On the ground

Ilam Park: Festival of Archaeology Weekend Dig

Multiple dates and times available

Join us for a special weekend of hands‑on heritage as Derbyshire Scouts lead a live archaeological dig in the parkland. Across two days, six test pits will be excavated, with Scouts uncovering, cleaning and recording finds on site. Visitors can watch the dig in action, chat to the young archaeologists and learn more about Ilam Park’s past.


Two activity gazebos will offer something for all ages, including replica Roman pottery handling, clay coil‑pot making, and mini sand‑pit excavations for younger children. Encouraging budding archaeologists make their own discoveries!


Test Pit Tours Meet the team and hear what’s being uncovered.


Saturday: 1pm, 2pm, 3pm


Sunday: 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm


Activities run 10:30am–3pm each day. 

Location

Ilam Park, , Ilam, , Ashbourne, , Derbyshire, DE6 2AZ, United Kingdom

Schedule

Sat, 18 Jul

10:00 AM

|

3:00 PM

Sun, 19 Jul

10:00 AM

|

3:00 PM

Duration of event

2 DAYS

Additional fee information

Car parking charged £6 for up to 4 hours, £8 all day.