The historic Old Black Lion in Northampton will open to the public next week for the first in a series of heritage events planned following its restoration.

The former pub, which closed in 2018, will host Hands on History Day on Wednesday, August 12, giving visitors the chance to explore the building while the search continues for a permanent operator.

The free event follows an extensive programme of conservation work carried out as part of a National Lottery Heritage-funded regeneration project led by the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT).

CCT relocated its headquarters from London to Northampton in 2022, moving into neighbouring St Peter's Church, with plans also announced to bring the adjacent Old Black Lion back into use.

placeholder image — The Black Lion pub in Northampton.

Matthew Storey, head of initiatives and partnerships at the Churches Conservation Trust, said: "We're delighted to welcome people to the Old Black Lion. This is a fantastic opportunity for the community to explore this remarkable building and discover its fascinating past, while we continue our search for the future operator."

Visitors will be able to take part in a range of free family-friendly activities, including Norman battle training with the Hitchhiking Historian, medieval craft demonstrations by Black Knight Historical, hands-on archaeological dig pits and creative workshops.

The event will also feature a sensory experience exploring how pubs would have smelled throughout history.

No booking is required for the drop-in event, which will also give visitors the opportunity to explore neighbouring St Peter's Church.

According to CCT, the event marks the start of a wider programme of heritage activities planned for the Old Black Lion, with further details expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Earlier this year the CCT said it was actively looking for someone to run the pub.

A CCT spokesperson said: “The Old Black Lion has been actively marketed by Fleurets for less than six months and we remain positively focused on securing the right long-term operator for the site.”