Archaeological research centre plan for popular county National Trust venue

The heritage guardians are planning the centre for Attingham Park, on the outskirts of Shrewsbury at Atcham, and are looking for an archaeologist to work there.

In a document outlining its ambitions for the site the National Trust says the development is planned alongside ambitious proposals for a new 'outdoor hub' at the attraction.

The outdoor hub plans are currently being assessed by Shropshire Council, which will decide whether they are approved.

The trust said that the archaeological centre would provide a 'long-term' presence at the site which is active all year, and would offer chances for people to take part in 'archaeological excavation'.

The document states: "Situated on the edge of the Shropshire Plain, within sight of the Shropshire Hills, the 4,000-acre Attingham Estate is a rich archaeological landscape and a vital green corridor between the growing urban hubs of Shrewsbury and Telford.

"Attingham Park, the 400 acre visitor attraction at its heart, attracts around 600k visitors a year around 80 per cent from the local area. Beyond the registered Parkland, most of the estate consists of tenanted farmland, and a scattering of woodland managed by the NT team.

"A new outdoor hub site located at an old WWII airfield at the heart of the estate is currently going through planning with the intention of opening in Summer of 2026 to accommodate at least another 350k visitors within 10 years.

"Extensive archaeological resource has been identified across the whole Estate, including through a recent geophysical survey.

"The Attingham Estate has been identified as a potential ‘pathfinder’ for the development of an Archaeological Research Centre (ARC) in support of the core visitor offer and particularly in association with the development of the outdoor hub.

"An ARC is envisioned as a long-term place-based archaeological presence, active year-round but centred on seasonal fieldwork programmes and focussed on delivering experiences and connection to heritage through archaeology.

"Offering opportunities for extensive participation in archaeological excavation; driving engaging visitor experiences of conservation in action; and acting as an anchor for partnerships with local communities and heritage organisations."

The document outlines how the trust is seeking a £29k-a-year project manager - with applications closing on February 16.

It states: "We’re seeking an Archaeology Project Manager to test and develop the concept of an ARC at Attingham and produce the business case and operating model – determining archaeological potential and requirements; testing the business model of paid archaeological experiences; identifying and establishing partnerships; engaging with visitors and local communities."