Discover 12,000 Years Of History When The A66 Pop Up Museum Tours Comes To Penrith

A66 Pop Up Museum tours are coming to Penrith and other local communities along the Northern Trans-Pennine route, bringing the story of the A66 excavations directly to local venues. The exhibition showcases remarkable discoveries uncovered during archaeological investigations carried out as part of the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine upgrade.

Whether you’re a lifelong archaeology enthusiast, curious about local history, or looking for a family-friendly day out, the Field Museum offers a unique opportunity to explore the heritage of the A66 and discover what archaeologists have learned about the people who lived, travelled, and worked here.

Helen Evans, archaeology project manager at Oxford Archaeology, said: “The discoveries we’ve made along the A66 provide tantalising glimpses of the past occupants of the Eden valley.”

“How they lived and worked the land, their beliefs, the tools they used and even what they wore.”

What to expect:

At each venue, you can:

• View and handle archaeological artefacts discovered during the A66 excavations;
• Learn about the excavation process and how archaeologists investigate the past;
• Explore displays and interpretation panels explaining key discoveries;
• Meet members of the archaeological team and ask questions about the findings from the project;
• Discover how local communities have shaped and been shaped by this landscape through time;
• Get involved in a range of activities.

Alan Ford, A66 heritage lead for Atkins Realis, said: “We knew as we planned the archaeological investigations for National Highways A66 North Pennine Route Upgrade that we were going to essentially rewrite what we understood about how human settlement has developed in the upper Eden valley over millennia.

“Those expectations have been matched and surpassed with identification of a fascinating history that spans almost 12,000 years.

“To bring this story to the communities along the route to which this story truly belongs was always a principal aim of the project.

“This series of superb travelling museum events is your chance to experience this fantastic journey across a landscape and across time.”

All Field Museum events are free to attend and suitable for visitors of all ages. No booking is required.

Find a venue near you:

The exhibition will visit a number of locations across the region. Each venue page includes opening times, accessibility information, parking details, and suggestions for making the most of your visit. Click on a venue below to find out more.

Current venues include:

Warcop Parish Hall: 3-4 October

Appleby Public Hall: 10-11 October

Kirkby Thore Memorial Hall: 24-25 October

Penrith Rooms: 30-31 October

Tullie Museum, Carlisle: 14-15 November