Key Points
- The No. 2 Public Viewing Events will be held at Two Lads Cairns, Smithills Estate on Saturday and Sunday (8 and 9 August) from 10:00 to 16:00.
- Public Participation: There are ~100 hands-on excavation sites available each day on a first come first served basis, and tickets are handed out hourly from 10:00 to 15:00.
- Parking: Walker Fold, Lower House or Wilderswood car parks are recommended. Saturday is a day of free guided bus tours from Horwich Leisure Centre and at Smithills Hall (booking is essential).
- Project Scope: This excavation is part of a restoration project, which was launched on 3 August, in response to public comments on the need to preserve multi-period features of the cairns.
Bolton (Bolton Today) August 8, 2026 – Members of the public are invited to view an active archaeological excavation at Two Lads Cairns on the Smithills Estate this weekend, offering a firsthand look at efforts to preserve the historic landmark on Winter Hill.
What events are taking place at Two Lads Cairns this weekend?
As reported by Grace Williams of The Bolton News, the public viewing events run on Saturday and Sunday between 10:00 and 16:00. Visitors can watch archaeologists at work, speak with the excavation team, and participate in family-friendly activities. Stalls highlighting local history, wildlife, and conservation feature contributions from organisations including the Lancashire Wildlife Trust Peat Partnership, Horwich Heritage, and Woodland Trust volunteers.
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How can visitors participate in the excavation and travel to the site?
According to Grace Williams of The Bolton News, approximately 100 daily places are available for visitors wishing to join the excavation directly. Tickets are distributed from the event ticket stall on the hour between 10:00 and 15:00 on a first-come, first-served basis.
Parking is recommended at Walker Fold, Lower House, or Wilderswood car parks, followed by a steep 30-to-90-minute walk to the site. On Saturday only, three free guided bus tours depart from Horwich Leisure Centre and Smithills Hall at 10:00, 12:00, and 13:15. The 10:00 and 13:15 departures include an hour at the excavation site, while the 12:00 departure is a bus-only tour. Advance booking is required via the Woodland Trust North Eventbrite page.
What is the history and long-term plan for the Two Lads restoration?
As reported by Grace Williams of The Bolton News, the excavation forms part of the Two Lads restoration project, which commenced on 3 August following public consultation. Rather than restoring the monument to a single historical era, the project preserves features across several stages of the cairns' evolution.
Eddee Endley, events and communications officer for the Smithills Estate, stated to The Bolton News:
"It's clear that people feel a strong connection to Two Lads cairns. The restoration project has generated significant interest, and we look forward to delivering a diverse events programme to share the local importance of the cairns and the surrounding landscape of Winter Hill."
Endley noted that while the archaeological dig concludes on 14 August, the estate intends to continue hosting guided walks, public events, and educational sessions with local schools throughout autumn 2026 and 2027 to deepen community connections to the site and moorland ecology.