Connecting Archaeology and Nature at the CBA’s Festival of Archaeology
By Claire Corkill, Development Manager, Council for British Archaeology
The 2026 Festival of Archaeology takes place across the UK from Saturday 18th July to Sunday 2nd August, organised by the Council for British Archaeology (CBA). Each year a theme highlights the different ways archaeology connects with people’s lives, and this year our theme is “Archaeology and Nature”. The theme will inspire curiosity in and develop a deeper sense of belonging to the landscapes we share.
Archaeology and nature are interconnected, revealing how humans have lived with, shaped, and been shaped by the environment around them. By exploring the past through climate, geology, animals, plants, landscapes, and the effect of nature on archaeological sites and buildings today, we can understand how places and communities evolve and develop.
If you haven’t heard of the CBA Festival of Archaeology before, it’s the UK’s largest annual celebration of archaeology with over 400 events taking place across the UK and a digital reach of over 54 million during the Festival fortnight. With a mix of in-person, online and on-demand events and activities, the Festival engages a broad audience of all ages with an interest in archaeology, heritage and the natural environment.
Nature themed events
This year, to celebrate the Archaeology and Nature theme, we are launching the Festival on Saturday 12th July at Westonbirt, the National Arboretum in southern Gloucestershire. With origins in the nineteenth century, the arboretum is home to a collection of over 2,500 different species of tree, and five national tree collections. Today Westonbirt is managed by Forestry England, who are responsible for safeguarding over 1,500 public woods and forests. Within these wooded landscapes are some 100,000 archaeological sites. The balance they strike in managing archaeology and sustainable woodlands, makes Forestry England the ideal launch partner for this year’s nature- focused festival.
Throughout the day we will be offering a range of activities that bring nature and archaeology to the fore with experimental archaeology demonstrating techniques people of the past used to transform natural resources into practical tools; dendrochronology activities for children; guided tours exploring the unique specimens and story of the site; and dance and art inspired by traditional practices and the landscape.
The CBA will also be delivering two nature themed online lectures as part of our This Is Archaeology series. On Wednesday 22nd July, Dr Iris Kramer will be talking about her ongoing research using AI mapping of historic landscapes for nature recovery at a national scale. While on Wednesday 29th July, Dr Nick Overton will be sharing how he thinks archaeology has a set of ‘superpowers’ that can uniquely contribute to nature recovery in Archaeology and nature recovery: how the past can help us build a more biodiverse present and future.
Sitting alongside these events are an online theme day, youth events and of course an incredible range of events and activities delivered by event organisers across the UK, many of which are linked to this year’s theme. To find out more about what’s on take a look at the event listing on our website.
How can you get involved?
There are a range of ways to take part in the Festival of Archaeology. With options for deliver your own event, share existing materials or contribute to one of our online events there are plenty of options to help you showcase your organisation and the work you do.
Deliver an event – From guided tours to family fun days and hands on activities, we welcome events focusing on nature and the natural environment that also have a nod to heritage or archaeology. You don’t have to develop a bespoke event for the Festival, if you already have activity planned during the fortnight (or in the two weeks either side) we would be happy to promote it. Submit the details via our website.
Share a resource – Our on-demand resources area is promoted throughout the year and includes a range of self-led or pre-made activities including walks and spotters guides, pre-recorded lectures, craft activities, or resources that showcase the work you do.
Take part in the Past In Our Hands – This online event runs throughout the Festival fortnight and tells the stories and experiences of people working, volunteering and studying in archaeology, heritage and related fields. We will be releasing short videos and blogs across the two weeks of the Festival and we would love to tell some of your stories. If you would like to take part please contact our Comms and Marketing Manager Jessica Latham at via email.
Questions? Get in touch
If you have any questions about how your organisation might get involved with the Festival there are three ways to find out more.
Visit our event organiser area – Register with our website and you will be able to access our event organiser area. Here you will find useful information on developing and delivering your event, comms and marketing guidance and evaluation.
Come along to one of our drop-in sessions – Our Festival Coordinator, Debbie Frearson, hosts regular online drop-in sessions for event organisers where you can chat through ideas, ask questions and find out more about the Festival. Dates and times are available here.
Send us an email – You can also reach us via email at and we’d be happy to follow up via email or with a 1:1 online meeting.
Wider engagement throughout the year – We can also promote activity throughout the year and are always happy to discuss how we can help promote and support activities that engage local communities and grassroots archaeology and heritage groups. If you would like to find out more please contact via email.
What to do if you have archaeology on your site?
Do you have archaeology on the sites you manage? Perhaps you aren’t sure and are looking for someone to speak to about it, or maybe you’d like to find out more about how the historic environment can help inform nature recovery.
Historic England’s website has links to a number of key resources on archaeology and the natural environment including Natural England’s guidance on incorporating the historic environment into nature recovery practices, and information and research on a wide range of habitats and heritage. Further guidance is also available from other state agencies across the UK – Historic Environment Scotland, Cadw (Wales), and the Department for Communities (Northern Ireland).
If you uncover archaeology on your site and you are unsure if it has been previously recorded your first port of call should be your local Historic Environment Records Office, here you find help to ensure any archaeology is accurately identified and added to the record. You can also search the records to find out if there are any existing sites on your property via Heritage Gateway in England, Trove in Scotland, Archwilio in Wales, and HERoNI in Northern Ireland.
The Council for British Archaeology
The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) is a leading educational charity dedicated to championing and promoting engagement in archaeology and supporting grassroots archaeologists across the UK.
Our mission is to inspire individuals to explore their heritage and engage with the historic environment, fostering new connections among people and the places where they live, work, learn, and grow. We champion a people-centered approach to archaeology, promoting shared heritage and innovative practices that highlight the social impact of archaeology.
We aim to enhance our position as a network organisation, connecting commercial, academic, and community groups, enhancing the public value of archaeology and supporting grassroots initiatives. By promoting a collaborative and inclusive approach, we strive to help improve the accessibility of archaeology, highlighting the issue of othering in our field, and contributing to a richer understanding of our shared past and its relevance to our present and future.
Website - www.archaeologyuk.org
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