Join English Heritage and Stone Club for a special free and fantastic foray into all things flint at Grime's Graves on June 15 & 16.

To celebrate the recent re-opening of the historically important neolithic site following a major revamp, the Grime's Graves Flint Festival, last held in 2017, is being revived. This year will see an even bigger line-up with two jam-packed days of workshops, demos, talks, storytellers, and tours which will take us to the depths of the earth and the Neolithic world which helped shape who we are today. The event has been made possible by funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to National Lottery players.

Festival goers will be able to try their hand at the ancient skill of flint knapping and other crafts with Memma the Cavewomen and her team of prehistoric experts in the craft village. In the talks tent a stellar line-up of eminent archaeologists, authors and artists will join Stone Club co-founder Matthew Shaw for talks and discussions. The line-up includes legendary Time Team star Phil Harding, who will be sure to share his passion for Grime's and his half a century-old love affair with flint.

For the more energetic, visitors will be able to explore the unique and wonderful lunar landscape which sits above the labyrinth of ancient flint mines and follow the new family trail. Resident storyteller 'Yarnsmith of Norwich' may appear along the way and will be spinning tales all weekend out in the hallows. Norfolk Wildlife Trust will also be offering field trips to demonstrate the richness of the site's biodiversity.

Adventures await below ground also, with the chance to descend into the old flint mines, first dug over 4,500 years ago, and see new audio-visual projections which bring to life the ingenuity and know-how of our neolithic ancestors as they carved their way through the earth in pursuit of the highly prized jet-black Norfolk flint. The stone was transported far and wide and used widely for tools, weapons and ceremonial objects.

Robin Sullivan, Community Engagement Officer, English Heritage, says: “Grime's Graves is such a special and amazing place and we wanted to put on an experience which celebrates its beauty and space, and also gives visitors the chance to understand and appreciate the skills and culture of the neolithic miners who explored here and the importance of flint to social development and progress. It will be a fantastic day out with experts who share our passion for this unique site.”

Lally MacBeth, co-founder of Stone Club, says: ““We are delighted to be bringing Stone Club to Grimes Graves for this exciting festival. This will be the first Stone Club event in Norfolk, and we are thrilled to be partnering with English Heritage. Grimes Graves provides the perfect location for people to enjoy a journey back into pre-history.”

The Flint Festival is free to enter, no need to book, although admission charges do apply for those who wish to descend into the mines. For more information: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/grimes-graves-flint-festival-15-jun-16-jun-24/