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History
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Visiting the Peak District? Why not delve deep into its hidden past? This tour will take you on a guided walk of a sequence of archaeological sites in the Hope Valley which progress right through from the Roman period through to the present day! We will look at the way this valley has developed, splitting and shifting as a frontier over time, and you will get to walk in the footsteps of those who helped to make it so as we revisit these historical sites with the insight of an archaeological specialist!
Detailed description:I began giving this tour after leading the excavations around the fort in 2019-2020 as the Senior Archaeologist undertaking the work (Featured on Season 9 Episode 3 of Digging for Britain). It is tragic that the history of this intriguing area is not so well known and I have been determined ever since to help more people engage with it! The tour will take approximately and hour and begins at the Travellers rest off of Brough Lane. The tour is entirely out-doors and so you will need sturdy footwear and to dress for the weather but the route is not strenuous and we will make plenty of stops. The tour will begin with a visit to the Roman fort of Navio where I will give you an inside view of life in the Roman camp as the lead archaeologist on the most recent excavations there. This will take about 10 minutes before we begin the next stage of the journey. From here the tour will gain options depending on how active we are all feeling! The main northern boundary of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia is not far away and if people are willing we can go and visit this dramatic monument! From here we will move more rapidly towards the modern period as we see the main economic driving force of the Peak District for almost 2000 years! Lead! We will visit the huge hidden tunnels on the valley side which represent the surviving remains of the 19th century lead works. At all stages of the tour additional information and discussion will occur and you should come away having learned a lot about the area away from the main tourist path. I would hope that you also have fun and feel able to join the discussion as we proceed! Following the full tour we will return to the Travellers rest where further discussion, food and drinks are warmly encouraged! A perfect tour for any aspiring archaeologists or history enthusiasts!
I worked as a professional archaeologist in the Peak District National Park for the last 8 years and have lived and breathed archaeology nearly every day of my life ever since. My biggest moment was leading the Navio excavation during 2019-2020 where we unearthed a previously unknown area of Roman vicus settlement to the west of the fort, more excitingly this helped us to learn about the development of the fort in a completely different way! I am still involved in the archaeology of the Peak District too, but now work independently as a freelance archaeological surveyor and consultant. I got into this after studying Classical and Historical Archaeology (BA) and Landscape Archaeology (MA) at the University in Sheffield where I still live. I am an engaging speaker and have given public presentations at Derbyshire Archaeology day several years in a row, as well as presenting for local societies. I tend to avoid the more dry presentation style and bring the fun side out which I learned to do while working semi-professional as a Stand-up comedian!
The tour will take place primarily in the Hope Valley in the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire around the village of Brough-on-Noe.
MapsWaterSturdy footwearWet weather gearSun cream
Who can come
Adults & Children
Activity level
just enough
Skill level
beginner
If you would like to request for alternative dates not currently showing in availability, please contact the host directly via private message
This tour should be suitable for almost all levels of fitness and expertise - although if you would like to visit the Anglo-Saxon earthworks nearby you will need to be prepared for more strenuous exercise.
Please dress appropriately for the weather.
If doing the tour in the evening parking spaces at The Travellers Rest may be limited, in which case alternative parking will be sought within the village by agreement.
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