Join Heneb and The Penllergare Trust this July for an exciting two-week community archaeology excavation in the Valley Woods.

Following successful excavations in 2022 which uncovered a remarkably well-preserved corn-drying kiln we are returning to the site of the ‘Old Mill’ to uncover further 18th-century masonry structures, conduct geophysical surveys, and hunt for conclusive evidence of the mill building itself.

This project is funded by The Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG) scheme.

No prior experience is necessary! The expert team from Heneb will guide you through every step, from delicate trowelling to site recording.

Key Information

• Dates & Times: Monday 20th July to Friday 31st July 2026, running daily from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
• What to Bring: Please wear sturdy footwear (boots or strong trainers) and weather-proof clothing. Remember to pack a lunch and a water bottle. All excavation tools are provided.

Parking & Facilities

We kindly ask all registered volunteers to use the Staff Car Park (accessed via the A48 next to the Lezzet Café layby) to keep the main public spaces free for daily visitors. Volunteers accredited to the project will receive free parking during their shifts.

The main toilets and Coffee Shop are located at the Public Car Park. Please note that the dig site is a scenic, sloped 5-to-10-minute walk down into the valley from these facilities, so please plan your breaks accordingly.

How to Sign Up

Spaces are strictly limited to 8–10 volunteers per day to ensure safety and hands-on training.

Secure your spot directly on the Heneb Volunteer Registration Page.

Note for Current Volunteers

If you already volunteer with the Penllergare Trust, please explicitly mention this when booking so we can coordinate our teams smoothly!

For technical project enquiries, you can contact the Heneb team at [email protected]