Bringing Communities Together Through Local History: Free Archaeological Workshop in Burgess Hill

- 23/04/2026

On Wednesday 8 April, Residents of Burgess Hill delved into their town’s rich archaeological heritage at a free hands-on workshop, uncovering stories from the past and forging new community connections. Led by MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology), Sage Homes, and Mid Sussex District Council, the event celebrated local history while highlighting the area’s new communities being built as part of the Brookleigh development.

Hosted at Burgess Hill Town Football Club, the workshop invited the community to explore stories from the past through a range of interactive activities. Participants examined historic maps, learned about ancient homes, heard from experienced archaeologists and handled real archaeological artefacts, offering a unique insight into the history of the local area.

The event formed part of a wider commitment by all partners to increase access to heritage, learning, community connection and engagement during a time of growth and regeneration for Burgess Hill.

Growth in the region is being led by the flagship Brookleigh development, delivering 3,500 homes, including 30% affordable housing, as well as new public spaces, infrastructure and community facilities. Events and activities are playing a key role in supporting this growth, helping residents build connections, celebrate local identity and engage with Burgess Hill’s past and future.

Lucy Corrie, Assistant Director of Communities at Mid Sussex District Council said “The Layered Landscapes Workshop is a great example of how working closely with our partners can create meaningful and engaging opportunities for our community. We are proud to share the rich history and heritage of Burgess Hill with residents, particularly as we continue to invest in and shape this area together.”

Delivering the workshop in partnership with MOLA provided the opportunity for residents to learn directly from expert archaeologists, using techniques such as map regression to compare a sequence of maps and explore how the landscape at Burgess Hill has evolved over time.

MOLA Engagement Project Officer, Katrina Foxton said "We were delighted to welcome residents of Brookleigh and Burgess Hill to uncover their area's past. It was great to see how much everyone enjoyed exploring the maps and we were able to surprise locals about the fact they live right next to an Iron Age settlement (Ditchling Beacon). We are especially grateful to the BH Town Heritage and History Association for sharing their enthusiasm and local knowledge."

A local resident who attended the workshop said, “It was lovely to talk with people about archaeology in general, the history of the area, and how people used what was naturally available in this area.”

Alongside learning about the past, the event also brought people and organisations together. Local groups, including the Burgess Hill Heritage and History Society, attended to build new connections and help residents learn more about local organisations and how to get involved in their community.

The workshop was further supported by Sage Homes, the county’s largest provider of new affordable homes and the provider of new affordable homes at the Brookleigh development in Burgess Hill.

Sharan Ansong, Community Creator, Sage Homes said, “We’ve been so excited to bring this workshop to Burgess Hill and it was brilliant to see so many people get involved. It was a real pleasure to join local residents as they took part and uncovered what lies beneath the landscape they call home, sharing discoveries together. We plan to bring this workshop to other Sage Homes developments, helping even more communities connect, learn and explore together.”

For more information on Burgess Hill and Brookleigh, visit Burgess Hill Regeneration - Burgess Hill.

ENDS