Surrey Archaeological Society

14/10/2026

Surrey's Past issue 504 is now out!

The latest edition features a range of pieces covering recent fieldwork and research, including:

- Test pitting in the grounds of Chaldon Court, May 2026
- Picking up the bill: making sense of an unusual medieval method for defining boundaries
- A royal medieval find from Headley
- Making the case for Surrey Museums through Local Government Reorganisation

Surrey History vol 25 also accompanies it, which includes:
- Chobham Rockets
- Plessey, Addlestone
- ‘Michael Field’ in Reigate
- The White Hart Hotel Caves, Reigate

Previous issues, including the most recent June edition, are available on our website
https://www.surreyarchaeology.org.uk/content/surreys-past-formerly-bulletin
https://www.surreyarchaeology.org.uk/content/surrey-history

01/10/2026

Our invetigations at Albury Park are now wrapped up for the season, and what an exciting dig it was! The trenches revealed some interesting results, including masonry-built walls of Roman date, indicating a complex of buildings along the northern banks of the Tillingbourne. Whilst it’s still early days in terms of processing the finds and obtaining firmer dating evidence, it’s a fantastic discovery which adds to the already intriguing history of Albury and its shift in settlement over hundreds of years.

A huge thanks is due to the entire team for all their hard work over the course of the three weeks, whether washing finds, recording, mattocking or even helping with the open day - everyone’s contribution was invaluable, as was the support of the Trustees of the Albury Estate. We’ll report in more detail on the findings in the coming months, including at the March symposium and in a future Surrey’s Past, so do watch this space for more project updates!

12/09/2026

What a fantastic first week at Albury! The team were not deterred from the downpours on day 1 and great progress has been made throughout the week at the Society's community dig exploring the Roman settlement which the Albury Park project has recently revealed. Lots of walls and other features being exposed, and surely more to come.

The Society will have a display on the project at the Old Saxon Church next weekend as part of Heritage Open Days https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/st-peter-and-st-paul-albury-old-saxon-church-3.html. There will also be guided tours of the excavations on Saturday the 19th at 11:00 and 14:00 - see https://www.surreyarchaeology.org.uk/content/albury-park-heritage-open-day for more info

29/07/2026

Booking is now open for the Ivan Margary conference on Saturday 3 October at Kings Church, Lewes (as well as online)

This conference, 50 years after Ivan Margary's death (1896-1976), will celebrate Ivan’s life, work and ongoing legacies (examples being Fishbourne Roman Palace and Avebury). Margary was a national expert on Roman roads, especially in the Weald and South-East England. Speakers at the conference will include: David Calow, Nathalie Cohen, Mike Haken, Tony King, David Millum, Mark Roberts, David Rudling, Miles Russell and Naomi Sykes.

For further information and to book, see https://tixoom.app/sussexarchaeology

Organised by CBA South East in association with Sussex Archaeology and History

Saturday 3rd October at Lewes & online, 10am-5pm
The Ivan Margary Legacy: A Memorial Conference 50 years after Ivan Margary's death to celebrate Ivan’s life, work and ongoing legacies (an example being Fishbourne Roman Palace). Margary was a national expert on Roman roads, especially in the Weald and South-East.
Speakers at the conference will include: David Calow, Nathalie Cohen, Mike Haken, Tony King, David Millum, Mark Roberts, David Rudling, Miles Russell, and Naomie Sykes.
Venue: Kings Church, Lewes and Online
Organisers: The Council for British Archaeology South-East in association with Sussex Archaeology and History.
For further information see: https://tixoom.app/sussexarchaeology

20/07/2026

The Festival of Archaeology has begun and we're really excited about all the events around the county, including talks at Bourne Hall Ewell this week, Kingston Heritage Service's Saxon Fayre this coming Saturday, and National Trust Archaeology walks at Hindhead and Hatchlands. See https://www.archaeologyuk.org/festival.html for the full listing and details.

Our own open day tied to our ongoing fieldwork at Albury Park is this Saturday 25 July (11:00-15:00), where you can come along and see what's been found, or have a go yourself in one of the test pits. No experience needed - families welcome! See https://www.archaeologyuk.org/festival/festival-event-listing/albury-park-test-pitting-open-day-1.html and https://www.surreyarchaeology.org.uk/content/albury-park-test-pitting-and-open-day-0for more info.

Surrey Hills Society will also be hosting a special lecture in the church at 16:00 on Saturday about the project (refreshments included). To book for this event, please see https://www.surreyhillssociety.org/events/the-surrey-archaeological-society-dig-to-discover-a-deserted-medieval-settlement-at-albury/ (booking closes on Wednesday)

02/07/2026

As the final day of fieldwork draws to a close for 2026, we’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has volunteered their time, energy and passion to the Fetcham Springs Communities at the River project. This fascinating project has been made possible thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Why not join us for our Open Day this Saturday 4th July from 10am to 3pm

14/06/2026

What a great couple days at the Surrey Hills Enterprises Country Fair at Merrist Wood this weekend, where we spoke to 100s of visitors about all things archaeology in Surrey - thanks so much to the team for their support

21/05/2026

Fortunate with the weather yesterday to undertake a bit more geophysics at Albury Park, in advance of July's weekend of test pitting!
https://www.surreyarchaeology.org.uk/content/albury-park-test-pitting-and-open-day-0

13/05/2026

Visitors will be pleased that the archaeological displays at Clacket Lane service station (produced by Digging Surrey's Past following excavation in 1992) are now back in place, with the artefacts having been cleaned and repaired, and a few extra added, along with new labels and stands. Thanks to Roadchef, the cases have been refurbished - repaired, repainted and cleaned, with new lighting installed and sand for the medieval sherds on the lower shelf replaced. The whole effect is to make the displays brighter and much more attractive, so please do be sure to (re)visit!

Read more about the original SCAU excavations of the two medieval pottery kiln sites and sections through the London-Lewes Roman road here https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/library/browse/issue.xhtml?recordId=1114975&recordType=GreyLitSeries

09/05/2026

We are flying the flag for Surrey Archaeological Society together with Epsom & Ewell History & Archaeology Society at Bourne Hall. Ewell, as part of Surrey Underground Day. It runs 10-4pm and we have coin experts Ian Franklin and George Duncan available to identify any coins brought in as well as a talk on the Epsom Aurochs and a walk on the archaeology of Bourne Hall. A Kids' Club sand tray dig will be taking place at 1pm (now fully booked). If you are in the area pop in to say hello.