Summer Hours: The carpark is locked at 7pm. The Visitor Centre closes at 5pm. Café is open until 3pm, or 4pm during weekends and the school holidays.//
Please note, the waterplay feature is closed Monday mornings for routine cleaning and maintenance.
Participate in a variety of art and craft courses, including oil painting, watercolors, silk batik painting, and glass fusions, as well as traditional and heritage courses like blacksmithing and dry stone walling, with sessions available on various dates throughout the year. For modern art and craft courses - take a look at our course listings. […]
2-Day Stained Glass Workshop Course Overview: This two-day course gives you an introduction to the traditional method of stained-glass making. This course in traditional method of stained-glass construction will give you an insight into this ancient craft. You will be fully guided through the process and given lots of tips, tricks, insight, and appreciation of […]
The talk Water Vole Reintroduction at Stanwick Lakes and Beyond. An overview An overview of the ecology, history, importance, and future of water voles by reserve ranger Isaac Manley. With the exciting news that Stanwick Lakes will reintroduce Water Voles, this talk explains their current UK status, how we got there and how the UK […]
The HERDS is a groundbreaking public art and climate initiative designed to inspire action and renew our bond with the natural world. From April to August 2025, life-size puppet animals will sweep through city centres on a 20,000km journey from the Congo Basin to the Arctic Circle, bringing together the worlds of arts and science […]
This free-to-enter exhibition will explore the heritage journey spanning over 40 years at Stanwick Lakes, from archaeological excavations and quarrying activities to the creation of a nature reserve, visitor centre, and transformative heritage projects. The national significance of the site’s heritage was unearthed during early archaeological excavations prior to gravel quarrying, resulting in a large-scale […]
An overview: Between 2009 and 2012, the Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) excavated a later prehistoric palaeochannel at the Must Farm Quarry, Whittlesey, Peterborough. The excavations revealed the richness of the archaeological material preserved in the channel, including a group of nine exceptionally well preserved logboats which dated from the Middle Bronze Age to the Early […]
The talk Railway Stations of the old East Northamptonshire District Council An overview Over sixty years ago there were more than seventy railway stations serving their communities in Northamptonshire, and thirteen in East Northants. Today, the county has six whilst there are none locally. This illustrated talk looks at each of the thirteen local stations […]
Join Heritage Coordinator Nadia Norman for a heritage walk around Stanwick Lakes, exploring the fantastic areas created during the recent project exploring the Bronze Age and Iron Age history of the site. Taking on part of the Heritage Trail, the walk is a great way to explore both nature and heritage together. The walk is […]
An overview: Join Dr. James Dilley as he looks back at the highs, lows, spills and thrills of the Big Bronze Age Boat Build at the lakes. From amusing predicaments to exploring the role of prehistoric archaeology in today’s world. If you are interested in history, archaeology or crafts (and enjoy a laugh), this is […]
An overview: Join history enthusiast Tim Page as he shares photographic slides – on the original slide projector - of the Stanwick Lakes site as it was during the archaeological and quarry work excavations in the 1980’s and 1990’s. The photos, taken by past Stanwick village resident photographer and historian Ernie Head , are a […]
Step into the world of the Vikings! Explore our immersive living history camp, witness thrilling battles, and cheer on warriors in a one-on-one combat competition to crown the new king! Stroll through the trade stalls, treat yourself to unique treasures, and enjoy everything Stanwick Lakes has to offer. Unleash your inner Viking and be part […]
An overview: For five seasons, from the summer of 1985 to the autumn of 1989, with winter breaks, Andy and Pat Chapman were part of the excavation team at the deserted medieval hamlet of West Cotton, and the underlying prehistoric monuments. During the week they lived on site in a caravan along with their two […]
Join local bird watcher Bob Webster for a Sunday morning stroll around the nature reserve. Spot the migrant birds arriving at Stanwick Lakes by sight and listen out for their song – we may even be lucky enough to hear a cuckoo! This walk is suitable for both experienced and beginner birdwatchers. Binoculars provided. Booking […]
The talk The maritime archaeology of the Roman Empire encompasses the study of underwater cultural heritage related to ancient Roman maritime activities, including shipwrecks, port structures, and submerged settlements. This presentation looks at key sites such as the harbours of Ostia and Portus, the shipwrecks of the Mediterranean, and other provincial harbours and coastal settlements […]
Help us to check the nest boxes on the nature reserve at Stanwick Lakes and meet some baby birds! Every spring, Stanwick Lakes conducts nest box monitoring as part of our contribution to the British Trust for Ornithology’s (BTO) national bird population survey. Led by experienced nest recorders, trained by the British Trust for Ornithology […]
The talk Home Guard in Northamptonshire An overview This talk will examine how the Home Guard of the Second World War became such an affectionate part of the British national memory, with special reference to the history of the organisation in Northamptonshire. The speaker A knowledgeable speaker, Roger delivers his talk with insight and enthusiasm.
We are pleased to confirm that our popular Open Water Swimming sessions are returning from 23rd May 2025. Tickets are available now! Book here: https://stanwicklakes.org.uk/open-water-swimming-booking-page/ May Friday 23rd June Friday 6th Friday 20th July Friday 4th Friday 18th August Friday 1st Friday 15th Friday 29th September Friday 12th (Celebratory End of Season Night Swim!) Tickets […]
Join our rangers for a pond dipping session this half term! Using nets, trays and magnifying glasses and guided by one of our rangers, come and discover the creatures that live in the ponds at Stanwick Lakes! After a safety briefing and an introduction to the creatures we’re likely to find, we’ll head to the […]
Build a den at Stanwick Lakes this half term! A Ranger will lead your group to our den building area and introduce you to the tools and materials available, and we’ll discuss the main properties a shelter should have if it were to be needed in a survival situation! You’ll then be set a challenge, […]
Join the Ranger team in the Visitor Centre to hear about the work they have completed throughout the winter conservation season, their wildlife highlights so far, and their plans for the upcoming months. The talk will be followed by an optional wildlife-spotting walk around some of the key locations on site where conservation work is […]
Come along and join us for our 2nd run of the year here at Stanwick Lakes! You have a choice of running 5k, 10k or even pushing yourself to complete a half-marathon in the beautiful scenery of our lakes. It’s a lovely way to promote fitness for physical and mental health as well as supporting […]