The Heritage Museum

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Have you ever seen a mammoth tooth? A Roman Mosaic floor or a Stone Age polished axe head?

The Heritage Museum has been created to display the many artefacts that were found on the site during the extensive archaeological excavations in the 1980s. You will find displays that tell the story of the past settlers who have lived here over the last 10,000 years.

With amazing views over Solstice Lake, the Heritage Museum is also the perfect place to look out over our Bronze Age Round Barrow, an ancient scheduled monument. Volunteers, rangers and specialist contractors have been working hard to protect and restore the area, making the Round Barrow a feature in the landscape once again.

Our Mission

The Heritage Museum was established to display the many artefacts that were found on the site during these extensive archaeological excavations. These remarkable finds help tell the story of the rich and varied history of what lies beneath our feet at Stanwick Lakes.

Heritage should be open to all, and the Museum is a space to engage visitors and local communities in the extraordinary history of the area through an accessible space, collections, learning programs and events.

Discover 5,000+ years of history at Stanwick Lakes

Rich History

Before quarrying works started in the 1980’s, several archaeological excavations unearthed a wealth of history dating from the Neolithic through to Medieval (4000BC – 1450AD).

The archaeological excavation areas consistently expanded, becoming one of the UK’s largest and most nationally significant archaeological sites.

The following settlements were uncovered which provided evidence of almost continuous human activity in the valley for over 5000 years.

Neolithic (3700Bc – 3500BC)

Bronze Age (2000BC – 1500BC)

Iron Age (400BC – 43AD)

Roman (250AD- 410AD

Saxon & Norman (95AD – 1154AD)

Medieval (1154AD- 1450AD)

The Museum

With beautiful views over Solstice Lake, the Heritage Museum is the perfect place to explore the story of the past settlers who have lived here over the past 5,000+ years.

The Collections

Every artefact on display tells its own story of the past, stories that can show us more about the daily life, habits and rituals of the settlers in this ancient valley.
Spot these items in our museum collection, and see what stories you can discover.

Bronze Age Beaker

Shards of a Bronze Age (date) Beaker Pot, placed devotedly in a Round Barrow burial over 4,000 years ago.

Roman Samian Pot

The beautifullly made base of a Roman Samian pot – the best of the best and most certainly the finest pottery of the Villa household, complete with potter’s stamp

Ancient Clothing Accessories

Every day fashion in the form of hair pins, brooches and clothing decorations, discovered in the deserted Medieval village of West Cotton.

Stone Axe Head

The highly polished stone axe head, dating back to the Neolthic period.
A tool that would have taken its owner hundreds of hours to shape, sharpen and polish, only to be left in a ditch of a Long Barrow burial. Was it left behind as an offering, or was it lost?

Heritage Projects

Exploring our rich heritage extends far beyond the walls of our museum.
Thanks to the commitment of the Heritage team alongside enthusiastic volunteers and partners, we have created spaces across the Stanwick Lakes site that helps tell our heritage story.

From Iron to Empire – Exploring the Roman Era of Stanwick Lakes 2025 – 2027

Thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, this exciting project will explore the Roman era, using interactive projects across the site to uncover and share the stories of a changing landscape and the people who once called it home.

Projects:

Roman Pottery Kiln
We’ll be creating a replica kiln inspired by Iron Age and Roman methods, offering us the chance to experiment with ancient techniques, understand trade and technology, and see how Romans shaped material culture.
Villa Viewpoint
The main Roman villa may no longer be visible above ground, but a new area overlooking the villa’s location will create a space of learning, providing a connection to the villa and helping us tell the story of its design.
Exploring Roman Textiles
The Spinners, Weavers and Dyers will be exploring Romano-British textiles, experimenting with dyes, fibres, and weaving to understand the culture and materials that would have been used and worn in Britain during the Roman era.
Roman Garden: Experimental Planting
Volunteers will research and grow plants used during the Iron Age and Roman periods, supporting our understanding of their cultural and practical uses within the historic landscape including food, medicinal and ritual.
Causeway Construction
Inspired by ancient wetland engineering – and with materials sourced sustainably from the site – we will build a causeway using a mix of traditional and modern techniques. This will open up previously less-accessible areas for wildlife, reflection, and learning.
You can learn more about this project here:
From Iron To Empire – An exciting new Heritage Project begins! | Stanwick Lakes

NV5000 – Bronze and Iron Age History 2022 – 2025

Construction of an Iron Age settlement and second roundhouse
Restoration of the Bronze Age Round Barrow, an Ancient Scheduled Monument – visible from our Barrow Viewing Point in the museum
Exploring ancient textiles and creating Iron Age clothing with the Northants Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers
The Big Bronze Age Boat Build – building replica Bronze Age log boats with ancient tools.
Imagine an ancient history of the waterways, with a woven willow coracle frame made by volunteers and a replica Bronze Age log boat on display, kindly loaned by Dr James Dilley of Ancient Craft who we are partnering with for our Bronze Age Boat Build project.

You can find out more about these heritage projects here.

Coming in 2026…

Exhibitions / displays:

- “When In Rome”
  Roman Life in the Stanwick Lakes Valley – artefact exhibition
- Beyond the 100
  Discover our chosen artefact for the extended 100 Objects exhibition in conjunction with Northampton Museum and Art Gallery
- Medieval Mysteries – Saturday 28th February
  Who was Norman Morris, and where was he found?
  Learn how to play the Medieval Game of Nine Men’s Morris with Phil Gorf from Illuminatio.
  Free children’s Museum Scavenger Hunt!

Digital Access:

Explore the history, heritage and projects via modern technology and digital screens

Heritage Museum Tours

Would you like to organise a tour for your group?
We are able to offer group tours of the museum and artefacts by a member of the Heritage Team, which can also include a visit to some of our heritage areas around the site.

The Heritage Museum is also included in every history school visit booked though our educational program here at Stanwick Lakes.

To find out more, please email heritage@rftrust.org.uk

Partnerships

We have established heritage partnerships with a number of groups and individuals, working together to preserve and display historical artefacts, making them accessible to the public.