A site visit to the Churches Conservation Trust's Old Black Lion project in Northampton followed by a guided tour of the local area by archaeologist Andy Chapman.

We have an exciting opportunity for the Northamptonshire Society of Architects to visit site works in progress at the Old Black Lion pub on Marefair, Northampton followed by a guided tour of the local area by archaeologist Andy Chapman. 

The £3.5m project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, HM Treasury’s Towns Fund, West Northamptonshire Council, the Architectural Heritage Fund and West Northamptonshire Development Corporation. This is an important local project and strategically placed as part of the regeneration of Northampton Town Centre. 

The Old Black Lion pub is next door to the 12th century, Grade 1 listed St Peter’s Church, which was restored by the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) in the late 1990s. Despite periods of use by the community and an active Friends group, in recent years the church has struggled to function as a heritage landmark and venue, and it has subject to break-ins and criminal activity. The historic coaching inn has been empty since 2018, and is now also being restored by the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT). Its hospitality facilities and toilets will support the use of St Peter's as a heritage landmark and community asset. Recent works have involved an archaeological investigation of the courtyard. The site visit is to be generously hosted by contractor Midland Conservation. 



The site visit will be followed by a fascinating tour of the nearby sites of the Middle Anglo-Saxon timber hall and medieval Northampton Castle, led by archaeologist Andy Chapman, formerly Senior Archaeologist with Northamptonshire Archaeology. As our starting point will be the Old Black Lion, we will explore the Middle Anglo-Saxon halls and the lost church of St Gregory's and then cross the road to the castle site. This will provide an insight into the medieval topography of the area, with St Peter's church being the one surviving element of an historic landscape.

We will meet at 11am at the front door of St Peter’s Church, Marefair, Northampton NN1 1SW. 

Please wear site boots if you have them. The contractor will provide hard hats and vests.