Our Archaeology for Wellbeing programme is a six-week course designed for people experiencing mild to moderate anxiety or depression, loneliness, or long-term health conditions. Developed in partnership with the Surrey County Archaeological Unit (SCAU), the course uses archaeology as a way to promote connection, learning, and a sense of belonging. The six-week course is a pilot scheme and we hope it will lead to future work of this nature.
Digging for the Past, Growing in the Present
Over the six weeks, participants join community archaeologists from SCAU and a team of volunteers to explore the rich and varied history of the West Horsley Place estate. Activities include gentle archaeological digs, exploring the grounds, and opportunities to study artefacts uncovered on site.
The estate’s landscape, shaped over centuries, provides a fascinating backdrop: from medieval fishponds and Tudor gardens to traces of earlier settlement. Each discovery adds to our understanding of how people have lived and worked here — and invites reflection on our own place in that long story.
As Jo Ellison, Arts Heritage and Learning Co-ordinator, explains:
“Archaeology has this wonderful ability to ground us — to make us feel connected to something bigger than ourselves. Every find at West Horsley Place, no matter how small, will tell a story about people who used the Manor House and estate before us. And in uncovering their lives, participants often find new perspectives on their own.”
Heritage and Wellbeing
The project is rooted in the idea that engagement with heritage can support mental health — something increasingly recognised across the cultural and health sectors. The Council for British Archaeology notes that “heritage and archaeology provide unique opportunities to connect with the past, gain perspective, and foster a sense of belonging… offering numerous mental health benefits.”
The sessions follow the Five Ways to Wellbeing framework:
Connect – through shared experiences with others and with the history of place.
Be Active – gentle physical activity such as walking and digging.
Take Notice – mindful engagement with nature and heritage surroundings.
Keep Learning – discovering new skills and insights about the past.
Give – contributing time and energy to the care of local heritage.
Participants not only learn about archaeology but also about the power of the landscape to inspire reflection, confidence, and connection.
Part of a Wider Landscape Story
The Archaeology for Wellbeing programme is one strand of a larger initiative at West Horsley Place to restore and reinterpret the historic landscape.
This work is helping to uncover lost features such as ancient fishponds, reconstruct the stories of those who lived and worked here, and open up new ways for people to engage with our heritage. Importantly, it also places wellbeing at the heart of our approach — recognising that heritage can play a vital role in supporting mental health, community cohesion, and individual fulfilment.
A Shared Future for Heritage and Health
Through initiatives like Archaeology for Wellbeing, West Horsley Place is reimagining what it means to be a historic estate. We are deeply grateful to the The National Lottery Heritage Fund and to all National Lottery players whose support makes this work possible. Together, we are proving that heritage can do more than preserve old walls and artefacts — it can nurture connection, resilience, and wellbeing for generations to come.
