NINE SITES TO HAIL THE ROMANS
1. Fishbourne Palace West Sussex
The palace at Fishbourne was one of the most opulent Roman structures built outside of Italy. An on-site museum and discovery centre display many of the key finds recovered from excavations here. £9.50. Open daily. PO19 3QR. 01243 785859, sussexpast.co.uk/properties-todiscover/fishbourne-roman-palace
4. Caerleon Roman Fortress Gwent
Constructed in the AD 70s, Caerleon (Isca), was only one of three permanently occupied legionary fortresses in Britain. Here you can see the mighty amphitheatre, legionary barracks, part of the main bathhouse and artefacts displayed in the Roman Army Museum. Free. Open daily. Newport, NP18 1AE. 01633 422518, cadw.gov.wales
7. Lullingstone Roman Villa Kent
One of the earliest examples of Christian worship found in the UK. Today, the surviving mosaic floors, wall paintings and bathhouse of Lullingstone villa are protected by a substantial new cover building, museum and visitor centre. £7.90. Open daily. Eynsford, DA4 0JA. 01322 863467,english-heritage.org.uk
2. Bignor Roman Villa West Sussex
The beautiful mosaics of Bignor villa are protected by a series of thatched-cover buildings, first constructed in the early 19th century. A bathhouse, two dining rooms and associated floors including a hypocaust are visible. £6. Open daily. Near Pulborough, RH20 1PH. 01798 869259, bignorromanvilla.co.uk
5. Chedworth Roman Villa Glos
A spectacular set of mosaics and a private bathhouse all housed in a brand-new cover building. Continuous excavations are revealing more of the villa complex while an on-site museum displays artefacts. £10.50. Open daily. Cheltenham, GL54 3LJ. 01242 890256, nationaltrust.org.uk/chedworth-roman-villa
8. Corinium Museum Cirencester
An extensive collection of mosaics, tombstones, sculpture and everyday artefacts acquired from excavations of the second largest town of Roman Britain. The impressive, grass-covered remains of the town’s amphitheatre, are also visible. £5.60. Open daily. Cirencester, GL7 2BX. 01285 655611, coriniummuseum.org
3. Caerwent Monmouthshire
Much of the tribal town of Venta Silurum is visible today, including the foundations of houses, shops, a temple and part of the forum and basilica. The town wall circuit survives in places to an impressive height of 5m. Free. Open daily. Near Chepstow, NP26 5BA. 03000 256000, cadw. gov.wales/daysout/caerwent-roman-town
6. Vindolanda Northumberland
The well-preserved frontier fort of Vindolanda, to the immediate south of Hadrian’s Wall, is justly famous for the incredible quantity and quality of Roman artefacts, including textiles, shoes, jewellery and writing tablets, recovered. £11. Open daily. Near Hexham, NE47 7JN. 01434 344277, vindolanda.com
9. Portchester Castle Hampshire
One of a chain of fortresses built towards the end of the 3rd century to protect harbours of Britain from attack. With walls over 6m high and with 14 of its original 20 towers surviving, Portchester is one of the best preserved Roman forts in Europe. £6.90. Open daily. Hampshire PO16 9QW. CF 02392 378291, english-heritage.org.uk