Huttons Ambo Landscape Project and International Field School 2026

Location: 4627+3P Malton, UK

Season: July 11, 2026 to July 26, 2026

Application Deadline: July 1, 2026

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://www.wdhuk.com/

Program Type:
Field School, Volunteer, Staff Position

RPA Certified:
No

Project Director:
Rianca Vogel MA

Project Description:

Come join us at Huttons Ambo, a beautiful rural and ancient village between the City of York and Malton both hotbeds of amazing archaeology.

The aim of the project is to establish the character, form and extent of archaeology that was identified by a comprehensive Geo Physics survey carried out in 2023 as well as targeted trenches in 2024 and 2025 that uncovered Iron Age, Roman and Medieval archaeology including building structuresfrom the 13th to 14th Century.

The History and Archaeology
The village of Huttons Ambo is about 14 miles (22.5 km) north-east of York and 3 miles (4.8 km) south-west of Malton. It consists of the villages of High Hutton and Low Hutton.  It lies just 4 miles (5km) from the large Roman Fort in Malton

The villages are mentioned in the Domesday book as Hotun in the Bulford hundred. The lands were divided between Cnut, son of Karli, Thorkil and Thorbrand son of Kalri. After the Norman invasion, the lands were split between the King and Berengar of Tosny.

The land at Low Hutton owned by the King, has been named Hutton Colswayn, whilst the land near Hutton Hill has been known as Hutton Mynchon. The land at High Hutton has been known as Hutton Bardolf. All these suffixes indicate the names of the landowners of those times. The Colswayn family may have been given the land by the Crown for duties performed guarding York Castle. The titles passed on to the Bolton family.

The other lands came into the possession of the Gower family, some of whom held the office of High Sheriff of York, such as Sir Thomas Gower. Memorials to members of this family can seen in the Church.

The name Hutton, derives from the Old English hōh tūn, meaning settlement on or by the hill spur. Ambo, the suffix, is Latin indicating the combination of the two villages into the one parish.

Excavations in the 1950s revealed evidence of 12th- or 13th century fortified buildings at the south end of the village of Low Hutton near the river, which is now an Ancient Scheduled Monument. The excavations also identified Roman occupations in the way of coins, pottery and ditches.

Huttons Ambo also lends its name to a specific type of Medieval pottery produced here in the 13th Century. Consisting of large, unglazed storage jars it is a short distance to the major Roman potteries at Crambeck. The excavations hope to cast more light on the Huttons Ambo pottery industry and its location.

The project will provide a unique opportunity to look at a Village that dates back to over 6000 years and is recorded in the Doomsday Book. The project will be using the most up to date archaeological techniques under the supervision of experienced and highly qualified archaeologists.

It will allow investigation of archaeological features that have been identified as well as caring out further work in other areas of the village. Excavations carried out by Ethos Heritage CIC in 2023 , 2024 and 2025 uncovered significant amounts of Iron Age, Roman and Medieval Pottery. The excavations uncovered a 13th Century stone building , a large stone drain dating to the 16th Century with stone recycled from a 13th Century building. In addition a feature surrounded by a large Ditch and Bank was identified that produced Romano British pottery dating from the 1st to 3rd Century

The focus with this years project will be on the following:

1.  Investigation of a flat area surrounded by a bank and ditch that initial excavations suggest it could date to Romano British era.  This feature was the focus of detailed geophysical survey which identified features that would suggest the presences of wooden buildings and pits.  Evacuations in 2024 confirmed the features were archaeological and pits were identified.  Large amounts of Iron Age and Roman pottery were uncovered pointing to the presence of as yet unknown Romano British feature possible a Round House  or rural farmstead.  To investigate this area for 2026, two 10 X 10 Meters will be put in to investigate.  In addition, a trench will be placed across the bank and ditch to confirm its date, function and size.
2.  Continued Geophysics Survey of the parish using a variety of techniques including Drones, Metal Detecting, Magnetometer and Resistivity.  This is to allow us to identify any other archaeology  features especial those connected with the large earthworks connected with the fortified manor alongside our excavations.  In addition we will use our boat to take participants on the river to see the landscape from the point of view of a the way peopled travelled normally until the mid 19th century and the coming of the railway

It’s hoped that these investigations will allow an assessment of the significance of Huttons Ambo, and its potential for further exploration on a site of regional importance within the UK.

Costs:

Excavations 

Participants who wish to attend the project will have a variety of options to choose from as follows:

1.  Attend just for the excavations selecting as many or as few days as you wish. Cost is £32 (£25 for students/unemployed) per day
2.  Attend 7 days at a reduced cost of £220 or £160 for students/unemployed. This includes all tools/equipment, toilets, Wi Fi, an indoor  eating area to eat and socialise including a Bar. This also includes tools, lectures, activities, and entertainment during the week.

Accommodation
We offer two accommodations options if you wish to stay on site or nearby.

1. Camping with full facilities is provided adjacent to the site with amazing views across the Howardian Hills, an area of outstanding natural beautiful, and overlooks the famous Derwent River. Its only 5mins walk from the excavation area.

The the camping area is in a lovely location 200m from the excavations. It has a large marquee to act as a eating area and a social hub for participants

We have a well-equipped kitchen with a food preparation area, for the production of meals In addition, it has a gas cooker,  fridge, dishwasher and serving area. The camping site was eco toilets with male and female options . Additionally, will have 3 dedicated showers for our participants within the camping area

We can provide a loan of a tent for a small charge (£15 for the week or £20 for 2 weeks) for people coming in from abroad. This is a two-person tent and will be for a participant’s sole personal use.

A separate camping section is provided for all participants who are under 18 who attend without an adult.

The cost per day for camping will be £16 (under 16 are free).

There is an option to stay in local Hotels, B&Bs or Lodges close to the village. We can help you with this if required. However, you will be responsible for own transport to site from this accommodation (we can lend a bike if required)

Feeding
Participants who are staying with us will have the option of full board for the days they are staying. This will include a breakfast with a variety of options including Fruit, Cereal, Toast, Eggs, and hot options. Snacks will be provided as well. Lunch will be a variety of hot or cold options plus a variety of drinks. Dinner will be a hot option including potatoes, pasta, rice, vegetables and a variety of drinks.

We provide for all dietary requirements including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan. All meals will be taken in the village halls indoor dining area. For people who which to cook their own food an area will be provided on the camp site to do so and you can eat in the village hall indoor dining area.

People who wish to bring their own food there is an covered eating area with washing facilities

A washing area with hot water will be provided for all to enable them to wash their eating utensils.

The cost per day for feeding will be £16 which is full board.

 

Costs Summary:

Excavation: All tools and equipment provided

• £32 per day
• £25 for students or unemployed
• £220 for 7 days
• £160 for Students or Unemployed
• Under 16 Free, with an adult

 

Field School (5 days teaching plus 2 days excavating)

£270

Accommodation

• £16 per day including  all facilities (Showers, Wi Fi, Toilets, Indoor Hall, Bar)  Tent can be provided if required

Feeding

£16 per day Full Board  (Caters for all dietary and religious requirements)

 

Other Details

Transport Links To The Site

• Car: There is ample parking in the village in our dig car park (Car hire nearby)
• Bike: There is a cycle path to the village
• Train: The nearest train station is Malton which is 3.1 miles or 4.9 KM ( You can get a scheduled bus to the village easily (once an hour)
• Bus: The is a bus stop in the village and on the main road just 15 mins walk to the village. Some buses will drop you in the village which is 2 mis walk from the camp site

Buses go once an hour from Malton and from York

We can advise and assist with transport from any part of the UK or if arriving in by Plane.

 

Supermarkets, shops and bars

The following are in Malton (3.1 miles or 4.9 KM)

1. Morrisons
2. Lidl
3. Sainsbury
4. Asda
5. Wide variety of shops, petrol stations and bars
6. Laundry

Transport from the project will be going in to town most days and we can provide a lift if required.

The project will be running a small shop and bar in the village hall providing items that participants may need.

 

Phone Reception and Wi-Fi

Phone reception is very good with all network providers. In addition, we will have free Wi-Fi with the village system and another free option with the mobile provider Three.

Phone (Laptop/Tablets) charging is provided free of charge to all participants staying with us.

 

Eco Policy

The project operates a carbon neutral policy and where possible uses solar electricity, full recycling of all our waste, vegetarian/vegan options.

We provide free fully eco-friendly and recyclable period products

Safeguarding

All Ethos Heritage CIC staff are DBS (|UKs official criminal and safeguarding checks) cleared, safeguarding trained, and a trained safeguarding officer in place. Our staff are all First Aid trained and are qualified in Mental Health

Period(s) of Occupation: Neolithic Bronze Age Iron Age Roman Saxon/Viking Medieval

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 2

Minimum Age: Non if with an adult

Experience Required: None

Room and Board Arrangements:
Camping with self catering or full board available. Tents can be provided if required

Academic Credit:
None