Explore the Remarkable History Hidden Beneath Our Landscape

This autumn, visitors will have the opportunity to uncover some of those incredible stories through a series of fascinating heritage talks led by two renowned historians and archaeologists. As part of our From Iron to Empire project, the talks will explore how archaeological discoveries from Stanwick Lakes and across Northamptonshire have transformed our understanding of Britain’s past.

Whether you’re already passionate about history or simply curious about the stories hidden beneath our landscape, this series offers an engaging introduction to some of the most significant periods in British history.

Discover the Stories Beneath Our Feet

Stanwick Lakes may be best known today for its wildlife, walking trails and family activities, but the site also holds an extraordinary archaeological legacy.

Before gravel extraction began in the 1980s, extensive archaeological excavations uncovered a remarkable sequence of remains including Neolithic barrows, Bronze Age burial mounds, Iron Age roundhouses, a substantial Roman villa, and Saxon, Norman and medieval settlements. Together, they paint a picture of a landscape that has been occupied, used and transformed over thousands of years.

Our new Heritage Talk Series will bring these discoveries to life, helping visitors understand how the past has shaped the landscape we enjoy today.

Expert Speakers, Fascinating Topics

The talks will be delivered by Professor Stephen Upex and Dr Michael J Curtis, both recognised experts in their fields and experienced communicators of Britain’s archaeological history.

The series begins on 3 September with Professor Stephen Upex’s talk, Bronze Age Burials and Ceremonial Landscape. Exploring a time of major social change, the talk will look at how communities farmed, buried their dead and worshipped, and how these developments can still be traced through the archaeological landscape today.

On 8 October, Professor Upex returns with The Roman Invasion of AD 43 and the Conquest of Britain, examining why the Romans came to Britain, how the invasion unfolded, and the lasting impact it had on the country.

In November, Dr Michael J Curtis will explore Understanding Roman Northamptonshire, drawing on archaeological discoveries from Stanwick Lakes and across the county. The talk will reveal how Northamptonshire was transformed following the Roman conquest, becoming a landscape of thriving settlements, villas, industries and road networks. Visitors will also learn about some of the remarkable finds uncovered locally, including the spectacular Roman villa mosaics discovered at Stanwick Lakes.

The series concludes on 1 December with Northamptonshire Villas and Life in the Countryside, an exploration of how Roman villas developed from simple farmsteads into impressive estates, and what they can tell us about wealth, status and everyday life in Roman Britain.

Connecting Local Discoveries to National History

One of the most exciting aspects of the series is the way it links local archaeological discoveries to events and developments that shaped Britain as a whole.

The artefacts and archaeological remains uncovered at Stanwick Lakes are not just of local importance. They help historians understand wider changes in society, from Bronze Age communities and ceremonial practices through to Roman occupation and the development of rural settlements.

By connecting these discoveries to the broader story of Britain, the talks will offer a new perspective on the remarkable history hidden within the Nene Valley.

Thanks to National Lottery Heritage Fund Support

The Heritage Talk Series has been made possible thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, helping us to share the rich heritage of Stanwick Lakes with new audiences and inspire greater appreciation of the site’s archaeological significance.

Talk Dates

3 September, 2pm to 3pm
Bronze Age Burials and Ceremonial Landscape
Professor Stephen Upex

8 October, 2pm to 3pm
The Roman Invasion of AD 43 and the Conquest of Britain
Professor Stephen Upex

3 November, 2pm to 3pm
Understanding Roman Northamptonshire
Dr Michael J Curtis

1 December, 2pm to 3pm
Northamptonshire Villas and Life in the Countryside
Dr Michael J Curtis

If you’ve ever wondered who lived here before us, how they shaped the landscape, or what archaeologists can learn from the traces they left behind, these talks are not to be missed.

To find out more or book your place, visit the Stanwick Lakes website.