A66 Archaeology Open Day
See the latest discoveries about Roman life near Brougham - hands-on fun, guided tours, and artefacts for all ages!
Location
Penrith & District Farmers Auction Mart
Skirsgill Lane Penrith CA11 0DN United KingdomAgenda
Travel to the site on our minibus from Tolbar, the National Highways office.
Be welcomed to site
Undertake a site tour - see the archaeology!
Meet an archaeologist
Enter the Discovery Zone - Handle finds, see artefacts, enjoy fun activities
Meet our re-enactor!
Travel back to the Tolbar office by minibus
Good to know
Highlights
- UNDER 16 WITH PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN
- In person
- Free venue parking
About this event
Event Highlights
✅ See a live excavation in action as part of the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine upgrade
✅ Get hands-on with activities for all ages
✅ Meet the archaeologists uncovering history beneath your feet
✅ A rare chance to explore where ancient roads meet modern highways
Discover where ancient and modern worlds intersect.
The archaeological dig is happening as part of the A66 Northern TransPennine upgrade which is delivering vital improvements to road safety, traffic flow, and tourism access across northern England. Meanwhile, this excavation sheds light on the Romans’ strategic use of the same route for trade, travel, and infrastructure nearly two thousand years ago.
You’ll be part of a rare moment where modern engineering and ancient archaeology meet , uncovering layers of time as the routeway is reshaped for the future.
Perfect for:
Everyone – including families, history enthusiasts and curious locals.
Booking is required, as spaces are limited.
Click Check Availability, and Register to secure your place and be part of this unique confluence of archaeology and infrastructure evolution.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, booking is required as spaces are limited.
Absolutely! All ages are welcome, and our activities are designed to be fun and engaging for children and adults alike. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
The excavation is outdoors with uneven ground, which may be challenging for wheelchairs and prams. We are working hard to make site as accessible as possible. Please contact us before booking so we can advise on current site conditions work to ensure appropriate arrangements are in place.
Yes — photography for personal use is welcome! Please be mindful of other visitors and follow any guidance from our team. Commercial or media photography must be arranged in advance.
Sturdy shoes and weather‐ready clothing are essential, as the site is outdoors. A waterproof jacket is a good idea (and dare we suggest suncream?!). To ensure safety, visitors without suitable footwear may not be permitted on site.
Refreshments are not available on site, so please bring your own drinks and snacks if you will need them. Toilets and hand‐washing facilities will be available.
NO DOGS except assistance dogs. If you need to bring an assistance dog, please make us aware at the time of booking so we can ensure appropriate arrangements are in place.
A full visit usually takes around 1.5 hours including travel to and from the event bus stops.
Yes — archaeology doesn’t stop for a bit of rain! We’ll only cancel in the event of severe weather that makes the site unsafe.
Yes, free parking is available at the Tolbar Office and there is limited disabled parking available on site. We’ll send full directions and parking instructions with your booking confirmation.
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