Cookham Monastery Excavation Returns for 2025 with Major New Discoveries

Families are welcome to learn about local life 1,200 years ago thanks to a dig at Cookham Abbey between 16th July & 9^th August.

Cookham Monastery Excavation Reveals Anglo-Saxon History

Archaeologists have returned to continue the Cookham monastery excavation this summer, aiming to uncover more about life, death, and care at this rare Anglo-Saxon site. Located on land owned by Holy Trinity Church in Cookham, the monastery dates back to the 8th and 9th centuries. The well-preserved site first came to light in 2021, discovered by the University of Reading’s Archaeology Department.

Discoveries from the Cookham Monastery Excavation

The Cookham monastery excavation focuses on a site led by Queen Cynethryth, who ruled Mercia alongside her husband, King Offa, in the late 8th century. This monastery was part of a network of more than 20 similar sites along the Thames River during the Anglo-Saxon era. Professor Gabor Thomas, heading the excavation, highlights the site’s national importance based on recent finds.

So far, the team has uncovered several key features during the Cookham monastery excavation:

• A cemetery holding remains of over 50 individuals across three generations, many showing signs of illness and poor health.
• A large timber building believed to be a central communal hall of the monastery.
• A well with a wooden barrel-lined shaft preserving wooden artifacts.
• A possible watermill located near the modern Thames course.

Visiting the Cookham Monastery Excavation This Summer

Between July 16th and August 9th, the public can visit the ongoing Cookham monastery excavation. Friends of Cookham Abbey offer tours with tickets available on TicketSource.co.uk. To learn more, check the Friends of Cookham Abbey website or join their Facebook group.

Local schools will also have a rare opportunity to visit between July 16th and 22nd. Teachers interested in booking a visit can email sarah.parfitt@cookhamabbey.org.uk. Starting in October, the Friends of Cookham Abbey engagement team will run school workshops, with bookings opening soon.

Visitors are encouraged to combine their Cookham monastery excavation tour with a visit to Holy Trinity Church, which succeeded the Anglo-Saxon monastery. The church contains parts dating back to the 1140s. Nearby, the Stanley Spencer Gallery offers another cultural highlight. After exploring the site, enjoy a stroll along the Thames, have a picnic, or visit the many local cafes and restaurants.

Make a day of your visit and experience the rich history uncovered by the Cookham monastery excavation.

To learn more about the excavation, click here.

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