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Have a go at making your own leather (or vegan) bound book and learn all about the history of book binding! 

Books first appeared in the Roman period as expensive luxury items, by the medieval period books were becoming more and more available especially as paper became more available from the mid 1400’s. Books began to be used to keep records and accounts and a way of limiting fraud and stealing. 

You will be making a pocket book with 64 pages of white cartridge paper, a leather cover and decorative long-stitch binding with a pencil that also acts as the means of keeping the book closed. Based on a style used from the medieval period onwards. A non-leather (Vegan) version is available but please let us know when booking.

Suitable for complete beginners, and older children with adult supervision as some manual dexterity is required using sharp knife, needles, a hole punch and hammer. All materials and tools required will be supplied for use on the day.

Have a go at making some basic Roman Jewellery including brooch’s and bracelets based on real examples found around Northamptonshire and stored in the Northamptonshire Archaeological Resource Centre. 

Roman crafting specialists will show you how to make the pieces in copper and you will have chance to admire the real objects that they are based on.

All materials and tools required will be supplied for use on the day.

Suitable for complete beginners, and older children with adult supervision as some manual dexterity is required using pliers and hammers.