New archaeological exhibition opens at Attingham Park
Step into the Silver Vaults at Attingham and uncover the story of a remarkable archaeological journey.
Attingham Unearthed 2025 brought together expert archaeologists, dedicated volunteers and local community groups, all working side by side to explore the hidden history beneath the parkland. Now, for the first time, you can discover the finds they revealed.
This display brings the past closer, sharing objects and insights from a thriving landscape shaped over thousands of years. Highlights include traces of a Roman shrine, offering a glimpse into spiritual life nearly two millennia ago, alongside evidence of an industrial complex that speaks to the area’s working past. Even earlier still are the remains of an Iron Age roundhouse, helping us imagine the lives of the people who first called this place home.
Nestled in the heart of rural Shropshire, the Attingham Estate is not only a place of natural beauty and historic grandeur, but it is also situated within a rich archaeological landscape that tells the story of thousands of years of human activity.
From prehistoric settlements and the beginning of agriculture to Roman roads and buildings to medieval settlements and 18th-century parkland design, the estate offers a unique window into the lives of those who shaped and were shaped by this land.
In 2025, the National Trust launched Attingham Unearthed, a pilot archaeological project at Attingham Estate in Shropshire. It was the first step in testing a new model for Archaeological Research, with the aim of creating hands-on, sustainable archaeology experiences across selected Trust sites.
Peeling back layers of history in three trenches and several test pits, revealed an Iron Age roundhouse, a Roman industrial complex, and a shrine. Participants helped uncover a range of artefacts that bring texture to the lives lived here almost two millennia ago.
Altogether, these finds show that these areas of Attingham Estate were more than just farmland on the city’s doorstep, it was a lived-in, worked, and sacred space, connected to wider networks of belief, trade, and military life.
Whether it’s a Roman curse, an incense bowl from a Roman shrine, or a metal handle from a soldier’s helmet, the exhibition will showcase the finds and stories of what came before us, linking Attingham to the people and places at the heart of its history.
Through carefully displayed artefacts, interpretation and stories from the dig, you’ll see how each discovery adds a piece to Attingham’s bigger picture. The exhibition celebrates not only what was found, but how it was found, through collaboration, curiosity and a shared passion for heritage.
The exhibition will run from Saturday 6 June until Sunday 27 September, and coincides with the Council of British Archaeology’s Festival of Archaeology 2026, giving everyone the chance to get closer to their past.
Attingham Park is open 8 am till 6.30 pm, last entry 6 pm. Normal admission charges apply, free for National Trust members, no booking required. The Mansion and exhibition are open daily, 11 am - 4 pm.
