeology. We’ll be running activities alongside the build weekend; keep an eye on our website for details. You can also explore the full national festival programme at www.archaeologyuk.org/festival.
- 20th September – Heritage Open Days – we’re taking part in England’s largest festival of history and culture (11-20 September). We’ve already registered our event; find us directly on the Heritage Open Days website.
