Information on Loughborough

Sites' secrets uncovered during festival

Posted on 14/07/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Community Services

13 July 2009

Sites' secrets uncovered during festival

The secrets of Leicestershire’s most important historic sites will be uncovered during the county’s Festival of Archaeology.

Visits to a medieval barn, a Norman castle and an historic colliery are among the attractions of the two week event, which covers Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland.

Highlights include:

  • A chance to visit the Newhouse Grange medieval barn in Sheepy Magna – used by the monks of Merevale Abbey, 500 years ago and still in use as a barn today. Tours take place from 10am till 4pm on July 18.
  • Guided walks to the earthworks of Leicestershire’s finest Norman motte and bailey castle, in Hallaton – at 1pm on July 18 and July 25.
  • Guided walks and digs at the former Alabama Pit, Gorse Field, Swannington, at 2pm on July 19 and July 26.
  • Tours of the Iron Age hill forts at Bury Camp, Ratby (July 19), Burrough Hill (July 20), Beacon Hill (July 24) and Breedon (July 28) and the monuments and earthworks of the Upper Welland Valley (July 23 and July 30).

Hands-on activities include:

  • Test pits at Vine House Farm, Hinckley (July 18 and July 25).
  • Flint knapping at Rutland County Museum (July 19).
  • Garden digs at Great Bowden (July 25 and 26).
  • Pottery making at Jewry Wall Museum, Leicester (July 28).
  • A finds identification day at the Old Rectory, Loughborough (July 25).

Ernie White, Leicestershire’s Cabinet member for better places, said: “This is a fantastic programme with something for everyone across the fortnight of activities.”

There are 50 events – for full details, see www.leics.gov.uk/archaeologyfestival

For further details or media interviews, please contact Pete Liddle on 0116 305 8326.

Background:

Key sites in each district include:

  • Charnwood – Beacon Hill
  • Harborough – Hallaton Castle, Papillon Hall Farm near Lubenham
  • Hinckley and Bosworth – Bosworth Battlefield, Newhouse Grange medieval barn
  • Melton – Burrough Hill
  • North West Leicestershire – Breedon Hill and Church, Donington le Heath Manor House, Grace Dieu Priory, Gorse Field, Swannington.