While some families will be heading to the beach this summer to dig in the sand, Woolsthorpe Manor, near Grantham, is inviting them to get involved with an altogether different, and more interesting, dig.
The National Trust property, birthplace and home of Sir Isaac Newton, will be joining up with the team from York Archaeology for an exciting excavation of the adjacent Beeson Close Field.
Together, they’re hunting for Newton’s mother Hannah’s house which is depicted on the site in 18th century drawings of it by JC Barrow. Surveys over the past few years, conducted by South Witham Archaeology Group (SWAG) and the University of Leicester, have unearthed more evidence to justify a proper dig.
While the whole dig will run from Friday 18 to Sunday 27 July, excluding closure days of Tuesday and Wednesday, Woolsthorpe is hosting a special family weekend to kick it all off. Saturday 20 will be open to all families while the following day will be an autism-friendly session, offering a relaxed environment with sensory considerations, quieter spaces, and staff ready to support all explorers to enjoy at their own pace.
At both events, taking place as part of the national Festival of Archaeology, families will be able to dig deep, discover secrets, and uncover the story of this lost house. Participants can get their hands dirty in exciting trenches, help wash and clean real ancient finds and put their detective skills to the test with a fun artefact identification quiz.
Places for the sessions are completely free but do need to be booked in advance, online here.
Jennie Johns, Collections and House Officer at Woolsthorpe, said: ‘It’s so important to us that children can get involved in this incredibly exciting dig. While we’re all buzzing with anticipation of what will be uncovered, we want to make sure that we share this enthusiasm with the next generation, encouraging them to be inquisitive about the past so that archaeology and exploration can continue to thrive.
‘I also want to say a special thank you to Peter and Aileen from SWAG whose work has led to us being able to undertake such a thrilling project.’
There’ll be a chance for members of the public to share finds they’ve uncovered during their own excavations, metal detecting or even things unearthed while gardening, as archaeologists from York University will be on hand with a Finds Roadshow on Saturday 26 July. They’ll help to determine the age and story of objects in this drop-in session running all day, from 10am to 4pm, with a short break for lunch.
Laura Parker, Community Project Officer for York Archaeology, said: ‘Uncovering and rediscovering stories of the past as we dig down is always a fascinating process, but even more so when you are looking for something connected to one of the best-known scientists of all time, Sir Isaac Newton. This is a great opportunity for families to see what happens on a dig, and how archaeologists carefully peel back layers of the past to discover more about the history beneath our feet – and even get involved in the process for themselves. For any budding archaeologist, having an early experience of a real dig in such a significant site can sow the seed for a lifelong interest or career – and what a way to start!’
Visitors to Woolsthorpe are welcome to come and see the site throughout the rest of the dig but are reminded that parking on-site is very limited. Daily updates will be posted on Woolsthorpe and York Archaeology’s Facebook pages so that people can follow the dig’s progress without needing to come along.
