Celebrating Heritage at Stanwick Lakes: A Look Back at 2025

As we look back on 2025, it truly has been a remarkable year for celebrating heritage at Stanwick Lakes. With support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we proudly marked the successful completion of our heritage project exploring the Bronze Age and Iron Age history of the site, bringing history to life in unforgettable ways:

• – The Big Bronze Age Boat Build –a hands-on experimental archaeology project where volunteers recreated ancient log boats using replica bronze tools and prehistoric techniques
• – Restoration of our Bronze Age round barrow, preserving this important monument for future generations.
• – The exploration of ancient textiles with the Northants Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers, giving visitors the chance to connect with the skills and creativity of our ancestors.
• – Creation of an Iron Age settlement, now a hugely popular learning space for schools and home education groups.

This fantastic heritage project culminated in a week-long photographic exhibition, charting the story of Stanwick Lakes from quarry works to archaeological excavations. Alongside this, a programme of engaging heritage talks and activities brought the site’s history vividly to life.
You can continue to explore the legacy of this project in our heritage videos on YouTube (link here).

We were thrilled to celebrate two major achievements this year—winning Best Volunteer Project at the 2025 Northamptonshire Heritage Forum Awards, and being named winners in the 2025 Archaeological Achievement Awards, where the Big Bronze Age Boat Build was honoured for Engagement and Participation.

Over 250 people joined our heritage and traditional craft courses in 2025, learning skills that help keep traditional crafts alive. From weaving to woodworking, these courses play a vital role in preserving knowledge that connects us to our past and to our natural surroundings.

Our popular events, including Heritage Open Days and Midwinter, welcomed communities and visitors throughout the year. Thank you to everyone who joined us, supported our work, and helped celebrate the heritage of Stanwick Lakes.

None of this would have been possible without the passion and dedication of our volunteer teams and partners. From gardening and construction, to creating and maintaining our heritage spaces, their tireless work ensures that Stanwick Lakes, and it’s significant history, continues to inspire and educate.

As we step into 2026, we’re excited to be developing a new project that will continue to tell the heritage story of Stanwick Lakes. We can’t wait to share more soon – watch this space!