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

29 October Tours of the ARC (Archaeological Resource Centre), FREE but please book via the website.
Saturday 29 November Heritage Workshops Roman Jewellery and Medieval Bookbinding.
Sunday 30 November Heritage Workshops Roman Jewellery and Medieval Bookbinding.

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

Bedford Guided Walks

Wednesday 29 October The Jewel in Bedford's Crown.

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.

Ghost Walks at the Guildhall, Northampton

Thursday 30 October at 7.00pm and 8.30pm. £15 tickets from Eventbrite.

Northamptonshire Battlefield Society 2025

Thursday 30 October The Spendthrift Election by Graham Evans.
Thursday 27 November Eleanor of Aquitaine by Sara Cockerill.

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.

Higham Chichele Society Talks 2025

Friday 31 October Living in the Middle East by Paul Mackay.
Friday 28 November History of Christmas food by Ria Jefferies.

Talks start at 9.30am, doors open at 9.00am, 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 £5 and due at the May meeting.

Middle Nene Archaeological Group (MidNAG)

Friday 31 October at 7.30pm RAF Alconbury Talk by Jeff Hawley. 

Meetings held in The Glapthorn Room in Oundle. Go to www.midnag.org.uk for more information.

Northampton Museum & Art Gallery

Now until Sunday 8 February 2026 Exhibition: A History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects.

Go to www.northamptonmuseums.com for more information.

MK Archaeology Day

Saturday 1 November 10.00am-12.30, talks from 1.00pm. Free event at The Church of Christ the Cornerstone, Milton Keynes MK9 2ES.

Northamptonshire Record Society 2025

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 1 November People and Places: Unlocking the secrets of the census by Margaret Hawkins.
Saturday 6 December Researching the hstory of parks and gardens by Jenny Burt.
Saturday 7 February A brief history of English maps and how to read them by Bill Franklin.
Saturday 7 March Looking at manorial records of Northamptonshire by Wendy Raybould.
Saturday 11 April Eighteenth Century Poor Law and Settlement records by Deborah Hayter. 

CBA EM Autumn Conference 2025: Leicester Cathedral Revealed

Saturday 1 November 10.00am-4.30pm

Leicester Cathedral Revealed: a transformational project by Simon Bentley, Leicester Cathedral.
Leicester Cathedral Revealed: uncovering a slice of Leicester's life by John Thomas and Alice Forward, ULAS.
What's in a name? Combining archaeological evidence with historical records to identify an individual by Amber Furmage, ULAS.
Engaged? Creating an archaeobotannical display within the Leicester Cathedral loos by Rachel Small, ULAS and Francesca Pellegrino, Leicester Cathedral.
The animal bones from the Cathedral by Will Johnson-Moss, ULAS.
Health, diet and death: stories from medieval Leicester by Malin Holst, York Osteoarchaeology.
Revealing the lives of Leicester's inhabitants by Sarah Inskip, University of Leicester.
Laid to rest - burial practices in medieval and post-medieval Leicester by Mathew Morris, ULAS.

Sir Bob Burgess Building, University of Leicester, Welford Road, Leicester LE2 6BF. Tickets £20, students £12.50, lunch is included. Booking deadline is Tuesday 28 October.

42nd Annual Brixworth Lecture 2025

Saturday 1 November at 5.00pm

Pastoral Provision and the Benedictine Reform in 10th Century England: A context for Brixworth by Prof Joyce Hill, University of Leeds Professor Emerita at All Saints Church Brixworth, Northamptonshire. Go to www.friendsofbrixworthchurch.org.uk for more information and tickets which are £12.

Northampton Annual Fireworks Sectacular

Saturday 1 November. Held at the Racecourse, remebering the Great Fire of Northampton in 1675, also showing a new film about Northamptonshire's connections to the Gunpowder plot.

Delapré Abbey Events and Tours 2025

Until Sunday 2 November Exhibition - The Final Flight: The 1945 Lancaster Bomber Crash at Delapre.

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.

Olney Archaeological Society Talks 2025

Tuesday 4 November Medieval Landscapes: Beyond the Castle Gate by Dr James Wright.
Tuesday 18 November From Aurochsen to Abbey by Prof David Jacques.
Tuesday 2 December Arthur's Stone by Prof Julian Thomas.
Tuesday 16 December My Roman Britain by Patrick Lambert.
Tuesday 6 January 2026 Roman Kings & Gentlemen by Oliver Gilkes.

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 2025

Tuesday 4 November Lunchtime Talk Thomas Patch by Hugh Belsey.
Wednesday 26 November 1.00pm-3.00pm Portable Antiquities Scheme for Bedfordshire session. FREE but booking essential.
Wednesday 28 January 1.00pm-3.00pm Portable Antiquities Scheme for Bedfordshire session. FREE but booking essential.
Friday 27 February Lunchtime Talk Noel Carrington by Joe Pearson.
Wednesday 25 March 1.00pm-3.00pm Portable Antiquities Scheme for Bedfordshire session. FREE but booking essential.

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

Northampton Museum & Art Gallery Talks 2025

Thursday 6 November Northamptonshire's Post 1945 Roll of Honour by Guy Voice.
Thursday 4 December Operation Exodus & the fate of Lancaster Bomber PD339 by Bill Lockerbie.
Thursday 18 December Music, Musicals and a Merry Christmas by Frances Coombs.

Thursday morning talks start at 10.30am, price £3.50, booking essential. Go to www.northamptonmuseums.com for more information and tickets.

Northamptonshire Film Archive Trust 2025

Thursday 6 November, 1.30pm for 2.00pm start. Cine Pot Pourri at the Chester House Estate.

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

Northampton Civic Society

Thursday 6 November Committee meeting.
Thursday 4 December Committee meeting.

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

Higham Ferrers 2025 Events

Thursday 6 November Quiz Night.
Sunday 9 November at 10.45am Service of Remembrance on the Market Square.
Saturday 22 November 11.00am-6.00pm Sparkle Santa's grotto, fun fair, stalls, refreshments and entertainment, lights switch on at 5.00pm.

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.

Raunds & District History Society Talks 2025

Thursday 6 November Forging Ahead, Operation Bernhard by Steve Dimmer.
Thursday 4 December The Raunds March by RDHS.
Thursday 5 February From Blacksmith to Dental Surgeon by Dr Mike Muncaster.
Thursday 5 March Northamptonshire Railway Talk by Andy Dyks.
Thursday 2 April History of the Pork Pie by John Paul Carr.
Thursday 7 May Lotions, Potions and Dubious Cures by Susan Copperwheat.

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

Naseby Battlefield Tours

Saturday 8 November

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.

Irthlingborough Historical Society 2025

Tuesday 11 November at 7.00pm All Saints 60. Exhibition and talk celebrating the rediscovery of All Saints Church, Irthlingborough at the Methodist Church Hall, Irthlingborough NN9 5TU. £3 on the door.

Go to www.erdiburn.org for more information.

ISE-Dig Talks 2025

Wednesday 12 November What we can learn from Samian by Steve Sharpe.
Wednesday 10 December Anglo-Saxon Leicestershire and Rutland by Peter Liddle.
Wednesday 14 January What do we see in the Shadows? by Peter Masters.

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.

Oundle Historical Society Talks 2025

Friday 14 November BB's Summer on the Nene by David Osborne.

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

Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group Talks 2025

Friday 14 November AGM and Northamptonshire's Industrial History by Peter Perkins.
Friday 12 December Northamptonshire's Wind and Water Mills by Trevor Stainwright.
Friday 13 February History of the 384th Bombardment Group by Matt Smith.
Friday 13 March Bookbinding Past & Present by Graham Lampard.

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.

Peterborough Museum 2025

Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday Priestgate Vaults Tours.

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

Northampton Central Library 2025

Saturday 15 November at 2.00pm The Hidden History of Rural Northamptonshire by Alex Howe, Chair of Northampton Civic Society. FREE but booking essential.
tbc Next Carnegie Talk

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

Sharnbrook Local History Group Talks 2025

Wednesday 19 November Great Estates by Pamela Birch, Bedford archivist.

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

CBA Council for British Archaeology

Thursday 20 November at 7.00pm This is Archaeology, Zoom talk - Voices from the Future.
Thursday 4 December at 7.00pm This is Archaeology, Zoom talk - Dig the Castle with Emily Wapshott.
AGM and de Cardi Lecture by Dr Anwen Cooper Saturday 21 February 2026 in York.

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

Rushden & District History Society Talks 2025

Friday 21 November Bedford's Architectural Heritage by David Fowler.
Friday 19 December Christmas Customs by Sharn Matthews.

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.

Stanwick Lakes

Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November Christmas Frost Fair.
Sunday 14 December 11.00am-3.00pm Festival of Midwinter.

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

Finedon Local Historical Society Talks 2025

Monday 24 November AGM and Kelmarsh Hall & Parish by Mike Stroud.

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.

Kettering Civic Society Talks 2025

Saturday 29 November 3.00pm-5.00pm A Christmas Carol perfomed by James Hornsby at St Botolph's Church, Barton Seagrave, NN15 6SR. Adults £10, Children £5.

Talks throughout the year are at 7.30pm in Village Hall, Barton Seagrave. Visitors £6.

Burton Latimer Heritage Museum

Thursdays and Saturdays, 10.00am-1.00pm, until Saturday 6 December

Exhibition: Who Cares for your Past - a celebration of 25 years of Burton Latimer History Society at the Harold Mason Centre, 120 High Street, Burton Latimer, NN15 5RH

Wellingborough Civic Society Talks 2025

Thursday 15 January Nostalgic Cine Films by Northants Film Archive Trust.
Thursday 16 April The Great Fire of Northampton by Kate Wills, Northampton Civic Society.

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

Sulgrave Manor & Garden 2026

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

Wrest Park 2025

Starting again in April 2026 Archaeological Collections Store Tours starting at 11.00am and 1.00pm.

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

Heritage Fair Northamptonshire 2026

Sunday 26 April 10.00am-4.00pm

At Wicksteed Park, Kettering NN15 6NJ. A partnership event supported by Wicksteed Park, Northamptonshire Family History Society and Discover Northamptonshire.

Oundle Museum

Museum opens again in Spring 2026, Saturdays and Sundays only, 1.00pm-4.00pm.

Oundle Museum is in Mill Road, Oundle PE8 4BW. Go to www.oundlemuseum.org.uk for more information.

British Museum Exhibitions

Until 25 May 2026 Hawaii: A kingdom crossing oceans.

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

Irchester Field School Learning Programme

Summer 2026, dates tbc

Go to www.chesterhouseestate.org for more information about the Irchester Field School run in partnership with the ARC and the University of Leicester. Bookings already being taken.

Irchester Parish Historical Society Talks 2025

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

Discover Northamptonshire Visitor Hub at Rushden Lakes 2025

Next date tbc Finds Day with Northamptonshire Finds Liaison Officer Eleanore Cox.

FREE drop-in session at the Tourism Hub near the entrance to Cineworld, Rushden Lakes.

Earls Barton

Next date tbc Earls Barton Heritage Group meet in the library.

Kimbolton Castle: Public Open Days

Next date tbc 1.00pm-4.00pm. Go to www.kimboltoncastle.com for more information.

Abington Park Museum in Northampton

2026 dates tbc.

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.

Finds Day at Daventry Museum

Next date tbc.

Northamptonshire Finds Officer Eleanore Cox will be at Daventry Museum, free but you'll need to book a 15 minute time slot by email.

Northamptonshire Archaeological Society 2025

TBC Next event.

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

Northamptonshire Heritage Forum

Next date tbc

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

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. 

Friends of Kettering Art Gallery & Museum 2025

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.