DigCamp at Sudeley Castle (ages 6-12)

  • 31 October & 01 November 2024
  • Gloucestershire, England
£75.00
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Sudeley Castle

Archaeology isn’t just for adults! Bring the family to enjoy some hands-on archaeology with the DigVentures team. You’ll have plenty of fun as we uncover a lost medieval village at Sudeley Castle.

Dates: Thu 31 October & Fri 01 November 2024
Duration: 2 hours (10:00am-12:00pm, or 2:00pm-4:00pm)
Suitable for: Families with children aged 6-12
Family size: Maximum of one adult and two children per booking (you can make more than one booking)
Meals, travel, and accommodation: Not included (see FAQ for your options)
Experience level: All levels welcome

Overview

Fascinated by history? Got a bit of an adventurous streak? Join the DigVentures team on a real, live excavation, and help us to unearth the remains of a medieval village. You’ll learn how to dig, make your own discoveries, and experience what it’s really like to be an archaeologist.

Our team will guide your search for evidence, and help you piece together the evidence as you try to solve a real archaeological mystery… It’s the perfect mini family adventure for kids and adults who want to get outdoors and discover history for themselves this summer!

Sudeley Castle

Gloucestershire
GL54 5LP

Sudeley Castle

Gloucestershire, GL54 5LP

Our dig site

Built in the 12th century, Sudeley Castle has existed through some of England’s most turbulent history. But before Sudeley Castle, the Domesday Book makes mention of a medieval village that we think is somewhere in the grounds.

Nobody knew where the village was – until now! Archaeologists at DigVentures have been collecting clues from local historians which we think point to the location of the medieval village.

Our mission now is to collect as many archaeological clues as possible, and uncover the lost story of medieval Sudeley, and the people who lived here hundreds of years ago.

What we'll do

Each DigCamp session is 2 hours. In that time, your family will learn all the basic skills that a field archaeologist uses on a dig. Starting with a lively introduction to the medieval, we’ll grab our trowels and jump straight into the trenches to begin your hands-on archaeological training!

You’ll learn how to excavate, how to recognise new archaeological layers, and how to identify ancient artefacts. We’ll work together to unearth our site, and our friendly team of professional archaeologists will be there to guide your search for evidence every step of the way.

By the end, you’ll be heading home having experienced what it’s really like to be an archaeologist. It’s good, clean, fun!

Additional information

Who is DigCamp suitable for?

DigCamp is suitable for any family with children aged 6-12.

Children are the archaeologists of the future, and do everything we can to give young people an experience that will inspire their interest in history, archaeology, and learning about the past.

We also do our best to make our experiences as inclusive as possible for children with different learning and physical needs. Just email us at bookings@digventures.com if you’ve got any questions about access, and what we can do to help you take part.

Where is the dig?

The dig is all set to take place within the grounds of Sudeley Castle & Gardens in Gloucestershire.

Our main meeting point will be outside the Visitor Centre at the main entrance. Car parking is available.

Address: Sudeley Castle & Gardens, GL54 5LP

Start and finish times

Arrival:

Please arrive at the castle’s main visitor entrance at least 20 minutes before your experience is due to start (this will either be 10:00am or 2:00pm depending on which session you choose).

One of our archaeologists will meet you at the main entrance and we will begin promptly – please don’t be late!

Departure:

Once your DigCamp session ends, you’ll be free to continue exploring the castle grounds. There’s plenty to see, including Percy the Peacock!

Is food, transport and accommodation included?

Food
Meals are not included, which means you’ll need to bring your own packed lunch, snacks, and drinks.

Accommodation
Accommodation is not included. People have different budgets and preferences, so we think its better for individuals to be able to book whichever options suite them best.

Whether you’re a happy camper, or prefer a little bit more luxury, you’ll make your own arrangements according to what suites you, and your budget, best.

Staying on site: Sudeley Castle own a number of holiday cottages in the surrounding area. You can find out more on their website.

Campsites: There are several campsites nearby, with full facilities, including Winchcombe Camping & Caravanning Club.

Hotels and B&Bs: There are plenty of hotels, B&Bs, and AirBnBs in the surrounding area, including in the nearby town of Winchcombe.

Transport
We do not include transport. With people traveling from so many different places, and on such different schedules, it’s not feasible for our team to organise. You will need to make your own arrangements.

Safe Dig Policies

We are a small team, and our priority is to keep you and everyone on our team safe and healthy for the long summer of digging ahead!

When joining our team, you will need to be conscientious and:

✅  Inform us if you feel unwell, and stay home if you test positive for Covid

✅ Inform us if you test positive for Covid within 48 hours of leaving us

What to bring

Please remember that this DigCamp is happening in October, and while we could have beautiful sunshine you should also be prepared for the possibility of experiencing all four seasons in one day!

Archaeologists tend to find lots of layers of warm clothing are best, so we can keep nice and toasty warm whatever the weather.

Please ensure your child has warm layers, waterproof boots, and a raincoat. Waterproof trousers are an added bonus if it’s looking like rain is in the forecast. And remember to bring something to protect your car seats on the way home – you could have muddy monsters in the back!

You need to bring:

  • Sturdy boots (very important!)
  • Warm and weatherproof clothing (very important!)
  • Plastic bag to carry any muddy gear home in
  • Drinks and snacks
  • Anything else you might need for a mini outdoor adventure!

Remember: archaeology is fun, but it is OUTDOORS fun, so you need to be prepared for the changeable British weather.

You do NOT need to bring:

  • Archaeological tools (we will provide all of the archaeological tools you need!)

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