Heritage Open Day at Stanwick Lakes
We’ve had so many messages from mums asking for something a bit different to do with the kids this month, and I think I’ve found it. Stanwick Lakes is turning back the clock on Sunday 20th September for Heritage Open Day, packing 5,000 years of history into one site, from Roman pottery kilns to a full Viking encampment.
Heritage Open Day runs from 10am to 4pm and is all about bringing the everyday lives of the people who once lived in the Nene Valley back to life. Rather than glass cases and information boards, this is hands-on, watch-it-happen history, which always goes down well with children who’d rather see a blacksmith at work than read about one.
What’s on across the day
There’s a lot packed into the reserve for the day, so it’s worth taking your time and working through it in whatever order suits your family:
- From Iron to Empire Project — watch experimental archaeology in action at the Roman kiln and the ongoing Bronze Age boat build, with demonstrations of how pottery, tools and vessels were made.
- Longthorpe Legion Roman Camp — explore what daily life looked like for soldiers and civilians in the valley nearly 2,000 years ago.
- Bifrost Guard Viking Camp — step into a Viking encampment and see the crafts, tools and skills of the period up close.
- Heritage Blacksmithing — watch blacksmith John Wills transform iron in the crafting barn using centuries-old techniques.
- Heritage Trail — follow the trail to find marker stones revealing 10,000 years of human activity across the Stanwick Lakes landscape.
- Heritage Gardens — find out how plants were used for food, medicine and dyes throughout history.
- Heritage Museum — discover artefacts and stories showing how local people lived, worked and shaped the landscape over time.
- Nature Crafts — hands-on craft activities running throughout the day for younger children.
Good to know before you go
The event runs on Sunday 20th September, 10am to 4pm, at Stanwick Lakes, Stanwick, Northamptonshire, NN9 6GY. Heritage Open Day is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and its players. Pricing and parking charges weren’t confirmed on the event listing, so it’s worth checking Stanwick Lakes’ website or calling ahead on 01933 625 522 before you set off.
If a day of history isn’t quite enough to fill your calendar, take a look at our roundup of things to do in Northamptonshire with the family for more ideas, and if you’d rather have events like this land straight in your inbox, our weekly What’s On newsletter rounds them all up for you.
