More than a thousand years ago, a church in Cookham was the focus of a bloody clash between rival medieval kingdoms - and now you can visit a 'nationally significant' excavation to unearth its long lost history. 

The Anglo-Saxon monastery dates back to the 8th century, when it was a key location in a struggle for land between the kingdoms of Wessex and Mercia.

But now there's no need to take up arms to visit - as tours of the site are available across the school summer holidays, giving everyone a chance to see a team from the University of Reading undertake a major archaeological dig. 

A team from the university's Department of Archaeology first discovered parts of the site in 2021, before returning for further investigations over the last two years.  

This work unearthed a cemetery containing more than 50 individuals, and the university team has now returned to learn more about life and death more than 1,200 years ago. 

Professor Gabor Thomas, who is leading the excavations said the discoveries made at Cookham make it a site of national significance.

He said: “Our excavations have begun to paint a detailed picture of the layout and social conditions of the monastery, but there is still a huge amount more to discover.   

“2024’s dig involves further exploration of site’s cemetery. Preliminary indications from excavation of the cemetery suggest that individuals were receiving medical care at the monastery.” 

(Image: University of Reading)

The excavations are on the site of a monastery led by Queen Cynethryth, who ruled the kingdom of Mercia with her husband King Offa in the late 8th century. A network of more than 20 monasteries was established along the route of the Thames from its source to its mouth in the Anglo-Saxon period.  

Visitors are encouraged to combine their tour of the dig with a visit to the Holy Trinity Church. It was the successor to the Anglo-Saxon monastery, and parts of the building date back to the 1140s.   

Father Stephen Mills, Vicar of the Benefice of The Cookhams, said: “The initiative to make archaeology accessible to everyone is truly inspiring.

"From the perspective of Holy Trinity Church, this project not only makes archaeology accessible for the general public but also invites numerous visitors into our ancient church.”  

The dig will be open to visitors until the end of August. The dig will be open to visitors until the end of August. (Image: University of Reading)

The excavations are set to run from 9am to 5pm from Monday, August 5th, to Saturday, August 31st. 

Site tours will be led a senior archaeologist.

 Places can be booked via ticketsource.co.uk, searching for 'Cookham'.

Multiple faith groups, schools, and local organisations have already organised visits to the site during the excavations, according to the dig's team.