100 Years of Ashburton Park

As part of our free half‑term community archaeology project at Ashburton Park in May 2026, we worked with AOC Archaeology to run accessible community digs for people of all ages and abilities.

We excavated the site of Stroud Green House, which stood on the main lawn between the 1780s and 1920s. Ashburton Hall is the only part of the building that remains.

The two‑week project included:

• 12 school sessions with pupils from local schools, including tailored sessions for pupils with additional needs
• 10 public sessions for community groups, including the Croydon Learning Disability Alliance, Gingerbread, Floating Hub and Oasis Hub Arena
• free, family‑friendly activities delivered with Museum of Croydon and Ashburton Library

Participants ranged in age from 1 to 80. Activities included women’s digs, family sessions for under‑5s, an over‑65s session, object handling, archaeological illustration workshops and a careers talk by Dr Emily Stammitti. All activities were free.

Comments included:
“The children didn’t want to leave”…
“Best half term ever!"
“I could stay here for hours”
“So lovely doing activities together outdoors and getting to meet new people”

Several participants even came back early from half term holidays to join us!

Our discoveries - project report and findings

A project report and findings’ presentation will be held at Ashburton Hall on Thursday 16 July 2026. 

Book your place at 'Our discoveries - Ashburton Park Archaeology'. 

The report and presentation will also be published here.

Thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for making this exciting project possible.

 

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