Date: 16 June 2026

Local school children make their own Melsonby Hoard! 

Melsonby Methodist Primary School have made their mark at the Yorkshire Museum by creating and installing their own colourful version of the Melsonby Hoard for all to see.  

In March 2026, a workshop led by an archaeologist from Durham University and the Schools Learning Team from York Museums Trust, encouraged the pupils to get hands-on with replica items from the Melsonby Hoard. Exploring prehistoric Yorkshire was an exciting endeavour for the children, who were then inspired to create their own replicas of the hoard! 

They designed and decorated numerous clay casts of two star objects from the Chariots, Treasure and Power: Secrets of the Melsonby Hoard exhibition. The children’s colourful and creative pieces have recently been transferred to the Yorkshire Museum, and on Friday 5 June, the school paid a special visit to see their hard work go into the ‘Melsonby: Home of the Hoard’ display. The Home of the Hoard showcases children’s creations alongside poems and paintings from the residents of Melsonby and even some bespoke Melsonby-inspired chocolates. Melsonby villagers have generously supported the hoard’s journey from discovery, acquisition and proudly display their contributions on the balcony of the central gallery.  

Commenting about their museum visit, Helen Robinson, Executive Headteacher for the Federation of North and South Cowton Community and Melsonby Methodist Primary Schools said, “The children and staff of Melsonby Primary School have been thrilled to be part of the Melsonby Hoard project, working with the Yorkshire Museum. Our interests were sparked from the very first moment we found out about the secret treasures of Melsonby, and we have been eagerly awaiting our visit to the museum. The visit did not disappoint! The children were mesmerised by the artefacts on show and loved having the opportunity to display their own creative responses alongside the Hoard. A huge thank you to everyone at the museum.” 

Chariots, Treasure and Power and the Home of the Hoard are on display now until summer 2027 and are included in general admission. 

Following its initial discovery in 2021 by metal detectorist Peter Heads, the Melsonby Hoard was excavated and conserved by archaeologists from Durham University and the British Museum, supported by £120,000 in funding from Historic England. The exhibition marks a continued dialogue with academics, the public and the residents of Melsonby village, who have been instrumental in fundraising and awareness campaigns to help acquire and conserve the hoard. The Crowdfunder is still accepting donations towards the conservation of the magnificent range of objects, all donations are greatly appreciated by all at York Museums Trust.