Stanwick Lakes

26/08/2026

🐶 Happy International Dog Day!

We couldn't let the day pass without another little update on our new dog walking field… Ranger Pip has been busy putting some of the new additions through their paces, and opening is very close now!

With just a few more checks to do in the coming days, we're hoping to have the first slots available to book next week. Those signed up to our "pupdates" mailing list will get the link first. 🐾

We've got a feeling there are going to be some very excited pups when the field opens - and we’d love to see some photos of the doggos patiently waiting…

📸 If your four-legged friend is one of them, why not post a photo in the comments and tell us their name!

Not on the "pupdates" list yet? You can sign up here:

www.stanwicklakes.org.uk/dog-walking-field

25/08/2026

Pots, pots and more pots!

Whilst the dry weather has meant a brief pause in our Roman Kiln build, Heritage volunteers have been hard at work, helping to create a large number of replica pots that we’ll need for the finished kiln.

Liam and Rob from Woodnewton Workshops have taught volunteers (very patiently!) the techniques of hand building and wheel throwing, and have got us to just under half of what we will need.

The kiln build will continue over the next few weeks, working on the internal structure and raising the level of the external walls, as we work towards a first firing later in the year!

To learn more about our 'From Iron To Empire' project and catch up on some of the stories we’ve already shared, head to:
https://stanwicklakes.org.uk/from-iron-to-empire/

Udig Excavations

24/08/2026

Father Christmas might be on summer holidays like all the rest of us right now, but his elves have been getting ready for his return to Stanwick Lakes this Christmas, and bookings for Santa's Grotto are now open! 🎅

🎟️ Whether you're planning a family visit, looking for a quieter session, want to make a day of it with friends or join a group visit, you can choose your Grotto dates and book your tickets now.

And if you want to make your visit extra festive, look out for the option to add an ✨ Elfish Activity Passport ✨ to your booking. The passport brings together our Christmas trail, crafts and pottery activities into one merry package, and you can get your passport stamped with each one you complete throughout the holidays. It's also a beautiful memento of your visit to take home, and is available at a special price when booked with your Grotto tickets.

🎁 To get a hint of what's happening at Stanwick Lakes this Christmas, see what we've planned so far, and book your Grotto visit, go to:
https://stanwicklakes.org.uk/christmas-at-stanwick-lakes-2026/

23/08/2026

🐶 Ranger Round Up time... and the team has been back at our new dog walking field. For a look at what they've been getting stuck into, over to Ranger Isaac (and Ranger Pip! 🐾)

"We've had plenty of help this week progressing our new dog field. We've been putting a path in to make the bench we installed accessible. Community Payback helped us hugely by moving aggregate with us to form the first layer. Once the bulk bags were half empty, or half-full depending on how you see things, we could use the tractor to move them. This saved our arms big time! The aggregate was then compacted by one of our helpful volunteers, and stone dust added on top to give it a smoother finish. This was a true team effort, and we want to thank everyone who helped out!"

We're getting closer to completion with every update! Make sure you're signed up to our "pupdates" mailing list so you're among the first to hear when we announce our opening date - and when booking is available.

To join the pack to be first in the know: https://stanwicklakes.org.uk/dog-walking-field/

22/08/2026

What changed when the Bronze Age arrived in Britain?

Our first Heritage Talk this autumn explores the major changes that took place during the Bronze Age - from the way people farmed and lived, to how they buried their dead and worshipped.

Professor Stephen Upex will explore what the archaeological landscape can tell us about these changes, how Bronze Age society developed, and who may have been driving them.

📅 Thursday 3rd of September
🕑 2pm - 3pm

🎟️ Tickets are available now:
https://stanwicklakes.org.uk/events/heritage-talk-bronze-age-burials-and-ceremonial-landscape/

Professor Stephen Upex is an archaeologist, author and consultant with a particular interest in British landscape history and archaeology. He has directed excavations across the East Midlands, contributed to several Time Team programmes and has written extensively about the archaeology of the region, including his book Romans in the Nene Valley.

20/08/2026

There’s still time to get creative before the summer holidays come to an end! 🎨

In just over a week, on Friday 28th August, we’ve got a full day of creative workshops at Stanwick Lakes, with a few places still available...


👜 Fabric Printing - morning

Get hands-on with stamps, lino blocks and Lizzie Ault’s own hand-cut printing blocks as you create your own design on a tote bag.

https://stanwicklakes.org.uk/events/fabric-printing-august/


🌞 Embossed Decorations - afternoon

Try foil embossing, a relaxing craft inspired by folk art and seasonal themes, and create your own summer-inspired hanging decorations or garland.

https://stanwicklakes.org.uk/events/embossed-decorations-august/

Both workshops are led by artist Lizzie Ault from Tales from the fen, suitable for ages 7+, with younger children welcome to have a go with supervision.

And a little bonus: parking is included in the ticket price.

Pick your favourite, or make a full creative day of it and try both!

19/08/2026

The Nene Valley Mammal Youth Group (NVMYG) has some exciting events for young nature enthusiasts at Stanwick Lakes this autumn - and you can nab your spot now!

🦇 Friday 11th September
Bat walk with the Valley Bat Group for children aged 11–17.

🦡 Saturday 3rd October
Badger walk and talk with the Badger Group for young adults aged 18 to 30.

🐭 Monday 26th October
Harvest Mouse survey sessions for under-11s and 11–17-year-olds.

🐭 Saturday 31st October
Harvest Mouse survey sessions for young adults aged 18 to 30.

The NVMYG has been set up to provide opportunities for young people to learn about mammals and take action to protect them and is part of the Society’s Local Group Network. The group welcomes young people under the age of 30, and each activity will be designed for specific age groups: primary school-aged children, secondary school-aged children and young adults aged 18 to 30.

To find out more about the group and to book onto events, visit:
https://stanwicklakes.org.uk/mammal-group/

18/08/2026

Found something old that's got you thinking? Let’s see what it could be!

Our next FREE Finds Friday is coming up on Friday the 4th of September, giving you another chance to discover more about the stories behind objects found in the soil.

Whether you’ve been metal detecting, gardening, or simply have a mysterious object at home, bring it along and have a chat with Eleanore Cox, Northamptonshire’s Finds Liaison Officer from the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

From coins and jewellery to tools, metal objects and other historic artefacts, Eleanore can help identify and record archaeological finds over 300 years old from Northamptonshire or elsewhere in the UK.

Friday 4th September, 10.30am–1.30pm, at Stanwick Lakes
FREE – no booking required (usual parking charges apply).

Every object has a history. By recording your find, you can help it become part of the national archaeological record and add another piece to the story of our past.

Just bring along your finds and come and have a chat!

While you're here, why not take a look around our Heritage Museum and explore thousands of years of human settlement at Stanwick Lakes?

You can also pick up a free, updated Heritage Trail leaflet from the visitor centre and take a self-led stroll around the reserve to discover the marker stones and their stories.

17/08/2026

🏃‍♂️ Enjoy getting out for a run? Fancy making a date of it with us this September?

If you’ve been following our Run At Stanwick Lakes events, you’ll know that each season brings a new run and a new medal to earn. And the Autumn edition is next! Taking place on Sunday the 6th of September, you can choose from 5k, 10k or half marathon, taking in scenic routes through the nature reserve.

Register here: https://stanwicklakes.org.uk/stanwick-lakes-run-series/

With traffic-free gravel paths winding through beautiful wetland surroundings, it’s a relaxed, enjoyable setting that makes for a friendly and welcoming event for runners of all abilities.

There are just over two weeks left to enter online to guarantee your Autumn bling, so if this one is on your running calendar, don’t leave it too late.

As well as earning yourself a medal, every entry helps fund our work looking after the nature reserve and maintaining the paths that so many of our visitors enjoy.

Register here: https://stanwicklakes.org.uk/stanwick-lakes-run-series/

Stanwick Lakes Run Series Home > Stanwick Lakes Run Series HomeEvent RegistrationThe Important Stuff!Course MapResultsAbout Run At Stanwick Lakes Welcome to Run At Stanwick Lakes! Picture this: safe, steady gravel paths, crisp morning air filling your lungs, and the panoramic beauty of Stanwick La...

16/08/2026

Another week, another Ranger Round Up!
As well as looking after visitors and keeping everything running smoothly over the busy summer period, the Ranger Team has been keeping their eyes open for much smaller things, too... Over to them!

"We get lots of guests over the holidays, lots of families and groups coming to enjoy our many playgrounds and miles of walking trails, but the warmer weather also brings with it some very tiny summer visitors. We’ve been seeing some very interesting insects over the last couple of weeks.

Some of you may have seen Hummingbird Hawkmoths at home, and we’ve been seeing plenty here too! Our gardens especially have attracted these impressive moths, who hover like a hummingbird above the flowers. One flew right past our heads and we could hear its wings beating!

Another insect we’ve had visit us is a Beewolf. This is a species some of us had never seen, nor heard of, before! They are solitary wasps who prey on bees. They dig burrows into sandy substrates and lay their eggs inside with a cache of food, so that when they hatch they can sustain themselves. We’ve seen quite a few on sandy verges around the site so keep your eyes peeled! They very rarely sting humans as they have no hive to defend, but just to be safe, don’t get too close if you see one."