The British Archaeological Association hosts Study Days at least twice a year, offering members and postgraduate students a unique opportunity to engage directly with historic art, architecture, and archaeology under the guidance of leading experts.
Upcoming study days
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Friday 10 Oct 2025
Chester Cathedral Study Day
PRESENTED BY
Dr Alex Buchanan, Dr Richard Plant, Glenn Cahilly-Bretzin, and Emily Lanigan-Palotai
What to expect
Since its launch in 2008, Study Days has encouraged participants to engage directly with the materials and methods used by specialists. Whether examining architectural monuments in the field, turning the pages of rare manuscripts in a historic library, or studying the fine details of stained glass panels, these events foster discussion, collaboration, and the sharing of knowledge.
Each Study Day is limited to around 20 participants, ensuring everyone can interact with the artefacts and contribute to the conversation. Several places are reserved for postgraduate students, with financial support available to assist with attendance.
An attendee of a past study day once said:
Being able to handle medieval objects from the British Museum’s collection was fantastic! And the experts were captivating.
Get involved
The BAA welcomes suggestions for future Study Days, particularly those that provide access to historic sites not typically open to the public. If you have ideas or can facilitate access to a relevant location, we encourage you to get in touch.
The current Honorary Study Day Organiser is Dr Sophie Kelly (studydays@thebaa.org)
Next Study Day: Chester Cathedral, Friday 10 October 2025
Join us in Chester to explore one of England’s most characterful medieval spaces: Chester Cathedral. You can find more information about this study day here.
Past Study Days
2020-Present
2025 (March) Coventry Study Day
2024 (June) Lesnes Abbey Study Day (Led by Richard Halsey, Dr David, Dr Hugh Doherty, Dr Rowan Watson, Dr Catherine Yvard, and Dr Michaela Zoschg)
2024 (March) Hexham Abbey Study Day (Led by Nick Hodgson, Eric Cambridge, and Julian Luxford)
2023 (January) St Albans Study Day (Led by Richard Gem, Jill Franklin, and John McNeill)
2022 (May) Margam Park Study Day (Led by David Robinson)
2021 (December) Reopening The Courtauld Gallery
2020 (August) Exeter Cathedral: Back to Basics (Led by Tim Tatton-Brown, John Allan, Ruth and Torquil McNeilage, and Lynne Humphries)
2020 (December) Virtual Study Day: Google Earth for Architectural Historians (Presented by Dr James Alexander Cameron)
2020 (October) Old Sarum Study Day (Led by Tim Tatton-Brown and John McNeill)
2010-2019
2019 (November) Tower of London Study Day (Led by Sally Dixon-Smith, Jane Spooner, Jeremy Ashbee, Jessica Barker)
2019 (April) Durham (Led by Richard Plant, Eric Cambridge, Meg Boulton, Andy Beeby and Michael Stansfield)
2018 (June) Rievaulx Abbey Study Day (Led by Dr Michael Carter, Stuart Harrison and Dr Alexandra Gajewski)
2017 (October) Windsor Castle: medieval architecture, archaeology and conservation (Led by Dr Stephen Brindle and Tim Tatton Brown)
2017 (May) Abergavenny Priory: medieval choir stalls, tomb sculpture and building archaeology (Led by Dr Charles Tracy, Dr Kim Woods and Dr George Nash)
2015 (October) Blythe House (Clothworkers Centre): medieval textiles (Led by Dr Emma Edwards)
2015 (May) Castle Acre: castle, town and monastery in context (Led by Dr Edward Impey, Dr Rob Liddiard and John McNeill)
2014 (October) Lincoln cathedral: archaeology and stone conservation
2014 (August) Aachen: Charlemagne 814-2014 exhibition
2014 (May) Llancarfan and Llantwit Major, South Wales: medieval wall painting, architecture and sculpture (Led by Dr Jane Rutherfoord and Dr David Robinson)
2013 (October) British Museum: ivories and alabasters (Led by Lloyd de Beer)
2013 (May) Southwell Minster: site history Roman to post-medieval (Led by Dr Philip Dixon)
2013 (January) Lambeth Palace: building history and conservation (Led by Tim Tatton Brown)
2012 (October) Trinity College Library, Cambridge: manuscripts (Led by Christopher de Hamel and David McKitterick)
2012 (May) Harmondsworth: timber barn and Romanesque architectural sculpture at the parish church (Led by Dr Edward Impey and Dr Ron Baxter)
2011 (April) York: stained glass in the chapter house, east window conservation, parish churches of All Saints North Street, St Michael Coney Street and St Martin-cum-Gregory (Led by Prof. Sarah Brown and Prof. Tim Ayers)
2010 (October) Atcham: lapidary collection (Led by Dr Richard Morris and Prof. Martin Henig)
2010 (September) Cluny: special exhibition (Led by Prof. Neil Stratford)
2010 (May) Shorthampton church in Oxfordshire: wall paintings (Led by Dr Mellie Naydenova-Slade and Mark Perry)
Before 2010
2009 (October) Lincoln cathedral: choir stalls and roof (Led by Dr Charles Tracy, Gavin Simpson and Prof. Peter Draper)
2009 (March) Bosham church, Sussex: building stones
2008 (June) White Tower in the Tower of London: architectural history