Epiacum Heritage

Festival of Archaeology
2024-07-25 00:00 - 2024-07-26 23:59 (Europe/London) | Epiacum Roman Fort, Epiacum Roman Fort, Kirkhaugh, Northumberland, CA9 3BG, United Kingdom
Epiacum Heritage is pleased to be able to contribute to the nationwide “Festival of Archaeology” event. We have two days of activity planned on site at the Roman fort of Epiacum.

Please see the attached flyer for details.

Trustees and volunteers will be available to share our recent progress plus offer guided walks and activities across the two days. Why not pop in and say hello?

If you’re at all able to, please come and be part of our event. We will be sharing an update here for those that are unable to attend .

Epiacum Rocks
2024-08-20 17:00 - 21:00
Ian Jackson works for the British Geological Survey as a Field Geologist.He is the author of ‘Northumberland, Cumbria and Durham Rocks’The event will consist of a geological walk around Epiacum, followed by an illustrated talk about the geological profile of the area, its natural resources and their exploitation through history.

Please book a place in advance

Epi-sheep has arrived!
2024-09-01 08:00 - 17:00
Epiacum Heritage and the Nook Farm Shop and Café are pleased to host one of the Illuminated Sheep from the Hadrian’s Wall Arts Trail 2024 which returns to Northumberland as the now famous flock form a new Art Trail from the East to West of Hadrian’s Wall.

Medieval Banquet
2024-10-18 19:30 - 23:59
The year is 1560 in the late Medieval era and life in the South Tyne Valley is hard! With cross border turmoil and ongoing disputes between “the clans” , our Medieval Banquet is an opportunity to settle differences , to uncover enemies in our midst, to celebrate a hard-won harvest – and most importantly, pay the Michaelmas land rent to the visiting Lady of the Manor!

Come and join us at Alston Town Hall for an evening of mirth and merriment in the presence of your local neighbours, music-makers and the “Lady of the Manor” herself!

Tickets include a welcome drink and 3 course meal (please let us know if you have allergens or require the Veggie option).

Of course, you can add to the hilarity by dressing up and getting into the medieval spirit of things.

There will be a raffle and fundraising games (all optional) and a bar, run by our Friends at The Hive at Nenthead.

Please see the attached poster for details of how to book!

We expect tickets to sell well so please don’t miss out!

Recent Discoveries at Carlisle Cricket Club
2025-08-28 07:00 - 21:00
We’ve got something special coming up for history lovers!

On Thursday 28 August, we’re welcoming Frank Giecco – the Archaeological Director behind Uncovering Roman Carlisle – to share the latest finds from the incredible excavation of the Roman bathhouse in Carlisle. This is a rare chance to hear the inside story from the person leading the dig!

It’s happening at The Nook Farm Shop & Café in Alston, starting at 7pm. We’re asking for a suggested donation of £5 to support our work, and booking ahead is recommended as spaces are limited.

If you’d like to join us, drop us an email at info@epiacumheritage.org or call 07921 858 126.

We can’t wait to see some of you there!

Epiacum, Corbridge and Carlisle
2025-09-25 19:00 - 21:00
!! Please note this event is now fully booked !!

Thursday 25 September, 7:00pm

The Nook Farm Shop and Café, Castle Nook, Alston CA9 3BG

Suggested donation: £5 per person

We’re delighted to announce the next talk in our events series, where Epiacum Heritage volunteer Damian Rudge will guide us through the latest discoveries and research at three remarkable Roman sites:

Epiacum – our own unique upland fort and its role in the frontier landscape.

Corbridge – an important supply base and civilian settlement.

Carlisle – the focus of ongoing community archaeology revealing a high-status Roman building.

This promises to be a fascinating evening exploring how these sites connect and what they can tell us about life on the edge of the Roman Empire.

✨ Why join us?

Hear an accessible update on cutting-edge archaeological work.

Discover how research across the region helps us understand Epiacum’s story.

Support Epiacum Heritage with your presence and donation.

To book your place, please email info@epiacumheritage.org or call 07921 858 126.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Upcoming Talk - 'Whitley Castle: The Dig'
2025-10-30 19:00 - 21:00
We’re delighted to announce the final talk of 2025 in our series at The Nook, where Alastair Robertson will guide us through one of the most intriguing chapters in the story of Whitley Castle (Epiacum).

Between 1957 and 1959, a small team undertook an excavation at the Roman fort. This is a rare opportunity to hear the untold story of that excavation, learn what was recorded, what was lost, and what remains to be rediscovered.

7:00pm — Thursday 30th October 2025

The Nook Farm Shop & Café, Alston, CA9 3BG

Suggested donation: £5 per person

To book, please email info@epiacumheritage.org or call 07921 858 126.

This promises to be a fascinating evening for anyone with an interest in our local heritage, or the history of Alston Moor.

From Minerals to Pigments
2026-03-26 19:30 - 21:00
Mark Hengis from the Colour House Appleby

The Alchemy of Colour

Come and find out how the minerals all around us have been used to produce pigments and colour.

All talks will start at 7:30pm and be held at The Nook Farm Shop and Café, CA9 3BG

Tickets are not required but a minimum £5 donation on the door would be appreciated. Places can be booked via info@epiacumheritage.org or by phoning Elaine on 07921858126.

Rethinking Excavation at Epiacum
2026-04-23 19:30 - 21:00
Richard Carlton: Visiting Fellow Archaeologist, Newcastle University

Rethinking excavation at Epiacum.

All talks will start at 7:30pm and be held at The Nook Farm Shop and Café, CA9 3BG

Tickets are not required but a minimum £5 donation on the door would be appreciated. Places can be booked via info@epiacumheritage.org or by phoning Elaine on 07921858126.

Birdoswald 1987-2025: An Overview
2026-05-28 19:30 - 21:00
Tony Wilmott: Former Senior Archaeologist with Historic England

Birdoswald 1987 ~ 2025 An Overview.

Tony Wilmott led excavations at Birdoswald between 1987 and 1992 and has contributed extensively to research on the Roman frontier throughout his career. This talk will look back over nearly four decades of work at the fort, exploring how understanding of the site has developed through excavation, interpretation and continued investigation.

Birdoswald occupies a particularly important place along Hadrian’s Wall, preserving evidence not only of the Roman military presence but also of the changing story of the frontier after the Roman period. Drawing on years of fieldwork and research, Tony will reflect on the discoveries, challenges and evolving interpretations that have shaped modern understanding of the site.

For anyone with an interest in Roman Britain, frontier archaeology or the wider story of the North, this promises to be a fascinating evening.

Event Details

Date: Thursday 28th May 2026

Location: The Nook Farm Shop & Café, Castle Nook, Alston, CA9 3BG

Doors open: 7:00pm

Talk begins: 7:30pm

Tickets are not required but a minimum £5 donation on the door would be appreciated. Places can be booked via info@epiacumheritage.org or by phoning Elaine on 07921858126.

The Land of Lead and Silver
2026-06-25 19:30 - 21:00
Andie Harris: Project Manager North Pennines National Landscape

The Land of Lead and Silver.

All talks will start at 7:30pm and be held at The Nook Farm Shop and Café, CA9 3BG

Tickets are not required but a minimum £5 donation on the door would be appreciated. Places can be booked via info@epiacumheritage.org or by phoning Elaine on 07921858126.

Moles, Molehills and Finds
2026-07-23 19:30 - 21:00
Fran Breen: Research, Fundraising and Comms Manager Solent University

Moles, molehills and finds ~ all about our molehill surveys.

All talks will start at 7:30pm and be held at The Nook Farm Shop and Café, CA9 3BG

Tickets are not required but a minimum £5 donation on the door would be appreciated. Places can be booked via info@epiacumheritage.org or by phoning Elaine on 07921858126.

Life as a Student Archaeologist
2026-09-24 19:30 - 21:00
Wilf Bazley: Undergraduate Archaeologist, University College London

Life as a student archaeologist.

All talks will start at 7:30pm and be held at The Nook Farm Shop and Café, CA9 3BG.

Tickets are not required but a minimum £5 donation on the door would be appreciated. Places can be booked via info@epiacumheritage.org or by phoning Elaine on 07921858126.

World Heritage of the Roman Frontiers - exploring a bigger picture for Epiacum
2026-10-29 19:30 - 21:00
Nigel Mills: Heritage Consultant

World Heritage of the Roman Frontiers – exploring a bigger picture for Epiacum

All talks will start at 7:30pm and be held at The Nook Farm Shop and Café, CA9 3BG

Tickets are not required but a minimum £5 donation on the door would be appreciated. Places can be booked via info@epiacumheritage.org or by phoning Elaine on 07921858126.
