Udig: Stanwick Hall

Location: Stanwick Hall, Stanwick, Northamptonshire, NN9 6QY, United Kingdom

Season: May 4, 2025 to September 20, 2025

Session Dates: See website for up to date information or contact derek@udig.site

Application Deadline: September 18, 2025

Deadline Type: Contact for Details

Website: https://udig.site

Discount for AIA members: Yes, Contact derek@udig.site

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Dr Paul Stamper - Fellow of the society of antiquaries (FSA) Prof. Stephen Upex - Fellow of the society of antiquaries (FSA) and Member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (MCIFA)

Project Director:
Derek Roberts BSc (HONS)

Project Description:

Season 2024 was a success and preparation for Season 2025 is well under way. The 2024 Team , with exhaustive use of the mattock and trowel, exposed finds and features giving good insight into what may reside beneath the humps and bumps of Stanwick Hall’s Parkland.

The site produced a great amount of pottery which is producing a detailed picture of the site and seems to accord with our current understanding of the way in which medieval villages in eastern Northamptonshire developed and declined. The current spot dates based on the pottery evidence for destruction of the buildings at Stanwick suggests 14^th/ 15^th Century. Prof. Upex will be spending time analysing the pottery in detail over the next few months. This assessment should give us firm dates for the individual deposits and features revealed and sampled during the 2024 excavation, and thus refine and aid in our aims for 2025. Prof.  Upex will also assess and report on all the small finds (special finds; coins etc.), while the animal bone assemblage will be placed under the equally professional gaze of Dr Matilda Holmes, ending in an assessment report ready for insertion within the forthcoming End of Season Interim Project Report.

Over the next three to five years Udig Archaeology will be exploring the archaeologically rich landscape around Stanwick on the edge of Northamptonshire’s Nene Valley. It is offering opportunities to take part in the research excavations, with training from experts in all aspects of excavation, recording and finds processing.

Period(s) of Occupation: Mid-late Saxon Saxo-Norman Early - late post-medieval

Notes:
Team Passes: Group Bookings on all Team Passes options can be price negotiated by contacting derek@udig.site 2-Day Team Passes: Adult – 2-Day Meals not included, 17 year olds will require proof of consent to attend – £205.00 Child – 2-Day Meals not included, Under 17 year olds require 1 Adult booking per 2 children - £105.00 Adult – 2-Day – Food included, Meals provided over 2 days, 17 year olds will require proof of consent to attend – £264.00 Child – 2-Day – Food included, Meals provided over 2 days, Under 17 year olds require 1 Adult booking per 2 children - £159.00 Week Team Passes: All come with 3 x meals per day and free on site camping pitch: Adult Week Team Pass – 17 year olds will require proof of consent to attend - £795.00 Child Week Team Pass – Under 17 year olds require 1 Adult booking per 2 children - £795.00 Season Team Pass: (Do not include food which can be prebooked if required, contact info@udig.site or derek@udig.site) Adult Season Team Pass - Meals not included, 17 year olds will require proof of consent to attend – £1,800.00 Child – Season Team Pass - Under 17 year olds require 1 Adult booking per 2 children - £1,800.00

Project Size: 25-49 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: It is recommended that week slots are booked for a better learning experience

Minimum Age: 8 years

Experience Required: No experience required. Being part of the Udig: Stanwick Hall Team, will involve a ‘hands-on’ approach to learning all the basics of on-site archaeological processes from excavation through to post-excavation. This will involve getting your hands dirty in the trenches discovering finds, drawing and photography and helping to clean and record all finds from the excavation.

Room and Board Arrangements:
When joining us for the 2025 research excavation at Stanwick Hall, you’ll have a choice of accommodation options to suit your needs. You can bring your own tent, caravan or RV and enjoy the charm of camping on site where there is also a fully-equipped conference room, shower and toilets. For a little extra, rent one of our new canvas tents pitched ready for your stay. If you prefer the comfort of a hotel room, you can stay at the next door Stanwick Hotel at a subsidised rate. Alternatively, why not hire the on-site cottage? A stunning two-bedroom barn conversion with three bathrooms, two sitting rooms, a dining room and kitchen. The wonderful Stanwick Hotel adjoins the Stanwick Hall parkland so is within an easy 2-minute walk of the site. The Stanwick Hotel is also where you’ll eat breakfast and dinner and from where you’ll collect your packed lunch each day. Whatever, your preference, we’ve got you covered to ensure your stay is comfortable so that you can enjoy your time spent with us uncovering history.

Academic Credit:
Udig staff will use the Archaeology Skills Passport as a framework for the training. This record of learning will help support those who wish to access a career in archaeology, either to go onto further education or employment with an archaeological unit, although it is equally suited to keen enthusiasts or to those who simply want to try their hand at something different! Archaeology Skills Passports can be purchased prior or during their Team Pass. The skills passport is endorsed by CIFA Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, ATF Archaeology Training Forum and British Archaeological jobs and resources. Universities could be contacted to allow certain training elements to be undertaken to help achieve Academic Credits.