Ancient Technology Centre

20/05/2026

THE VOTES ARE IN! Everyone meet MORAG (brown) and ASTRID (grey). Thanks to everyone who helped us name our newest residents. They're settling in well with our two older boys Albert and Krypton (also pictured so they don't get jealous of all the attention!)

15/05/2026

NEW SHEEP ALERT!!! Help us name our lovely new ewes. Please comment with your favourite from our shortlist below, nominated by our staff, volunteers, facebook followers and visiting groups:

MORAG
MARJORIE
ASTRID
INGRID
EDITH
CELIA

We'll count up the comments and use the top two. Names will be announced next Wednesday so get your votes in!

06/05/2026

Pleased to meet ewe!

We have two new Shetland sheep added to our dwindling flock of heritage breeds.

One brown moorits and one grey katmogets.

Albert and Krypton are getting used to them already - see the size difference!

We are in need of some names for these two youngsters, both female.

Suggestions please!!

07/04/2026

Courses this weekend! Look at our website for more details as there are a few spaces remaining.

- prehistoric fire-lighting
- amber jewellery
- prehistoric pottery (half day)
- Spring foraging
- flint knapping
- pewter casting (half day)
- prehistoric hunting techniques
- Bronze Age coiled basketry & twining
- blacksmithing

Some family friendly courses aged 8 upwards.
Make memories together!

30/03/2026

Thank you to all our visitors over our Prehistory Open Weekend 2026.

Did you see out impressive new barge boards on the Viking Longhouse? Hand carved by our talented volunteers.

The weather held for most of it (one hail shower, some drizzle!) and our guest reenactors, living historians, archaeologist groups, volunteers, staff and WI caterers all showcased their talents and love of history.

One take away comment from a visiting youngster was "history is not behind a screen at a museum; you get to actually do things and you're living it!"

We would be grateful for more feedback for our Centre which you can access through the pop-up on our website, and also in the link in the comments below. Feedback helps to inform our priorities and future funding bids so please do help us.

If you would like more activities during the Easter holidays, some for families, look at the COURSES page on our website where you'll see some familiar faces from open weekend.

The next open weekend is Dark Ages 25th & 26th July - save the date!

28/03/2026

Prehistory Weekend day one - let's do it all again tomorrow!

Come and see Iron Age reenactors, warrior and Living history in the roundhouse. Hear the call of the drum from and the call of the carnyx. Gather in the Earthouse to hear Lizzie Bryant Storyteller wind her tales around the year of the horse. Explore the archaeological crafts of and sign up to a workshop! Try stone age fire lighting with and learn the stone age ways from Luke. PLUS the project Bournemouth University with paints and pigments.

Phew! And that's without mentioning the fantastic Ancient Technology Centre Volunteer Association & tutor have a go activities, displays and site tours. AND check out the hand made and drawn items for sale in our gift shop. They are an extremely talented bunch!

And the Blandford Evening WI serving home made cakes, teas and coffees and the hot BBQ food!

Open 10am to 4pm (don't forget the hour change!)
Bring cash and coins for use on site - card payment available on the ticket desk.
£10 adults, £5 children, under 4's free.
No dogs please.

Photos courtesy of Andrew Chorley

See you there!

23/03/2026

As coppicing season draws to a close one of our last Saturdays was filled with sunshine, laughter, and woods archaeology! Thank you to the ATC volunteers association and the Sanctuary Project from Bournemouth Uni.

We'll be back in September!

If you're interested in learning coppicing talk to our staff and volunteers at our Open weekend 28th & 29th March.

26/02/2026

Join our team!

View details and apply for this Administrative Assistant vacancy in Wimborne. We are looking for an Outdoor Education Administrative Assistant at Cranborne Ancient Technology Centre. An experienced administrator is welcome to join the small team on a term time only 12...

25/02/2026

We are delighted to have been consulted for this up-coming documentary exploring Stonehenge.
Thank you all who came to help move the monolith!

12/02/2026

We can't wait to welcome back The Crick Crack Club for their first Storytelling of 2026!

Step into a maelstrom of myth, as storytellers Ben Haggarty and Steph Brittain pick through fragments of voices, medieval manuscript, and song to piece together a story of love, loss and destiny – a Celtic Iliad.