Sandi Toksvig uncovers Cookham's ancient secrets for new archaeology series

Cookham’s early medieval past will take centre stage on national television, as new archaeological discoveries feature in a series presented by Sandi Toksvig.

Archaeologists from the University of Reading have uncovered a wealth of finds from the 8th-century monastery, including part of a well-preserved watermill, a decorative comb, fragments of Anglo-Saxon glass, and numerous burials from a monastic cemetery.

The site, near Holy Trinity Church, was once ruled by Queen Cynethryth, widow of King Offa of Mercia, and is believed to have been one of the most important royal nunneries of its time.

Toksvig, who studied archaeology at university before her broadcasting career, visited the dig in July 2025 to see the discoveries first-hand.

Film crews captured the presenter as she joined archaeologists excavating skeletal remains, cleaning fragile artefacts, and learning how the team’s findings are shedding light on life in early medieval Berkshire.

She later followed the process to the University of Reading’s bioarchaeology laboratory, where experts are studying the human remains to learn about the community that lived and worked at the abbey more than 1,200 years ago.

The visit forms part of Sandi Toksvig’s Hidden Wonders, a new four-part series produced by Salamanda Media, which explores significant archaeological digs across the UK.

The Cookham episode will air on More4 at 9pm on Tuesday, November 11.

Excavation leader Professor Gabor Thomas, from the University of Reading, said each dig continues to reveal new insights into the area’s past.

“Cookham Abbey never fails to surprise us,” he said.

“This summer’s discoveries are painting an increasingly vivid picture of monastic life in 8th-century England.

“What’s especially exciting is the mounting evidence that Cookham may have been a centre for healing and medical care – possibly among the earliest examples known from medieval England.

“Having Sandi Toksvig visit has helped bring this nationally significant story to a much wider audience.”

Excavations at Cookham began in 2021 and have already revealed dozens of burials.

The 2025 season added another fourteen skeletons, and researchers believe the careful placement of the graves could reveal important information about the community’s hierarchy and customs.

Another key discovery this year was a well-preserved manmade water channel, or leat, which would have been used to power a watermill.

The structure’s timber lining, supported by large oak uprights or piles, survived intact.

One of these timbers has been removed for tree-ring dating, which could provide a precise date for the construction.

The work is being carried out with the permission and support of Holy Trinity Church, whose churchyard forms part of the excavation area.

The partnership has helped archaeologists engage with the local community through open days, tours, and volunteer opportunities.

Professor Thomas added that the team hopes to continue its research into 2026, building on the growing body of evidence about Cookham’s early Christian heritage.

The series, which Sandi Toksvig co-presents with archaeologist Raksha Dave, follows professional and amateur archaeologists at dig sites across Britain.

Each episode captures the moment when long-buried artefacts and human stories re-emerge from the soil and explores what they tell us about the country’s past.

Speaking ahead of the programme’s release, Sandi told Channel 4: “This is a dream job for someone who loves history and archaeology.

“It’s a real privilege to work alongside professional teams and witness our nation’s history being uncovered, quite literally, from beneath our feet.”