Nestled in a tranquil valley, tucked amongst the rolling Herefordshire countryside, the origins of Brockhampton are shrouded in mystery. This year you can help us discover more about how the Brockhampton estate began.

Herefordshire has many places which are thought to be deserted medieval villages but few have been subject to an archaeological investigation to see what lies beneath the soil. The Summer of Archaeology project will explore the early history of the estate, and aims to discover how the medieval moated site came to be located in the valley at Lower Brockhampton. This project will also explore the origins of the Old Chapel at Brockhampton and will try to discover if there is a deserted medieval village lying under the orchards to the north of the property.

[quote=Sarah Skelton Visitor, Experience Manager]“We are thrilled to have received the support of HLF and are excited to see what the volunteers and visitors to Brockhampton over the summer discover about our past...”[/quote]

Community Volunteers from Herefordshire MIND and ECHO disability will take the lead working with archaeologists to carry out the investigations and site interpretation for visitors on site. Accessible pathways will be laid to the excavation area which will support all members of the community to take part in the project. Young people from Media Shypp, a local organisation training young people in transferable media skills, will be recording the whole project for posterity and creating a film to help celebrate the excavations and record what is found over the summer.

This is your opportunity to get involved with lots of drop-in volunteering opportunities for visitors over the summer. Starting in May you can take part in geophysical surveys or dowsing of the site before the excavations begin, in June you can vote for where you think the trenches should be dug, and in July and August you can even help out with the excavations themselves.

Later in the summer, people can get involved in pot washing and the other post excavation activities on site. There will be many opportunities for visitors to join in with the archaeologists at work over the summer and to make a lasting contribution to the history of this special place.

Commenting on the award, Sarah Skelton Visitor, Experience Manager, said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of HLF and are excited to see what the volunteers and visitors to Brockhampton over the summer discover about our past and the early history of the estate.”

Notes to editors

Brockhampton Summer of Archaeology Project – Geophysics weekends

See the archaeologists at work and get involved in the geophysical surveys.  Use one of the professional geophysical gadgets and see what lies hidden beneath the soils of the Brockhampton estate.  Visitors will also have the chance to try out magnotrometry, resistivity and other geophysical gadgets to aid in the hunt for Brockhampton’s lost archaeology.

Sat 23 – Sun 24 May, 11am – 4pm

Further information

Sarah Skelton, Visitor Experience Manager, on tel: 01885 482077 or email: sarah.skelton@nationaltrust.org.uk