HS2 excavation of Stoke Mandeville church to open to public
The medieval church has more than 900 years of history that will be shared at St Mary's Field Museum
Emily Craigie
A new museum at a HS2 excavation site in Stoke Mandeville is opening later this month as archaeologists dig up the site.
The Old St Mary's Church sits on the HS2 line and work is taking place to move thousands of bodies from the site, the church fell into disrepair in the late 1800s - the final person was buried there in 1908.
Forty archaeologists are working at the site in a tent the size of a football pitch and expect to uncover around 3,000 burials. The church was originally built in 1080AD and archaeologists believe their work could unearth more than 900 years of history of what life was life in the area.
The St Mary's Field Museum plans to tell the story of the role of the medieval church in the community from its construction to its decline through the ruins.
You will be able to climb up to the viewing platform for a bird's eye view across the excavations and there will also be displays and films, as well as experts available to talk about the ongoing works.
This work at the HS2 site has been ongoing since 2018 and last year it was announced that unusual stone carvings, medieval graffiti, and other markings had been discovered causing people to question whether they were sundials or witching marks.
Dr Rachel Wood, Project Archaeologist for Fusion JV, said: "The excavation of the medieval church at St Mary's will offer real insight into what life was like in Stoke Mandeville for over nine centuries. Those buried there will be remembered once again and the lives they lived over 900 years understood.
"The best way to honour the dead is to understand their stories and how they lived their lives. Ultimately, this is what the works at the site of Old St Mary's church will do, providing a lasting legacy to the present community of Stoke Mandeville."
The pop-up museum will be open to the public on Saturday, May 29 and Sunday, May 30, and at regular dates throughout the summer.
You can book tickets for the opening weekend from May 17 here and booking will end at 10am on Friday May 28. The timeslots are:
10am – 11am
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