Excavations to discover more about 'nationally significant' Roman town within the Chester House Estate
Excavations to discover more about the small Roman town which once stood within the grounds of the Chester House Estate will start next week.
North Northamptonshire Council and the University of Leicester have announced the return of the Irchester Field School, with excavations taking place from Monday, June 15 to Friday, July 3 at the nationally significant small Roman town which lies within the Chester House Estate.
Students and staff from the University of Leicester work alongside volunteers and estate staff to excavate one of the best-preserved Roman small towns in Britain, while delivering a wide-ranging programme of public events and learning activities.
From Roman Fest - Northamptonshire’s largest free heritage event - to a learning programme for more than 1,200 local school students, these activities enable people of all ages to explore and get involved with local history and archaeology.
Following approvals for Scheduled Monument Consent, this year’s excavation will be focused on the western probable entrance to the walled area of the town and will enable the team to carry out the next phase of research at this nationally significant site.
These are the first major community excavations to be carried out within this area of the town since the 1870s.
Sarah Scott, Professor of Archaeology, University of Leicester, said: “The Irchester Field School is a powerful example of how partnership working can create a wealth of exciting opportunities for people of all ages to take part in archaeological research, develop new skills and connect with the archaeology and history of this nationally significant Roman site.
"It is inspiring to see students, volunteers, staff and visitors coming together each year, learning new skills, building connections across generations and cultures and sharing in the excitement of discovery."
Cllr Greg Wilcox, the council’s executive member for communities, said: “The history of the Chester House Estate is fascinating and this long-term collaborative project between our team and the University of Leicester continues to go from strength to strength.
"This year they will be moving to a new phase which will hopefully help us further understand the site.
"Alongside this year’s excavation, Roman Fest returns for 2026 - this always popular event provides a tangible link to the past whilst celebrating all that is great about the Chester House Estate.”
Group Tours: Book now
Organised group tours will run throughout the Field School, offering guided access to the excavation with expert interpretation from the project team.
These tours are ideal for community groups and organisations interested in experiencing archaeology in action.
Public open day and tours: Wednesday, July 1
A dedicated open day will take place on Wednesday, July 1, including guided site tours and opportunities to speak directly with archaeologists and participants.
Roman Fest 2026, July 25–26
Roman Fest weekend returns on July 25–26 and will bring the Roman past to life through re-enactments, living history, family activities and demonstrations.
Building on previous years’ success, Roman Fest is expected to attract thousands of visitors to the Chester House Estate.
Opportunities for young people
Young person digging days will be announced shortly, offering young people the chance to experience hands-on archaeology in a structured and supportive environment, working alongside professional archaeologists and experienced volunteers. Keep an eye on the Chester House Estate social media for more details.
The partnership between North Northants Council and the University of Leicester directly supports the goals of the Northamptonshire Visitor Economy Strategy by increasing visitor numbers, developing skills, supporting business growth and promoting inspirational places.
It also advances the university’s mission to strengthen public engagement and collaboration across the region, inspiring socially responsible and locally relevant heritage research, innovation and enterprise.
The partnership received the MJ Award for Innovation in Public Private Partnerships 2025.
The MJ Awards recognise the efforts of local government to support local communities. The judges praised the partnership for the ‘way it deepens public connection with place, making history and archaeology relevant for all sections of the community…showing impressive results, not only in engagement, but also in non-educational outcomes such as public health and well-being’.