What's on
Festival of Archaeology
Saturday, July 18, 2026
to Sunday, July 19, 2026
- Location: All Museum
- 10am - 4pm
-
Donation entry (suggested £5 per person) | Children free
Festival of Archaeology 2026
A Weekend of Discovery
The Festival of Archaeology returns bigger and better than ever. Join us for two days packed with hands-on experiences, live demonstrations, expert talks, and activities for all ages.
Whether you’re an archaeology enthusiast, a curious family, or someone discovering archaeology for the first time, there’s something to captivate everyone.
What to expect
Explore fascinating displays, meet leading archaeologists and historians, and get hands-on with activities that bring history to life. From medieval living history camps to Tudor falconry, from Roman shield-making to geophysical surveys of ancient sites – discover how we uncover the stories buried beneath our feet.
Featured experiences:
THE DIG – Unearth the Past. Discover the Mystery.
Grab your tools and become an archaeologist for the day!
Dig for hidden artefacts, investigate real archaeological finds, record your discoveries, crack the mystery hidden beneath the ground.
Every discovery tells a story… what will you uncover?
House of Hound and Falcon
Step back into the mid-14th century with this living history group. Hear stories of medieval life, weapons, board games, calligraphy – and some rather gruesome medieval surgery!
Two Birds Experience
Get up close with Tudor falconry and meet a Harris Hawk, Red-tailed Buzzard and Barn Owl.
Salisbury Cathedral
Discover fascinating archaeological treasures from the cathedral’s collection.
Council for British Archaeology Wessex
Learn how to identify pottery and uncover the stories behind it.
Young Archaeologists Club
Make your own Roman shield.
Sir William Norris Household
Explore 15th century medieval crafts with willow flower-making, armour displays and astrology.
English Heritage
See the geophysical survey of Old Sarum and a special collection of animal bones.
Time Travellers Kitchen
Discover how the Crusades influenced English food culture with live demonstrations throughout the weekend.
Plus many more…
Friends of Clarendon Palace, Cotswold Archaeology, Ancient Wessex Network, Avon Valley Archaeological Society, Wiltshire Museum, Portable Antiquities Scheme, Medieval Arrowsmith and Knife Forging, Wandering Musician (early dance music on pipe and tabor), Wiltshire Scrap Store (hands-on crafting for younger visitors), and food, drink, and music throughout the weekend.
Highlight events (pre-booking advised, additional cost)
Shadowlands – Matthew Green
Saturday, 14:30
Historian, writer and broadcaster Matthew Green explores the hidden world of medieval England.
Archaeological Illustration Workshops – Jemma McCardle
Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
Learn the art of archaeological illustration from professional illustrator Jemma McCardle.
Note: Phil Harding’s talk on Sunday is sold out. We apologise for any disappointment.
Full programme: (subject to change)
Saturday 18 July
| Time | Event |
| 10:00 | Festival opens |
| 10:30 | Archaeological Illustration workshop, with Jemma McCardle (pre-booking, additional cost) |
| 10:30 | Armouring of a Knight, with Sir William Norris |
| 11:15 | Still in the Red Zone? History of the Red Kite, with Two Birds Experience |
| 11:45 | Barber Surgery, with House of Hound & Falcon |
| 12:30 | Crusades and English Culinary, with Time Travellers Kitchen |
| 13:00 | Archaeological Illustration workshop, with Jemma McCardle (pre-booking, additional cost) |
| 13:15 | Armouring of a Knight, with Sir William Norris |
| 14:00 | Tudor True or False, with Two Birds Experience |
| 14:30 | TALK: Shadowlands, with Matthew Green (pre-booking required) |
| 15:00 | Crusades and English Culinary, with Time Travellers Kitchen |
| 15:45 | Calligraphy, with House of Hound & Falcon |
| 16:00 | Festival closes |
Sunday 19 July
| Time | Event |
| 10:00 | Festival opens |
| 10:30 | Archaeological Illustration workshop, with Jemma McCardle (pre-booking, additional cost) |
| 10:30 | Armouring of a Knight, with Sir William Norris |
| 11:15 | Raptor Ranking – Falconry in Tudor Society, with Two Birds Experience |
| 11:15 | Upton Lovell Shaman – new evidence of a Bronze Age gold worker, with Wiltshire Museum |
| 11:45 | Barber Surgery, with House of Hound & Falcon |
| 12:30 | Crusades and English Culinary, with Time Travellers Kitchen |
| 13:15 | Armouring of a Knight, with Sir William Norris |
| 14:00 | Falconry Jargon – Can you speak like an austringer? with Two Birds Experience |
| 14:30 | TALK: Here Comes the Sun – Recent findings at Bulford, with Phil Harding (SOLD OUT) |
| 15:00 | Crusades and English Culinary, with Time Travellers Kitchen |
| 15:45 | Calligraphy, with House of Hound & Falcon |
| 16:00 | Festival closes |
All events are free unless otherwise stated.
Includes entry to museum galleries.
Well-behaved dogs welcome in outdoor areas only.
