What's new

Please check the relevant websites and social media for confirmation and last-minute changes to the events listed here.

Chester House Estate

13, 18, 20, 25 and 27 August Tours of the ARC (Archaeological Resource Centre), FREE but please book via the website.

The Chester House Estate is near Irchester in Northamptonshire. Go to www.chesterhouseestate.org for more information and booking.

Rushden Historical Transport Society

Saturday 15 August Pacer Driving Experience.
Saturday 29 - Monday 31 August Sausage & Cider Festival.
Saturday 19 September Model Weekend.
Friday 25 - Sunday 27 September Beer & Music Festival.

Heritage Railway, Transport Museum, Station Bar, Goods Yard, Shop & Buffet Carriage at the junction of Rectory Road and John Clarke Way in Rushden, Northants. Go to www.rhts.co.uk for more information and events. 

Middle Nene Archaeological Group (MidNAG)

Saturday 15 August - Saturday 29 August Nassington Excavation, registration opens on Saturday 30 May.

Meetings held in The Glapthorn Room, Fletton House, Oundle, PE8 4JA. Go to www.midnag.com for more information and applications forms for the excavation.

Bedford Guided Walks

Sunday 16 August and 20 September The Rise & Fall of Bedford Castle
Thursday 20 August and 24 September Tour of St Paul's Church
Sunday 23 August The Jewel in Bedford's Crown
Wednesday 26 August and 30 September Tour of St Peters Church
Thursday 27 August Explore Bedford cruise
Sunday 30 August and 4 October Movers and Shakers
Wednesday 2 September The Life & Times of John Bunyan
Sunday 6 September Plaques & Plinths
Sunday 13 September I Never knew that
Sunday 27 September Bedford in WWII

Walks start at 11.00am and are between 90 minutes and 2 hours long, 1-2 miles in length. Walks are £4 and must be pre-booked. Go to www.bedfordtourguides.org for more information and booking.

Wrest Park

Archaeological Collections Store Tours on 17 August, 7 and 21 September, 5 and 19 October.

Wrest Park is in Silsoe, Bedfordshire, MK45 4HR. Go to www.english-heritage.org.uk for more information, prices and opening times.

 Delapré Abbey Events and Tours

Monday 17 August A Portrait of Passion: Scandal, Secrets & Society at Delapre Abbey.
Friday 4 September Unusual Happenings Tour
Sunday 13 September Heritage Open Day: The Workers of Delapre Abbey.
Wednesay 16 September Heritage Open Day: The Workers of Delapre Abbey.
Thursday 17 September Heritage Open Day: The Workers of Delapre Abbey.
Sunday 20 September Heritage Open Day: The Workers of Delapre Abbey.

Go to www.delapreabbey.org for more information and ticket details for the tours, Family Fun Days, Friends of Northampton Castle Play Days, and other events. Delapre Abbey is on the outskirts of Northampton, NN4 8AW, car parking is FREE.

Northampton Museum & Art Gallery Talks

Tuesday 20 August 12.00-3.00pm Meet the Hitchhiking Historian - First World War.
Tuesday 25 August 12.00-3.00pm Meet the Hitchhiking Historian - Medieval England.
Thursday 17 September 10.30-12.00 Talk: Diary of an Agony Aunt by Tessa Simpson.
Thursday 1 October 10.30-12.00 Talk: Crown & County - Royal Northamptonshire by Kate Wills.
Thursday 15 October 10.30-12.00 Talk: Burke & Hare & the Body Snatchers by Donald Chiswell.

Thursday morning talks start at 10.30am, price £4, booking essential. Go to www.northamptonmuseums.com for more information and tickets.

Naseby Battlefield Tours

Sunday 23 August, Saturday 5 September

Walk in the footsteps of those who took part in the Battle of Naseby in 1645. Tours last 4 hours and prices start at £25, booking essential. Go to www.naseby.com for more information.

Higham Chichele Society Talks

Friday 28 August Roman Northamptonshire by Michael Curtis.
Friday 25 September Agatha Christie by Steve Dimmer.
Friday 30 October haunted Northamptonshire by Adrian Perkins.
Friday 27 November A History of Comedy Music by Kevin Varty.

Note that from May 2026 talks start at 10.00am (doors open at 9.30am) in the Bede House, Higham Ferrers. Members £3, Visitors £4, includes refreshments, new members welcome. Go to www.highamchichelesociety.co.uk for more information. The annual subscription is £7 and due at the May meeting.

Higham Ferrers 2026 Events

Saturday 29 August from 9.00am Town-wide Garage Sale.
Saturday 29, Sunday 30, Monday 31 August Share Photography exhibition in Chichele College.
Saturday 12 September Horticultural Show in Chichele College. Entry forms must be submitted by Monday 7 September.
Saturday 19 September Aim High Festival Charity event in Saffron Road Recreation Ground.
Saurday 19, Sunday 20, Wednesday 23 - Sunday 27 September Northants & Rutland Open Studios art exhibition in Chichele College.
Sunday 20 September 11.00am-5.00pm I Spy Rushden and Higham Ferrers, Heriatge Day at Rushden Lakes.
Saturday 31 October & Sunday 1 November Richard Wilding Group exhibition in Chichele College.
Sunday 8 November at 10.45am Remembrance Sunday on Market Square.
Saturday 21 November Sparkle townwide.

Go to the Higham Ferrers Tourism website, Facebook and highamferrers-tc.gov.uk for for more information about these events. Farmers' Markets on the last Saturday morning of the month on the Market Square.

Earls Barton

Saturday 29, Sunday 30 & Monday 31 August Earls Barton Transport Show

Earls Barton Heritage Group meet in the Library & Community Centre NN6 0ND at 7.30pm, visitors welcome.

UNAS The Upper Nene Archaeological Society

The Museum is open on Sundays in Summer 2.00pm-5.00pm, in Winer 2.00pm-4.00pm. Adults £5. The Piddington Villa Museum, 24 Chapel End, Piddington, Northamptonshire NN7 2DD.

Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group Talks

Summer programme info accessible via their website 

Talks are held in Garden Room at St Matthews Church Hall, off Kettering Road, Northampton at 7.30pm. FREE to NIAG members, visitors welcome £3. Go to www.niag.org.uk for more information.

Northampton Museum & Art Gallery

Until Sunday 31 August Exhibition: Humans of NC.
Until Sunday 31 August Exhibition: The Art of Art.
Until Sunday 10 October Exhibition: I Grew up 80s.
Until Sunday 18 October Exhibition: From the Collection: Drawings.

Go to www.northamptonmuseums.com for more information.

Olney Archaeological Society Talks

Tuesday 1 September Fragments: The Opportunities and Pitfalls of Attributing Archaeological Relics by Dr Jonathan Foyle.
Tuesday 15 September Lady Jane Grey's House by Peter Liddle
Tuesday 6 October The Late Great Manor House at Kingston Lacy, Dorset by Dr Martin Papworth.

Lectures are at the Olney Centre, Olney in Buckinghamshire, 10.00am-12.00 noon. Note that some lectures are remote and will be shown on screen. Price £4 for visitors, go to www.mkheritage.org.uk/oas/ for more information and membership.

The Higgins Bedford

Until Wednesday 2 September 2026 Exhibition: Noel Carrington, nothing need be ugly.
Wednesday 30 September, 1.00pm-3.00pm Portable Antiquities Scheme for Bedfordshire session. FREE but booking essential.
Until Sunday 4 October Exhibition: Exploring Bedfordshire's Kilns: An Industry Revealed.

The Higgins Museum, Castle Lane, Bedford MK40 3XD. Go to www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk for more information.

Stanwick Lakes

Thursday 3 September at 2.00pm Heritage Talk by Prof Stephen Upex: Bronze Age Burials and ceremonial Landscape. Booking essential, tickets from £8.
Friday 4 September 10.30am-1.30pm Finds Friday with Northants Finds Liaison Officer Eleanor Cox.
Sunday 20 September from 10.00am Heritage Open Day and Heritage Build Day (From Iron to Empire).
Thursday 8 October at 2.00pm Heritage Talk by Prof Stephen Upex: The Roman Invasion of AD43 and the conquest of Britain. Booking essential, tickets from £8.
Tuesday 3 November at 2.00pm Heritage Talk by Dr Mikael Curtis: Understanding Roman Northamptonshire. Booking essential, tickets from £8.
Tuesday 1 December at 2.00pm Heritage Talk by Dr Mikael Curtis: Northamptonshire Villas and Life in the Countryside. Booking essential, tickets from £8.

Go to www.stanwicklakes.org.uk for information.

British Museum Exhibitions

Thursday 10 September 2026 - Sunday 11 July 2027 Exhibition: The Bayeux Tapestry.

British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG. Go to www.britishmuseum.org for more information.

Oundle Historical Society Talks

Friday 11 September Body Snatchers & the Body Trade by Elizabeth Hurren.
Friday 9 October Northamptonshire Historic Environment Record by Charlotte Walker.
Friday 13 November Peterborough & the Peasants Revilt of 1381 by Stuart Orme.
Friday 8 January 2027 Bannarenta, Romano-British fortified Town by Steve Young.
Friday 12 February What is Local History by Max Schurer.

Talks start at 7.30pm in Oundle Methodist Church, Drummingwell Lane, Oundle. Visitors £5. Go to www.oundlehistoricalsociety.org.uk for more information.

We Have Ways Fest

Friday 11-Sunday 13 September

Second World War living history and talks hosted by Al Murray and James Holland at Blackpit Farm, Silverstone Road, Stowe, MK18 5LJ. Go to www.wehavewaysfest.co.uk for more information and tickets.

Heritage Open Days 2026

Friday 11 - Sunday 20 September

Go to www.heritageopendays.org.uk for more information nearer the time.

Northamptonshire Film Archive Trust

Thursday 17 September at 2.00pm Films Across the Ages, at the Chester House Estate in the Courtyard, £6.
Thursday 19 November at 2.00pm Railway films at the Chester House Estate in the Courtyard, £6.

Films are shown at events around the county, go to www.northamptonshirefilmarchivetrust.co.uk for more information.

Rushden & District History Society

Friday 18 September Alpha to Omega, the lost language of headstones by Kevin Varty
Friday 16 October The Great Train Robbery by Nick Cooke.
Friday 20 November Pioneering Women in Aviation by Debbie Land.
Friday 18 December Convalescing at Cottesbrooke Hall during WWI by Helen Frost
Friday 15 January Entrepreneurs who changed Rushen by Andrew Presland.

Talks start at 7.30pm at Whitefriars School, Boughton Drive, Rushden NN10 9HX. Visitors welcome, £2.50 on the door. Go to www.rdhs.org.uk for more information.

Northamptonshire Heritage Forum

Wednesday 23 September Forum meeting at Daventry.
Wednesday 7 October Networking meeting.
Saturday 24 October History Day 2026 - Blisworth: The Past is Ever Present hosted by the Blisworth Heritage Society. Places limited, open to NHF members until 1 September, then non-NHF members with closing date of 5 October. Tickets £27.50 (includes refreshments and lunch).
Sunday 25 October Northamptonshire Day at Kettering Market Square.

Go to www.northamptonshireheritageforum.co.uk for more information about events and membership.

Rockingham Castle

Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September Autumn Artisan Fair

Rockingham Castle is near Corby, LE16 8TH. Check www.rockinghamcastle.com for 2026 opening times and events.

CBA East Midlands

Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September CBA Members Weekend, visit sites in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, tickets £90.
Saturday 17 October A Celebration of Volunteer Archaeology, starts at 11.00am with a walk in Bradgate Park, Leicestershire.
Saturday 14 November Autumn Conference at Allestree Woodlands School, Blenheim Drive, Derby.

Go to www.cbaem.archaeologyuk.org more information about the Council for British Archaeology East Midlands events.

Northamptonshire Record Society

THE NRS hold document workshops in the NRS Library at Northamptonshire Archives, Wootton Hall Park, Northampton showcasing and explaining some of the records. Go to www.northamptonshirerecordsociety.org.uk for more information and to book a place as numbers are limited. Price £10 per person, sessions start at 10.00am. 

Saturday 3 October postponed 18th Century Poor Law and Settlement Records by Deborah Hayter.

Kimbolton Castle

Sunday 4 October 1.00pm-4.00pm. Public Open Day.

Kimbolton Castle, Kimbolton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28 0EA. Go to www.kimboltoncastle.com for more information and tickets.

Peterborough Museum 2026

Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday Priestgate Vaults Tours.

Go to www.peterboroughmuseum.org for more information about events and tours.

Finedon Local Historical Society Talks 2026

Monday 26 October Northampton's County Buildings by Richard Blacklee.

Talks are at 7.30pm in the Mission Room, Well Street, Finedon, NN9 5JP. FLHS members £2.50, visitors £3.50. Go to www.tingdenetofinedon.co.uk for more information.

Sulgrave Manor & Garden

Open now for Summer 2026 New Exhibition George Washington - Relics & Representations.
Pop-up talks on Mondays & Tuesdays at noon.
Friday 30 October Twilight Tour
Saturday 5 December Candlelight Christmas

Sulgrave Manor, Manor Road, Sulgrave, Banbury, OX17 2SD. Go to www.sulgravemanor.org.uk for more information.

Oundle Museum

Museum open for the Summer 2026 season until end of October, Saturdays and Sundays only, 1.00pm-4.00pm.

Oundle Museum is in The Courthouse, Mill Road, Oundle PE8 4BW. Go to www.oundlemuseum.org.uk for more information. Theme for 2026 is 'More of Oundle's villages'. FREE entry but donations welcome.

Annual Brixworth Lecture 2026

Saturday 7 November at 5.00pm tbc Letter Writing in Early Medieval Mercia by Dr Peter Darby

All Saints Church, Church Street, Brixworth, Northampton NN6 9BZ. Go to www.friendsofbrixworthchurch.org.uk for more information and tickets.

Irchester Parish Historical Society Talks

Society usually meets the second Thursday of each month, members £2, visitors £4. Go to www.irchester.org for more information.

Northampton Central Library

Next date tbc Carnegie Talk

Northampton Central Library is in Abington Street, Northampton NN1 2BA. Go to the Facebook page for more information.

Northamptonshire Battlefield Society

Next date tbc 

Talks start at 7.30pm at Delapre Abbey, on the outskirts of Northampton, NN4 8AW. Go to www.delapreabbey.org and www.northantsbattles.com for more information.

Northamptonshire Archaeological Society

TBC Next event.

Go to www.northants-archaeology.org.uk for information.

CBA Council for British Archaeology

Next date tbc Online talks

Go to www.archaeologyuk.org for more information about the Council for British Archaeology online talks.

Wellingborough Museum

Next date tbc

Wellingborough Museum, Dulley's Baths, 12 Castle Way, Wellingborough, NN8 1XB. Museum open Monday to Saturdays 10.00am-4.30pm. Go to www.wellingboroughmuseum.co.uk for more information. 

Wellingborough Civic Society Talks

Next date tbc

Talks are usually at 7.00pm in the Dulley Rooms, Wellingborough Museum, 12 Castle Way, Wellingborough NN81XB. Visitors £3.

Sharnbrook Local History Group Talks

Next date tbc

Talks held at 2.00pm in the Methodist Church, Sharnbrook but go to www.slhg.org.uk for more information.

Abington Park Museum in Northampton

Next date tbc, starts at 2.00pm Guided tour.

Volunteer-led tours of the Museum, £3.50 each person, booking essential. Go to www.northamptonmuseums.com for more information about tours and exhibitions at Abington Park Museum.

Raunds & District History Society Talks

Next date tbc

Talks start at 7.00pm in Raunds Library, £3 includes refereshments, all welcome.

Kettering Civic Society

Next date tbc 

Go to www.ketteringcivicsociety.net for more information.

University of Leicester Heritage Hub

Next event date tbc

Go to www.le.ac.uk for more information.

ISE-Dig Talks

Next date tbc

Talks start at 7.30pm and are held in St Andrew's Church Rooms, Crown Street, Kettering, NN16 8QA. ISE members £4, visitors £5, all welcome. Go to www.ise-dig.co.uk for more information.

Burton Latimer Heritage Museum

Next exhibition tbc

Harold Mason Centre, 120 High Street, Burton Latimer, NN15 5RH

Northampton Civic Society

Next date tbc Committee meeting.

Meetings and talks at The Humphrey Rooms, 10 Castilian Terrace, Northampton NN1 1LD.

Friends of Kettering Art Gallery & Museum

Next date tbc Town Walk, £5 per person.

Kettering Museum and Gallery remain closed, go to the Friends Facebook page or www.friendskagam.org for information about their events, or visit ARTworks Creative Space in the Newlands Centre Kettering.