Upcoming Events
Ashford Museum: Chilmington in Wartime Museum Display: Throughout July & August 2025
Our Chilmington in Wartime research will be available to view at Ashford Museum from July until the end of August 2025.
Ashford Museum, The Churchyard, TN23 1QG: Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 2pm (closed Sunday & Monday)
Coleman’s Kitchen Earthwork and Woodland Survey: Saturday 6th September 2025
Calling all budding archaeological fieldworkers! The volunteer research team will be heading outdoors to undertake a woodland survey of the historically important site of Coleman’s Kitchen Wood this September! All ages are welcome, but places are limited, so don’t delay, register your interest today! [email protected]
Please contact [email protected] for further details
Ashford Museum: An Introduction to the Archaeology of Chilmington: Museum Display: Throughout September & October 2025
Discover one of east Kent’s most important and, until now, little known archaeological landscapes at Ashford Museum. We will be showcasing the ‘story so far’ regarding settlement and landscape change in and around Chilmington from the Old Stone Age to the present day. Highlights include Iron Age warrior burials, Roman settlements and more!
Ashford Museum, The Churchyard, TN23 1QG: Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 2pm (closed Sunday & Monday)
The Community Cabin: Chilmington in Wartime Museum Display: From September 2025 onwards
Our Chilmington in Wartime research will be available to view in the Community Cabin from September 2025 onwards.
The Community Cabin, Unit 1 Chilmington Avenue, TN23 8AU.
Past Events
Great Chart Big Lunch Museum Pop-Up: Sunday 13th July 2025
Our pop-up museum will be arriving in Great Chart just in time for the Big Lunch on 6th July! Come and see an exciting array of finds from the local area, including prehistoric flintwork and Roman pottery! This family-friendly event also features free bouncy castles, picnic areas, crafting activities and face painting!
Great Chart Playing Fields: Sunday 13th July 2025, 11am to 2.30pm
Ashford Museum: Launch of our Chilmington in Wartime display: 12th July 2025
Join us at Ashford Museum on Saturday 12th July from 2pm to 4pm for the launch of our Chilmington in Wartime display. Meet members of the Chilmington Archaeology & History Volunteer Research Team, discover our fascinating research about Chilmington in wartime, and find out more about our project more generally!
Ashford Museum, The Churchyard, TN23 1QG: Saturday 12th July 2025, 2pm to 4pm
Salute to the 1940s: 5th July 2025 from 10am: Newtown Green, Ashford, Kent
We’re so happy to have been invited by our friends at Ashford Museum to exhibit our World War II research at this fabulous celebration of all things 1940s, in honour of VE and VJ day! There will be children’s entertainment, live music, dancing, a display of 1940s vehicles, and a real-life Spitfire to view! An event that is not to be missed!
Newtown Green, Ashford: 5th July from 10am onwards. See also: Salute to the 1940s | Newtown Green | 5th July 2025 | From 10am
80th anniversary of VE Day
Join us on the 80th anniversary of VE Day for a fascinating journey into the past!
AOC Archaeology and The Chilmington Archaeology & History Research Group will be presenting the findings of the Chilmington Green Community Archaeology Project, where local volunteers have uncovered moving stories and hidden history about Chilmington during the war.
10.30am -4pm
Free Entry
A wonderful day of local heritage, stories, and wartime memories – perfect for all ages!”
The event will be listed as being held at the Ashford Gateway building.
Volunteer meet-up:
Chilmington Archaeology & History Research Group
The Chilmington Archaeology & History Research Group meet on the last Tuesday of every month in the Community Cabin (excluding our Christmas break in December and our summer break across July and August), where we will discuss all updates and developments in an open and collaborative environment. New members are very welcome to attend. You can register your interest at
[email protected], or just drop into one of our meetings! For those that can’t make it every week, a summary of our discussions are circulated to all members of the Group, and our findings are posted here on this website. on this website.
We are presently focusing upon our ‘Enduring Landscapes’ topic and are investigating settlement patterns in the Chilmington area from the prehistoric period to the recent past.
List of upcoming dates:
- 25th February 2025
- 25th March 2025
- 29th April 2025
- And the last Tuesday of the month (excluding December and August) until February 2027!
Tuesday
26th November: Chilmington Archaeology & History Research Group: Chilmington Green Community Cabin: 7.30pm to 9pm
The Chilmington Green Archaeology & History Research Group are holding their first meeting in the Community Cabin on Tuesday 26th November, where we are tackling our first research theme, Chilmington in Wartime. A great opportunity to meet like-minded people from your local area! Drop in if you would like to find our more or get involved. There will be hot drinks and nibbles to tempt you…
Chilmington Green Community Cabin, Unit 1 Chilmington Avenue, Chilmington Green, Ashford, Kent, TN23 8AU.
Wednesday 29th October: Chilmington Green Timeline Detectives: Chilmington Community Cabin: 10am to 3pm
We’ll be running a holiday archaeology workshop for pre-schoolers and primary school-aged children in the Community Cabin this October half term. Learn about how archaeology forms, how and why archaeologists dig, and why Chilmington Green is so special. Become a Timeline Detective with our community archaeology team, and earn your Timeline Detective Certificate! CMO Community Cabin, Unit 1 Chilmington Avenue, Chilmington Green, Ashford, Kent, TN23 8AU.
Free: no need to book- just drop in!
Saturday 26th October: Launch Event: Ashford Museum Annexe: 11am to 4pm
Drop in to Ashford Museum’s learning centre to discover more about the archaeology of Chilmington. Find out what the team already knows, and how this community project will change and improve our present understanding of the area. There will be pop-up displays and crafting activities for children based around the nationally important Iron Age warrior burials at Brisley Farm. This event is suitable for all ages. Ashford Museum Annexe, 57 High Street, Ashford, TN24 8SG.
Free: no need to book, just drop in!
Saturday 26th October: Autumn Lectures and Wine Reception: Ashford Museum Annexe: 4.30pm to 6.00pm
Join AOC’s community archaeology team and a fantastic selection of archaeological experts for a wine reception and a series of lectures focussed on Chilmington’s ancient past. Prior knowledge of archaeology is not necessary- all that’s needed is a desire to meet like-minded people and find out more about your local area! This event is aimed at adults, however younger guests with a keen interest are more than welcome (soft drinks will also be provided!). Ashford Museum Annexe, 57 High Street, Ashford, TN24 8SG.
Ticketed but free: book your place here
Follow us on our socials to keep up to date with the latest developments.
#Chilmington
Volunteering Opportunities
We’re looking for armchair archaeologists to help us with our research. All you need is a computer and internet access to get involved at a time, place and pace that works for you. Our volunteers are also invited to monthly socials, where you can chat with the rest of the team and compare notes! We are particularly looking for volunteers from the Chilmington development to join us in learning about their new home. Our research themes are:
For those who like to get out and about, between now and February 2027, we’ll be undertaking the following fieldwork to supplement our research themes that will require volunteer assistance:
- Gravestone and Protection Mark Survey
- Ancient Woodland Survey
- World War II Heritage Survey
We have opportunities to suite everyone (adults, young people and children) on a one-off, occasional and more regular basis. No experience is necessary- a community archaeologist will be on hand to provide training and answer questions.
Contact us to express your interest and to find an opportunity that is right for you.
