These tickets allow you to take part in the dig for three consecutive days. Your chosen date will be day one.
Opportunities to participate in the dig will take place from Monday 8th April to Wednesday 5th June.
This is a unique opportunity to experience a live archaeological site, get hands on and learn about Sheffield’s history. The Castlegate area has changed dramatically over hundreds or years from castle to slaughterhouses, bowling green to steel works, and from Sheffield market to its current state. The site is now moving on to an exciting new chapter and work is underway to redevelop the area into a park.
Booking is essential. We recommend booking early to secure your spot! Opportunities will be released in batches, and we have currently released spaces in April. Check back later if you’ve missed out.
Please be aware that we expect demand to be high for participant opportunities. Therefore, we will give priority to those who haven’t attended a session before over repeat bookings. Repeat bookings may be cancelled.
You can find out more about past archaeological discoveries by viewing our previous online video series.
Stay up to date with current work on the site by signing up to the Castlegate newsletter.
Your visit
Your visit will start with a health and safety site induction followed by a tour of site. You will then work alongside an archaeologist and learn to dig and record archaeological features. Please arrive promptly for a 10am briefing. If you miss the site induction, you will not be able to take part in the experience day(s).
Example day 1 schedule:
- 9.50-10am – meet at Castlegate
- 10am – site induction
- 11am – coffee break
- 12.15-1.15pm – lunch break
- 2.15pm – afternoon break
- 3.30pm – end of session
To allow us to manage the number of people on site we need you to book your slot in advance. You can choose between booking a one day, two day or three day experience. There are five spaces per day.
We will meet in the Castlegate area of Sheffield between 9.50 and 10am. Details of the meeting point will be emailed to attendees before their chosen date.
Participants will be outside digging for much of the day, so please dress appropriately for the weather. All participants must wear footwear with steel toe caps. If you do not have your own pair of steel toe-capped shoes, we have limited sizes of communal footwear that can be borrowed. Please indicate this on the booking form.
Please be aware that participants must be 18 years old or over.
Photography:
Photographs and videos will be taken by Sheffield Council, Keltbray and Wessex Archaeology during the excavations. There are also webcams set up to capture footage of the site. If you would like to take photos or video of the site during your visit, you are allowed to do so for personal use only. If you intend to use or share these photos for commercial purpose (including media coverage) you need to obtain prior permission to to do so. Please contact press@wessexarch.co.uk.
Facilities on site:
Toilets are available on site.
Tea and coffee facilities are provided and a lunch space will be available to use. Please bring your own lunch, snacks and refillable water bottle.
There is no parking available on site. The nearest car park is Q Park Castlegate.
Accessibility:
Due to the nature of the archaeological site, there are uneven surfaces and rough ground throughout. You can see the site conditions by viewing the ‘Castlecam’ set up by the Sheaf and Porter Rivers Trust.
If you have questions or specific access needs, please contact us prior to your visit to discuss these.
Cancellations:
If you can no longer attend, please cancel your booking as soon as possible, as this will allow others to take up the opportunity.
In the unlikely event that Wessex Archaeology must cancel opportunities due to unforeseen circumstances, participants will be informed by email at the earliest opportunity.
Contact us:
If you have any questions regarding your visit or booking, please email sheffieldcastle@wessexarch.co.uk.
Cover photograph by Paul Rowland.
