University of Leicester partnership

The Chester House Estate and the University of Leicester partnership encompasses research, learning, community engagement and enterprise, working in partnership with local communities, organisations and businesses to co-design and deliver projects that explore and celebrate the rich heritage of the region. 

About us

The partnership between the University of Leicester (UoL) and North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) at the Chester House Estate, launched in 2020, represents a pioneering collaboration in community-led research, learning and public engagement. This relationship has brought together the heritage and archaeological expertise of the University and the stewardship of North Northamptonshire Council to unlock the potential of this unique site.

The Chester House Estate is a heritage site of immense archaeological and historical significance, with evidence for 10,000 years of human activity within the Estate. The small Roman town of Irchester lies within the Estate. It is also home to the Archaeological Resource Centre (ARC), a state-of-the-art facility that serves as the official repository for Northamptonshire’s archaeological archives and provides a unique platform for public interaction with the region’s rich heritage.  ARC is a sector-leading institution and one of the three most visited museum stores containing archaeological collections in the United Kingdom. An enthusiastic team of volunteers work on the collections and support public engagement activities. The Estate’s transformation into a publicly accessible hub has been driven by a shared vision of widening access to archaeology and heritage.

The University of Leicester team is coordinated through the University’s Heritage Hub, which brings together academic and professional expertise and lived experience, supporting and facilitating award-winning heritage projects and partnerships across the region and beyond. The team includes staff and students from the School of Heritage and Culture (SHAC) at the University of Leicester, which is home to world-class teaching and research in Ancient History, Archaeology and Museum Studies. The School is renowned for ground-breaking research, discoveries and impact in Archaeology and Ancient History, and has led the field in innovation and practice in Museum Studies for over 60 years. The team also includes staff from the award-winning commercial archaeology unit University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS), with over 30 years’ experience offering a comprehensive, integrated service for all types of archaeological and heritage projects.

Together, the Chester House Estate and the University of Leicester are committed to providing an exceptional range of opportunities for people of all ages to engage with archaeology and heritage, and to develop their knowledge and skills.