Dorstone Settlement Timeline launches exciting programme of free heritage events
A community dig, wildlife workshops, scientific surveys and more – the Dorstone Settlement Timeline Project is bringing 6,000 years of local history to life in 2026, with a programme of free events open to everyone.
Supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Dorstone project (based at St Faith’s Church, Dorstone) will shine a light on the history of Herefordshire’s Golden Valley – from Neolithic monuments such as Arthur’s Stone to the medieval mysteries of Dorstone Village.
While St Faith’s is currently closed, as building work continues to improve the facilities of the Grade II* listed building as part of the project – an exciting programme of activities is being launched in the churchyard, offering the local community and visitors hands-on ways to engage with the area’s remarkable stories and contribute to valuable research into the settlement’s unique historical environment and rich biodiversity.
Scientific Survey Mornings – 21 April and 19 June 2026
The churchyard at St Faith’s is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna waiting to be discovered. Nature enthusiasts can get involved and help to carry out biodiversity surveys and wildlife recordings, with ecologist Tim Kaye of Cultivating Learning and Nature (CLaN).
As part of the Dorstone project, Tim will be undertaking a full survey of the churchyard and is looking for adult research volunteers to assist with his work on the mornings of 21 April and 19 June.
Data collected will contribute directly to a new Churchyard Management Plan, as well as the National Biodiversity Network. No specific knowledge is required, and all equipment will be provided.
To get involved, please contact Tim.
Wildlife Weekends – May to October 2026
Families and nature lovers of all ages can join in interactive, guided sessions in St Faith’s Churchyard – getting creative and deepening their connection with nature.
These are free, family-friendly events and your findings will contribute directly to the Churchyard Management Plan.
Wildlife Weekends will take place on four Saturdays throughout the year, each with a different theme:
Sat 9 May – Birds
This is a busy month for bird activity, with nesting, feeding and the arrival of migrant birds. Look with binoculars, explore nests and eggs, and craft a willow bird feeder.
Sat 13 June – Plants
Identify a variety of plants using hand lenses, go on a tree trail, and learn to wet felt a leaf.
Sat 11 July – Invertebrates
Peer down a microscope at this bug safari and make your own bugs to take home.
Sat 3 October – Fungi
Discover how important fungi are, find and identify as many types as possible, and play a game of Fungo!
All sessions are free and drop-in, from 10am – 1pm.
Activities will be led by expert wildlife enthusiasts, and all equipment will be provided.
Dorstone Dig: A Medieval Mystery – 1–9 August 2026
The highlight of the events programme will be a community archaeology dig, taking place around Dorstone from 1–9 August, to uncover the village’s medieval past.
Participants will join a live excavation, with varied volunteer roles including archaeological excavation, cleaning and cataloguing finds. This is a rare opportunity to take part in real archaeological fieldwork, on a site that holds 6,000 years of history.
A pre-dig talk will take place on 17 June to introduce the work and techniques involved.
The dig is open to everyone and free of charge – no experience necessary.
Other events to look out for throughout the year will include storytelling sessions with local schools, Discover Dorstone walking routes, and a range of historic craft workshops.
Look out for full details of all events on social media @DorstoneSettlement
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About the Dorstone Settlement Timeline
The Dorstone Settlement Timeline is a heritage project at St Faith’s Church, Dorstone, supported by a £250,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project explores 6,000 years of settlement history in the Herefordshire village and wider Golden Valley, from Neolithic times to the present day. Building works are taking place to modernise facilities at the historic church and to create a permanent home for the Dorstone Settlement Timeline exhibit. Dorstone and surrounding areas are home to extraordinary archaeological, architectural, natural and social heritage – including the Neolithic ‘Halls of the Dead’ on Dorstone Hill, Arthur’s Stone (maintained by English Heritage), Snodhill Castle, and St Faith’s Church. The exhibit and a programme of heritage events and activities will enable people of all ages to engage with this fascinating local history. Follow @DorstoneSettlement on Facebook and Instagram and use #DorstoneSettlement
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage, we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past. Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities. Website: heritagefund.org.uk Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter/X, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLottery #HeritageFund