This is said to be the finest Roman-era house open to the public in Britain. It was discovered by the Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit about 25 years ago. In all of their years of excavating around ancient Dover, they have discovered more than 50 major structures. Built in about A.D. 200 it is believed that it formed part of a large mansion or official hotel for travelers who crossed the English Channel. Three of its rooms were buried almost completely intact when the Romans constructed a larger version of their naval fort.
The quick burial of the rooms resulted in the unique survival of over 400 square feet of painted plaster. A remarkable find. Parts of 28 panels survive, each with a motif relating to Bacchus, the Roman god of wine. The rooms also demonstrate the Roman version of central heating as the red concrete floors cover complete central heating systems, with flues, heating channels and vertical wall flues that likely kept the rooms comforable.
Closed Mondays, this site is open April to September from 10 am to 5 pm daily. Adults 2 pounds, children 80 pence. Senior citizen discount.
Handy to the trains at Dover Priory station and numerous public buses.