There are many opportunities at a national, regional and local level for people interested in learning informally or formally about their heritage and getting first-hand experience of archaeological excavation and survey methods.
National Archaeology
One place to start pursuing an interest in archaeology further is the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) which lists forthcoming fieldwork and conference opportunities and regional groups who arrange activities and talks. The CBA organise an annual ‘Festival of Archaeology’ with hundreds of special events each summer. For younger enthusiasts, there’s also the Young Archaeologists’ Club with regional branches who have monthly meetings and is open to all 8 to 16 year olds.
The magazine Current Archaeology also has a section about how to get involved in archaeological digs on their website here.
Study
The AQA exam board has an A-Level in Archaeology, offered at various post-16 institutions across the UK.
The University of Cambridge’s Institute for Continuing Education offers courses and qualifications for adults seeking flexible study opportunities in Archaeology & Anthropology, Classics, Historic Environments, History, Local & Regional History amongst other subjects.
The CBA website also has useful FAQs in becoming an archaeologist.
East Anglia
There are also numerous societies in East Anglia which provide fantastic opportunities to get involved and learn more about the history and archaeology of the region. The following is a list of local societies by county (please get in touch if you know of any others to add):
Bedfordshire
Ampthill and District Archaeological & Local History Society
Bedford Architectural Archaeological & Local History Society
Colmworth and Neighbours History Society
Dunstable and District Local History Society
Manshead Archaeological Society
Leighton Buzzard and District Archaeological & Local History Society
Sandy Historical Research Group
Sharnbrook Local History Society
Cambridgeshire
Cambridge Archaeology FieldGroup
Fenland Archaeological Society
Histon and Impington Archaeology Group
Houghton and Wyton Local History Society
Longstanton and District Heritage Society
Essex
The Essex Society for Archaeology & History
AGES Archaeological & Historical Association
Clacton and District Local History Society
Elsenham Village History Society
Foxearth and District Local History Society
Hadleigh and Thundersley Community Archive
Halstead and District Local History Society
Leyton & Leytonstone Historical Society
Loughton & District Historical Society
Maldon Archaeological and Historical Group
Manuden and Berden Local History Society
South East Essex Archaeological and Historical Society
Recorders of Uttlesford History
Rochford Hundred Field Archaeology Group
Saffron Walden Historical Society
Thurrock Local History Society
West Essex Archaeological Group
Hertfordshire
Baldock Museum & Local History Society
Bishops Stortford History Society
The Buntingford Railway & Local History Society
Codicote Local History Society
East Hertfordshire Archaeological Society
Harpenden and District Local History Society
Hemel Hempstead Local History and Museum Society
Hertford and Ware Local History Society
Kings Langley History and Museum Society
North Hertfordshire Archaeological Society
Norton Community Archaeology Group
Potters Bar and District Historical Society
Rickmansworth Historical Society
Royston and District Local History Society
St Albans and Hertfordshire Architectural and Archaeological Society
Stevenage Society for Local History
Tring and District Local History and Museum Society
Watford and District Industrial History Society
Norfolk
Aylesham Local History Society
Belton and District Historical Society
Blakeney Area Historical Society
Blofield and District Conservation Group
Cringleford Historical Society
Fakenham Local History Society
Federation of Norfolk Historical and Archaeological Societies
Feltwell Historical and Archaeological Society
Great Yarmouth Local History and Archaeological Society
Harleston and District Historical Society
Loddon and District History Group
Norfolk and Norwich Archaeological Society
Terrington St Clement History Group
West Norfolk & Kings Lynn Archaeological Society
Suffolk
Aldeburgh and District Local History Society
Clare Historical & Archaeological Society
Framligham and District Local History and Preservation Society
Glemsford Local History Society
Haverhill and District Local History Group
Little Waldingfield History Society
Long Melford Historical & Archaeological Society
Lowestoft Archaeological and Local History Society
Newmarket Local History Society
Saxmundham and District Local History Society
The Southwold Museum and Historical Society
Stour Valley Community Archaeology
Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History