Become an archaeologist for a day!
Adventure, Explore and Dig on a real Archaeological Excavation...As seen on TV!
Adventure, Explore and Dig on a real Archaeological Excavation...As seen on TV!
Once again the excavation site will be open and available for Experience Days in 2025.
The Experience Day Packs can be purchased from this website at any time (often as birthday or Christmas presents) and are valid for at least one year. Experience Days are normally held between the start of April until the end of October, starting at 10am and finishing at 5pm. Dates can be booked at a later time. Experience Days are normally held at weekends.
Larger group bookings and tours can also be arranged and tailored to meet your needs.
2025 Season
We welcomed a large number of visitors and Experience Day participants to our dig site in 2024 and people enjoyed their day learning about the history of the site and experience day participants had a rewarding day discovering the past, and learning new skills. Visits and experience days will continue as normal in 2025 following the relaxation in covid rules. Please contact us to arrange a visit, or purchase an Experience Day below.
Note: There will be no increase in prices for 2025 Experience Days.
Unfortunately in 2022 (for the first time in 14 years) we had to increase our Experience Day prices. Despite increased costs since then we have decided to maintain our current prices so that the cost of a single Experience Day is £75 with discounts available for more than two participants. I hope you will agree that this represents very good value for a day of supervised excavation.
The Experience Day Packs can be purchased from this website at any time (often as birthday or Christmas presents) and are valid for at least one year. Experience Days are normally held between the start of April until the end of October, starting at 10am and finishing at 5pm. Dates can be booked at a later time. Experience Days are normally held at weekends.
Larger group bookings and tours can also be arranged and tailored to meet your needs.
2025 Season
We welcomed a large number of visitors and Experience Day participants to our dig site in 2024 and people enjoyed their day learning about the history of the site and experience day participants had a rewarding day discovering the past, and learning new skills. Visits and experience days will continue as normal in 2025 following the relaxation in covid rules. Please contact us to arrange a visit, or purchase an Experience Day below.
Note: There will be no increase in prices for 2025 Experience Days.
Unfortunately in 2022 (for the first time in 14 years) we had to increase our Experience Day prices. Despite increased costs since then we have decided to maintain our current prices so that the cost of a single Experience Day is £75 with discounts available for more than two participants. I hope you will agree that this represents very good value for a day of supervised excavation.
Explore the Lost City of Trellech, once the largest Medieval City in Wales, set in the heart of the Welsh countryside.
Take part in the adventure and discover for yourself ancient relics on the excavation of this forgotten city.
This archaeological adventure will take you on a journey into the past. You will be given equipment and guidance to help you uncover lost artefacts that have not seen the light of day for hundreds of years.
The day will begin with a site tour at which you will be given your diggers packs. After which you can start digging and hopefully find some lost treasures.
After lunch (not included) you will have the opportunity to wash some of the finds including your own discoveries and take part in identifying various artefacts already found. You may also choose to carry on with the excavation at your leisure.
Take part in the adventure and discover for yourself ancient relics on the excavation of this forgotten city.
This archaeological adventure will take you on a journey into the past. You will be given equipment and guidance to help you uncover lost artefacts that have not seen the light of day for hundreds of years.
The day will begin with a site tour at which you will be given your diggers packs. After which you can start digging and hopefully find some lost treasures.
After lunch (not included) you will have the opportunity to wash some of the finds including your own discoveries and take part in identifying various artefacts already found. You may also choose to carry on with the excavation at your leisure.
Itinerary:
- 10.00 am Arrive & Welcome
- Site tour
- Digging
- Lunch
- Digging
- Identifying of Artefacts
- Diggers Pack & Certificate
- 5.00pm Guests depart
Also at the end of the day you will receive a personal certificate as a memento.
Diggers Pack:
- Archaeologist Trowel
- Kneeling Mat
- Story of Trellech
- Piece of Medieval Iron Slag
- Personal Certificate
No experience necessary as all guidance is provided by on site archaeologists.
You will receive confirmation of your purchase, with information about the Experience Day itinerary and information on how to book your date.
The excavation site for experience days is open from April to October so you can book for any available day in this period.
Experience Days are normally valid for 12 months from date of purchase, but may be extended for extenuating circumstances.
Site Location
Summary of the Site:
Discovered only twenty years ago, the site of the Lost City of Trellech lies in the heart of the Welsh countryside between the medieval market towns of Monmouth and Chepstow on the hills above the Wye valley. Once of largest city in Wales it now lies in fields just outside the village of Trellech that is situated on its northern edge. An industrial town producing iron principally for the De Clares army it began life in 1245 A.D. and grew rapidly to become approximately ¼ the size of London. The death of the De Clares in 1314 weakened it and the subsequent effects of climate change, plague and war saw it decline further.
The present site is part of an ongoing excavation. Already the foundations of several houses including one manor house with a round tower and well have been discovered. All the buildings so far have been built in stone and may well have given the city its name of Trellech, Tre meaning town and llech meaning stone, i.e stone town. Substantial remains exist which allow both the archaeologist and the visitor to gain a good idea of how things would have existed. Numerous finds have also been uncovered and continue to do so. Discoveries have included a nearly complete pot over 600 years old, leather shoes, wooden objects, bronze buckles, including a buckle glided in gold as well as numerous pieces of pots, iron and stone.
The present site is part of an ongoing excavation. Already the foundations of several houses including one manor house with a round tower and well have been discovered. All the buildings so far have been built in stone and may well have given the city its name of Trellech, Tre meaning town and llech meaning stone, i.e stone town. Substantial remains exist which allow both the archaeologist and the visitor to gain a good idea of how things would have existed. Numerous finds have also been uncovered and continue to do so. Discoveries have included a nearly complete pot over 600 years old, leather shoes, wooden objects, bronze buckles, including a buckle glided in gold as well as numerous pieces of pots, iron and stone.
Where to Stay:
The Experience Day itselfs lasts for a single day. However, visitors often like to stay in the local area to explore the site and the local area more. Indeed, you may find yourself hooked with the Archaeological bug! There are a number local hotels and guest houses that can provide you with accommodation. If you need any help please get in touch or see our local accommodation page.
How to Purchase:
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£75.00 per person
(Discounts for 2 or more people) To purchase an experience day:
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When you purchase (for yourself or as a gift) you will receive email confirmation of your purchase, information about what is included on the day, and how you can book a date.
Experience days can take place between April and October, but you are advised to book early to avoid disappointment. |
Buy Now:
We offer 5 options for Experience Days. If you have a party larger than 5, please contact Stuart Wilson (Tel No. 01291 625831)
- 1 Person - £75
- 2 People - £140
- 3 People - £200
- 4 People - £250
- 5 People - £300