What's new

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

Sulgrave Manor & Garden

Sunday 29 March at 10.30am Sulgrave Manor & Gardens opens up for 2026.

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

Raunds & District History Society Talks

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.

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 4 April Eighteenth Century Poor Law and Settlement records by Deborah Hayter. 

Olney Archaeological Society Talks

Tuesday 7 April Mapping the Verulamium: Surveys by the Community Archaeological Geophysics Group by Dr Kris Lockyear.
Tuesday 21 April The Minotaur and the Labyrinth by Michael Curtis.
Tuesday 5 May The Black Death in England 1348-1500 by Prof Mark Bailey.
Tuesday 19 May Roman Irchester by Prof Sarah Scott.

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.

Oundle Historical Society Talks

Friday 10 April Voices of the Poor and the Oundle Union Workhouse by Steve King.
Friday 8 May How to read a Castle by Bob Woosnam-Savage.
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.

Northampton Central Library

Saturday 11 April at 2.00pm Carnegie Talk: Ghosts of Northamptonshire by Adrian Perkins

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

Wellingborough Civic Society Talks

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.

Earls Barton Heritage Group

Friday 17 April Northampton and its Surroundings in the 1960s by Chris Clayson.
Friday 15 May Stories beyond Barton's Old Buildings, Part 2 by Hilary Hillman.

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

Naseby Battlefield Tours

Saturday 18 April, Saturday 9 May, Sunday 14 June, Sunday 28 June, Saturday 4 July, Saturday 18 July, Saturday 8 August, 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.

Wrest Park

Archaeological Collections Store Tours on 20 April, 18 May, 1 and 15 June, 6 and 20 July, 3 and 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.

CBA Council for British Archaeology

Wednesday 22 April Online talk: This is Archaeology: What is Archaeology and Why Does it Matter.

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

Northamptonshire Heritage Forum

Thursday 23 April AGM at Boughton House
Sunday 26 April 10.00am-4.00pm Heritage Fair at Wicksteed Park.
Saturday 24 October History Day in conjunction with Blisworth Heritage Society.
Sunday 25 October Northamptonshire Day at Kettering Market Square.

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

Higham Chichele Society Talks

Friday 24 April AGM and Saints, sinners and scandals by Derek Blunt.
Friday 29 May Pork Pie Heaven by Jon-Paul Carr.
Friday 26 June Take us back in time by Gloria and Peter Wright.
Friday 31 July Grandad's War 1914-18 by Ted Barnes.
Friday 28 August Roman Northamptonshire by Michael Curtis.
Friday 25 September Agatha Christie by Steve Dimmer.
Friday 30 October The Ghost Detective by Adrian Perkins.
Friday 27 November A History of Comedy Music by Kevin Varty.

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.

Delapré Abbey Events and Tours

Until Friday 24 April Hard Hat Tour of the 19th Century Stables Building Site.
Friday 1 May Medieval Nunnery Tour.

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.

Higham Ferrers 2026 Events

Friday 24 - Sunday 26 April ARTS WEEKEND.
Friday 24 April  Painting with a Professional for local schools.
Saturday 25 April St Georges Day Celebration, Recreation Ground, Saffron Road.
Saturday 25 April at 7.00pm Rock Choir in St Mary's Church.
Sunday 26 April at 2.00pm Talk: Armour of the English Knight in Hope Methodist Church.
Saturday 30 May Chichele Garden Fair in Chichele College Garden.
Saturday 6 - Sunday 14 June Great Big Green Week for local schools.
Friday 10 July Music night at Chichele College.
Friday 7 August Music night at Chichele College.
Saturday 12 September Horticultural Show in Chichele College.
Sunday 20 September 11.00am-5.00pm Heritage Day at Rushden Lakes.
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.

Higham Ferrers Arts Weekend 2026

Saturday 25 April at 7.00pm Rock Choir in St Mary's Church, Higham Ferrers. Tickets £10, licensed bar.
Sunday 26 April at 2.00pm-4.00pm Talk: Armour of the English Knight - investigating a lost medieval art form in Northamptonshire by Dr Tobias Capwell FSA, a leading authority on medieval & Renaissance arms and armour, in Hope Methodist Church, Higham Ferrers. Tickets £10 (includes tea and cake).

Celebrating arts and heritage in Higham Ferrers, orgainised by the Friends of St Marys. Tickets avaialble from Sidey Design on the Market Square, Higham Ferrers or online at www.artsweekendhigham.com 

Finedon Local Historical Society Talks 2026

Monday 27 April The Great Fire of Northampton by Ruth Thomas.
Monday 18 May The Last Days of the Northants Iron and Steelworks Railways by Mike Dix.
Monday 22 June Bridges of the River Nene by Dan Reid.
Monday 27 July When the Land Ships came to Town by Helen Frost.
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.

The Higgins Bedford

Tuesday 28 April to Sunday 4 October Exhibition: Exploring Bedfordshire's Kilns: An Industry Revealed.
Until Sunday 10 May 2026 Exhibition: Edward Bawden, printmaker.
Wednesday 27 May, 1.00pm-3.00pm Portable Antiquities Scheme for Bedfordshire session. FREE but booking essential.
Wednesday 29 July, 1.00pm-3.00pm Portable Antiquities Scheme for Bedfordshire session. FREE but booking essential.
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.

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

Northampton Museum & Art Gallery Talks

Thursday 30 April Northampton Saints & the Second World War by Graham McKechnie.
Thursday 18 June The remains of Annie Pritchard by Kate Philbin.
Thursday 2 July Food Glorious Food by J.P. Carr.
Thursday 16 July 10 Years of the Good Loaf by Suzy Van Roogen.

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

Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group Talks

Next date tbc 

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.

Bedford Guided Walks

April to October 2026.

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.

Oundle Museum

Museum open again for Summer 2026 season until Sunday 1 November, 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. Theme for 2026 is 'More of Oundle's villages'.

Deene Park Plundered

Sunday 3 May 11.30am - 5.00pm & Monday 4 May 11.30am - 4.30pm

The Sealed Knot Society are coming to Northamptonshire. Adults £10, concessions £5. Go to www.lordrobartes.com for more information.

British Museum Exhibitions

Until 4 May 2026 Exhibition: Samurai.
Until 25 May 2026 Exhibition: Hawai'i: A kingdom crossing oceans.
September 2026 Exhibition: The Bayeux Tapestry.

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

Stanwick Lakes

Saturday 9 - Sunday 10 May 9.00am-5.00pm Viking Festival, Champion of Champions
Friday 4 September 10.30am-1.30pm Finds Friday with Northants Finds Liaison Officer Eleanor Cox.

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

Council for British Archaeology: South Midlands - Earls Barton Archaeology Day

Saturday 9 May, 10.00am-5.00pm

Iron Age and Roman Settlement and a Broze Sge ring ditch at Main Road Mike Luke, Albion Archaeology.
Digging with Deeds: exploring the use of deeds as a source in modern settlement development Hilary Hillman.
Bartone: a late Anglo-Saxon burh Martin Wilson, Souterrain Archaeological Services.
Unveiling Mercer's Farm: recent discoveries in the centre of Earls barton Mercedes Planas, Souterrain Archaeological Services.
Beyond the Church Tower: the origins of Earls Barton's lordly centre Duncan Wright, Newcastle University.
Visit to All Saints Church, including a talk, access to the Saxon tower, and a tour of the churchyard.

At the Methodist Church, 36 Broad Street, Earls Barton, Northants NN6 0ND. Tickets £20 for CBA SM members, £25 for non-members, refreshments and lunch included.

Kettering Civic Society

Monday 11 May The Wallis & Linnell film in the Cornmarket Hall.
Monday 29 June The Life of William Knibb.

Go to www.ketteringcivicsociety.net for more information.

Rushden & District History Society

Friday 15 May AGM followed by Talk: Burning Ambition: 1901 John Cave Factory Fire by Jon-Paul Carr
Friday 19 June Three short films by Northampton Films Archive Trust.
Friday 17 July Blacksmith to Dental Surgeon by Mike Muncaster
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.

Peterborough Museum 2026

Until Saturday 30 May FREE exhibition: The Art of the Past by Dr Rose Ferraby, a visual celebration of the archaeological landscapes of Britain.
Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday Priestgate Vaults Tours.

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

Northampton Museum & Art Gallery

Until Sunday 7 June 2026 Exhibition: Carboniferous Monsters: 100 million years before the Dinosaurs.

Go to www.northamptonmuseums.com for more information.

Rockingham Castle

Sunday 21 June Medieval Joust

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

CBA Festival of Archaeology 2026

Saturday 18 July - Sunday 2 August

Theme for 2026 is Archaeology and Nature. Go to www.archaeologyuk.org for more information nearer the time.

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

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

Heritage Open Days 2026

Friday 11 - Sunday 20 September

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

Kimbolton Castle: Public Open Days

Sunday 4 October 1.00pm-4.00pm. Go to www.kimboltoncastle.com for more information and tickets.

43rd Annual Brixworth Lecture 2026

October tbc

Go to www.friendsofbrixworthchurch.org.uk for more information and tickets which are £12.

Discover Northamptonshire Visitor Hub at Rushden Lakes

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.

Chester House Estate

Next date tbc 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.

Middle Nene Archaeological Group (MidNAG)

Next date tbc

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

Northamptonshire Archaeological Society

TBC Next event.

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

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.

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 Film Archive Trust

Next date tbc

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

Wellingborough Museum

Next event 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. 

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.