What's On

Find out what's on at the SPAB. The SPAB offers a wide range of events, courses, lectures and seminars. Whether you're a building professional looking to widen or develop your practical skills, a SPAB member looking to take part in a Regional Group trip, or an old-building enthusiast searching for a SPAB open house event, a leisure learning opportunity or sociable evening talk, you'll find something for you in our 'What's On' listings.

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Visit
Join the Essex and Suffolk Group visit to Woodbridge Tide Mill Museum and The Sutton Hoo Ship's Company. Double visit - a working tide mill, one of the last in the UK and the ongoing work on the Sutton Hoo ship replica.
Date:
07/03/2026 - 07/03/2026

Audience: SPAB Members and their guests
Location: The Boathouse
Price:

Includes lunch and morning and afternoon tea/coffee

SPAB member   £35
Non member    £38
 

Talk
What does it mean to be a woman in conservation? Join us for a unique panel discussion as we consider the creativity, skills, ambitions and challenges faced by women working in the historic built environment.
Date:
10/03/2026 - 10/03/2026

Audience: General interest
REF:
OE1/26

Location: The Art Workers' Guild
Price:

Full price £25 

Concession £15 

Talk
What does it mean to be a woman in conservation? Join us for a live stream of a unique panel discussion as we consider the creativity, skills, ambitions and challenges faced by women working in the historic built environment.
Date:
10/03/2026 - 10/03/2026

Audience: General interest
REF:
OE1/26

Location: Virtual event: held online
Price:

SPAB member £10 

Non-member £12 

Visit
Join us at Preston Mill to see this watermill grind grain for the first time in nearly 40 years. Meet the mill supervisor to learn about the history, machinery and skills involved. Plus, the North UK Mills Group expert community on site.
Date:
24/03/2026 - 24/03/2026

Audience: SPAB Members and their guests
Location: Preston Mill
Price:

Standard    £20

Course
Try your hand at flour milling on this one-day course at Charlecote Watermill.
Date:
17/04/2026 - 17/04/2026
Course
Audience: General interest
REF:
MS2505

Location: Charlecote Mill
Price:
Price: 

£120 Standard

£90 Early bird offer - book by 17 February 2026

Course
A practical, interactive introduction to surveying pre-1918 buildings with experienced historic building surveyors.
Date:
20/04/2026 - 21/04/2026
Course
Audience: Introductory CPD, Intermediate CPD
REF:
CPD1/24

Location: Quarry Bank Mill
Price:

Full price: £320 per person 
Concessions: £195 
Discounted rates for National Trust members

Course
Join us for a practical introduction to traditional lime plaster and plastering techniques. Ideal for homeowners and building custodians.
Date:
24/04/2026 - 25/04/2026
Course
Audience: Introductory CPD
REF:
CH1/26

Location: Heritage & Rural Skills Centre
Price:

£510

Course
The ultimate CPD for building conservation professionals: an intensive week-long course exploring conservation approaches through lectures and site visits.
Date:
18/05/2026 - 22/05/2026
Course
Audience: Intermediate CPD, Advanced CPD
REF:
RC1/26

Location: Museum of the Home (formerly Geffrye museum)
Price:

£910 per person

Course
Join us for a one-day introduction to this endangered craft, taught by leading expert Bill Sargent, in association with the National Trust.
Date:
06/06/2026 - 06/06/2026
Course
Audience: General interest
REF:
CH2/26

Location: Heritage & Rural Skills Centre
Price:

£210

Visit
Learn about the latest research and advice relating to historic mills. Join the expert community for talks about Mill archives, challenges to maintenance and more.
Date:
13/06/2026 - 13/06/2026

Audience: General interest
REF:
MS2503

Location: Watlington Hall
Price:

£50 SPAB Members (packed lunch included in event fees)
£55 Non-Members (packed lunch included in event fees)