Heritage HubIrchester Field School Archaeological Experience 2025DescriptionThe Irchester Field School is a collaborative community research project that is central to a wide-ranging partnership between the University of Leicester and North Northants Council, based at the Chester House Estate (https://chesterhouseestate.org/). It encompasses research, learning, community engagement, wellbeing and enterprise. The University of Leicester team is coordinated through the University of Leicester Heritage Hub (https://le.ac.uk/research/natural-heritage/heritage-hub). The Chester House Estate is a unique free to enter heritage site. There is evidence for 10,000 years of human activity in the landscape, from flint scatters dating the Mesolithic (c. 10,000 to 4,000 BC) to a complex of traditional farm buildings dating back to the 17th century. Within the Estate lies one of the best preserved walled Roman small towns in Britain, known as Irchester. At present, much of this heritage is buried; the challenge is to bring it to life and tell its stories. The Archaeological Resource Centre (ARC) is a state-of-the-art facility located within the Chester House Estate, which is the new archaeological archive repository for the whole of Northants. The excavationsIn June and July, the University of Leicester’s School of Archaeology and Ancient History (SAAH) and University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS) conduct archaeological excavations in partnership with volunteers and staff from the Chester House Estate and the ARC. Archaeological survey and excavations are revealing houses, workshops and cemeteries, allowing us to better understand the lives of the town’s inhabitants. The Irchester Field School is a long-term collaborative project that supports local community and school involvement in archaeological research. The collaboration is enhancing our understanding of this archaeologically rich landscape, and is helping to make archaeological research and archives accessible and engaging.
Archaeological experience We are offering a limited number of places to University of Leicester students / alumni / Chester House Estate volunteers who are not taking a fieldwork module but would like to join us to gain additional experience. The cost for us to offer this experience is £250/week (NOT including accommodation). However, we are offering a Pay What You Can pricing model which helps us remove barriers and make archaeology accessible. You can pay a minimum of £100/week, but if you can pay the full (£250) recommended price or more (up to a maximum of £500/week) it helps us to continue our work and our ability to offer more Pay What You Can experiences for those who use it. Please make sure that your chosen week/s have been approved via email before booking (please contact Irchesterfs@le.ac.uk). Depending on numbers we may be able to offer shorter experiences (@ £50/day) (please contact Irchesterfs@le.ac.uk).
Week 1 16 -20 June @£250 Week 2 23-27 June @£250 Week 3 30 June-4 July @£250
Deadline for bookings Friday 28 March
What is included? On-site tuition, including excavation and on-site recording, finds processing and archiving. All equipment, learning materials and a certificate of completion from the University of Leicester. Instruction from a team of enthusiastic and supportive staff from the University of Leicester School of Archaeology and Ancient History and University of Leicester Archaeological Services. Opportunities to work alongside staff and volunteers from the Chester House Estate and Archaeological Resource Centre, and University of Leicester staff and students at a nationally significant site.
What is not included International travel to and from the UK Academic credits from the University of Leicester Travel within the UK Travel or medical insurance Visa costs, if applicable Accommodation (see below) Meals or refreshments between meals (food/drink is available to purchase at the Chester House Estate) Personal spending money
Accommodation A fully catered camping option is offered by our partners at the Chester House Estate. Camping is available from Sunday 15 June until Friday 4 July. Please do not book accommodation until you have received confirmation and paid for your place on the Irchester Field School experience programme. Once you have received confirmation of your place, camping can be booked via this link: https://chesterhouseestate.digitickets.co.uk/category/61025
Health and safety You are required to hold medical insurance (if you are from outside the UK) You may be asked to work outside in varied weather conditions You must read the risk assessment and follow all directions for site safety and protocols for your own safety and for the safety of others around you You are required to bring your own suitable clothing and footwear. Both the University of Leicester and the Chester House Estate hold public liability insurance. You will receive further information about the site and the programme at least one month before the start of the Field School. If you have specific requirements, queries or concerns please contact us at: Irchesterfs@leicester.ac.uk
Dates The excavation will run from Monday 16 June – Friday 4 July 2025.
Payment Terms Please note that your booking will not be confirmed until we are in receipt of this information and payment has been made.
Refund and Cancellation policy
Please note that after 1 June refunds will not be considered due to costs incurred. Irchester Field School Archaeological Experience 2025 (external)DescriptionThe Irchester Field School is a collaborative community research project that is central to a wide-ranging partnership between the University of Leicester and North Northants Council, based at the Chester House Estate (https://chesterhouseestate.org/). It encompasses research, learning, community engagement, wellbeing and enterprise. The University of Leicester team is coordinated through the University of Leicester Heritage Hub (https://le.ac.uk/research/natural-heritage/heritage-hub). The Chester House Estate is a unique free to enter heritage site. There is evidence for 10,000 years of human activity in the landscape, from flint scatters dating the Mesolithic (c. 10,000 to 4,000 BC) to a complex of traditional farm buildings dating back to the 17th century. Within the Estate lies one of the best preserved walled Roman small towns in Britain, known as Irchester. At present, much of this heritage is buried; the challenge is to bring it to life and tell its stories. The Archaeological Resource Centre (ARC) is a state-of-the-art facility located within the Chester House Estate, which is the new archaeological archive repository for the whole of Northants. The excavationsIn June and July, the University of Leicester’s School of Archaeology and Ancient History (SAAH) and University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS) conduct archaeological excavations in partnership with volunteers and staff from the Chester House Estate and the ARC. Archaeological survey and excavations are revealing houses, workshops and cemeteries, allowing us to better understand the lives of the town’s inhabitants. The Irchester Field School is a long-term collaborative project that supports local community and school involvement in archaeological research. The collaboration is enhancing our understanding of this archaeologically rich landscape, and is helping to make archaeological research and archives accessible and engaging.
Archaeological experience We can offer a limited number of places to students at other organisations at a cost of £375/week (NOT including accommodation).
The excavation will run from Monday 16 June – Friday 4 July 2025.
How much does it cost?The cost is £375 per week (Monday-Friday) not including accommodation/food (see below). How do I book?Please email Irchesterfs@le.ac.uk with details of your preferred dates. Once dates have been agreed / approved you can book your place.
Week 1 16 -20 June @£375 Week 2 23-27 June @£375 Week 3 30 June-4 July @£375
What is included?On-site tuition, including excavation and on-site recording, post-excavation processes and archiving. All equipment, learning materials and a certificate of completion from the University of Leicester. Instruction from a team of enthusiastic and supportive staff from the University of Leicester School of Archaeology and Ancient History and University of Leicester Archaeological Services. Opportunities to work alongside and learn from staff and volunteers from the Chester House Estate and Archaeological Resource Centre and University of Leicester staff and students at a nationally significant site.
What is not includedInternational travel to and from the UK Academic credits from the University of Leicester Travel within the UK Travel or medical insurance Visa costs, if applicable Accommodation (see below) Meals or refreshments between meals Personal spending money
Accommodation A fully catered camping option is offered by our partners at the Chester House Estate. Camping is available from Sunday 15 June until Friday 4 July @£40/day Please do not book accommodation until you have received confirmation and paid for your place on the Irchester Field School experience programme. Once you have received confirmation of your place, camping can be booked via this link: https://chesterhouseestate.digitickets.co.uk/category/61025
You are required to hold medical insurance (if you are from outside the UK) You may be asked to work outside in varied weather conditions You must read the risk assessment (which you will receive in advance) and follow all directions for site safety and protocols for your own safety and for the safety of others around you You are required to bring your own suitable clothing and footwear (see appendix below). Both the University of Leicester and the Chester House Estate hold public liability insurance. If you have specific requirements, queries or concerns please contact us at: Irchesterfs@leicester.ac.uk
Payment Terms Please note that your booking will not be confirmed until we are in receipt of this information and payment has been made.
Refund and Cancellation policy
Please note that after 27 May refunds will not be considered due to costs incurred. |
