Join us for a full day of midsummer celebrations at Stanwick Lakes, with living history, heritage crafts, evening workshops and a magical night swim beneath the stars.
From family activities in the afternoon to creative workshops at sunset and late-night swimming after dark, there’s plenty to discover as we get ready for the longest day of the year.

Celebrations begin from 12 noon and evening experiences from 8pm.

Event highlights:

Roman Camp: Longthorpe Legion:

Step into Roman Britain and discover life in the valley nearly 2,000 years ago. Meet soldiers and civilians as they demonstrate daily routines, equipment and skills, offering a glimpse into the Roman world as part of our From Iron to Empire project. Explore how people lived, worked and adapted to the seasons in this ever-changing landscape.

Solstice Craft Activities:

Create your own solstice-inspired keepsakes using natural materials and traditional techniques – from woven corn dollies to sun-shaped crafts. Perfect for families and creative visitors of all ages. Small charges apply.

Ancient Traditions with Northampton Pagans:

Gather around the fire and explore the deeper meaning of the solstice through ancient beliefs and seasonal traditions. Enjoy oracle readings, storytelling and rhythmic drumming while learning about midsummer customs from Roman-era and pre-Christian cultures.

Viking Camp: Bifrost Guard:

Venture into a Viking encampment and discover traditional crafts, tools and everyday skills. Learn how communities across history marked the changing seasons and celebrated the power of the sun.
Heritage Craft Demonstrations

Watch live demonstrations including pole lathe woodworking and traditional textile techniques, and learn about natural dyeing and ancient materials with the Northampton Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers.

These heritage crafts connect directly to the landscape, materials and traditions at the heart of our From Iron to Empire project.

Solstice Lates Workshops – (ticketed event):
Book early to secure your place at one of our small evening workshops:

Corn Dollies: Mordiford Heart
Traditional straw plaiting to create a heart-shaped corn dolly to keep or gift.

Lino Fabric Printing
Create and print your own design onto a tea towel or tote bag with artist Lizzie Ault.

Paint & Sip: Watercolours
Relax with resident artist Louise Berrill and paint a lakeside-inspired watercolour with a welcome cocktail (or Nosecco).

Solstice Night Swim (ticketed):

A guided night swim at Stanwick Lakes as the water takes on a calm after-dark atmosphere. Bring a head torch or fairy lights and swim beneath the midsummer sky.

Includes a full safety briefing, one-hour supervised swim, glow safety light, hot drink, campfire snack and parking. Suitable for adults aged 18+.

Daytime celebrations are free (usual parking charges apply, evening celebrations are ticketed events. All proceeds from parking and ticketed events support the Rockingham Forest Trust's heritage education and conservation work at Stanwick Lakes. Parking is included with Solstice Lates workshop tickets and Solstice Night Swim Tickets.

Please visit the website for further details.