Community archaeology project

Contents

Community archaeology project

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

Activities for everyone

People who took part ranged in age from 1 to 80. All activities were free and included:

women's digs
family sessions for under‑5s
an over‑65s session
object handling
archaeological illustration workshops
a careers talk by Dr Emily Stammitti

Feedback we received

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