In 2017, under the expert guidance of Keith Fitzpatrick Matthews of North Herts Museum, we began a series of archaeological test pits in areas around Walkern to try to make sense of how the village developed over the past 2000+ years. We are very grateful to residents who allowed us to invade their gardens, and to all who helped dig test pits, wash finds and record artefacts.
If you would like to become involved in our 2026 digs, please do contact us – there is something for everyone
Upcoming Test Pit Digs
Walkern Gallery (Date TBC)
The Laurels (Date TBC)
New Rectory (Bockings) (Date TBC)
All of the test pit sites are listed below. The first test pit was at the URC on 6th June 2017. After that all other test pits are arranged from the North of the village to the South.
To find out more about each test pit, click on the image for more pictures.
URC 6th June 2017
This was the first test pit dig.
Some finds are considered to date back to prehistoric times.
Old School House 11th June 2017
Finds were largely from 18th and 19th century and associated with the school
The Bockings 23rd August 2025
Finds included a worked flint, lots of medieval pottery and a turquoise bead which could date back to the Bronze age.
Bridgefoot Farm 18th August 2018
A linen smoother and some Roman and medieval finds
Glebe Farm 16th July 2017
Two test pits were dug at this site. Building foundations and a hearth stone were revealed in one of the test pits.
URC 14th September 2019
We returned to the chapel grounds for a second dig.
Manor Farm 5th July 2025
Lots of roman and medieval finds, including adjoining sherds from a roman amphora
Dovehouse 9th September 2017
Finds include prehistoric flints and fragments from a 16th/17th century drinking vessel called a Tyg
Walkern Gallery 12th August 2017
The first of two digs produced a fine selection of artefacts including roman ceramics and early medieval Stamford Ware
Walkern Gallery 10th August 2019
The second dig revealed a chalk floor, the base of a roman flagon and some 13th century Hertfordshire Greyware.
The White Lion 15th September 2018
Finds include some flint from late meseolithic / early neolithic time
62 High Street 18th May 2019
In this site, opposite the White Lion, we found some medieval glass and lots of ceramic building material
Totts Lane 12th May 2018
Finds from this site included 17th and 18th century ceramics.
96 High Street 9th June 2018
A roman tessera and some medieval pottery sherds were found here.
65 High Street 12th April 2025
This house was the Three Horseshoes Public House. Finds included a black basalt sherd
97 High Street 17th May 2025
160 High Street 17th September 2022
39 Moors Ley 22nd April 2025
Springhill 12th August 2025
An iron age or early medieval stone was found that included mica
Walkern Mill 13th June 2019
The first of two digs at this site. Hertfordshire Greyware, some mesolithic flints and some neolithic pottery sherds were found.
Walkern Mill 27th May 2023
Hertfordshire Greyware was also found in the second dig as well as some medieval pottery.