Iron Age to Roman Britain: Home Education Day

We invite learners to dress up, travel back in time and enjoy an immersive learning experience led by our expert and professional team of facilitators and artists. The activities are relaxed so a wider age range of learners can attend with siblings as required. 

Suitable for: The programme has been adapted from the KS2 National Curriculum and is aimed at those aged between 6 – 11 years old. Learners older than 11 years are welcome to attend. Please note that due to capacity, all attendees will need a ticket.  

Included: 

Tickets: 

To book you must select a time below. This will be the start time of the pottery workshop, which you must pre-select to purchase your ticket. This ticket will give you admission, access to all activities and the pottery workshop you have pre-selected. Remember, entry to the museum is any time from 10am, even if you have purchased the 3.30pm ticket. You will be asked your name and the time of the pottery workshop you have selected on arrival.

Pottery workshops start at 10.30am, 12pm, 2pm and 3.30pm. 

For example, if you select the 3.30pm pottery workshop, we advise you arrive early enough in the day to give you time to explore the museum, have a picnic lunch, and take part in other activities before starting the pottery workshop at 3.30pm.

The pottery workshop is open to adults and children. Adults accompanying, but not participating in the pottery workshop, may purchase a non participatory ticket priced at £10

SEND concession: In receipt of DLA / EHCP / MAX card. Evidence may be requested on arrival. If you are not sure if you qualify for the concessionary rate, or are waiting for an assessment, please email rockbourne@hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk and we will be happy to advise. 

Venue: Rockbourne Roman Villa is a significant archaeological site located near Fordingbridge in Hampshire, England. It is the largest known Roman villa in the area and offers a fascinating glimpse into life in Roman Britain. The site was originally occupied during the Iron Age and developed into a Roman villa in the 1st century AD. It remained in use until the 5th century. 

Discovery: The villa was discovered in 1942 by a local farmer whose dog unearthed oyster shells and mosaic tiles while digging. This led to extensive excavations over the next three decades

Architecture and Features: The villa was a large courtyard complex with over 40 rooms. It included luxurious mosaics, bath suites, underfloor heating (hypocaust), and farm buildings. Remains of workshops and living quarters are also visible on-site

Museum and Exhibits: The on-site museum displays many artefacts, including a hoard of 7,717 Roman coins, believed to be a ritual offering. Visitors can also see a skeleton found buried face-down near the villa, the purpose and date of which remain a mystery

Things to know prior to booking:

• All children must be accompanied by an adult who is responsible for them at all times including during facilitated workshops
• In the event of an emergency, you are responsible for the children in your group
• We require at least one adult for every 3 children
• You are responsible for the supervision and behavior of your children at all times
• If you are looking to book older siblings into the sessions, please be aware that the content may not be pitched at their current learning level  
• We understand that it may be necessary to bring under 5’s, however, the activities in this programme are not suitable for children aged 5 and under and they may accompany but will not be able to participate.
• The pottery workshops are timed sessions, starting at 10.30am, 12pm, 2pm and 3.30pm, and can accommodate a maximum of 14 participants
• Please note that there is no cafe at Rockbourne Roman Villa, or nearby shops, so please remember to bring a picnic lunch. We sell snacks, ice creams and cold drinks only
• Photography are strictly prohibited within the session due to safeguarding
• Our facilitators reserve the right to ask participants to leave if their behaviour is deemed unsafe or inappropriate for the setting
• There is no public transport to Rockbourne Roman Villa, however, parking is free.
• The museum and site is fully accessible.
• Tickets are for one day only.

As part of our work to widen cultural engagement across the New Forest we're able to offer subsidised concessionary tickets for this activity thanks to funding from Arts Council England

Hampshire Cultural Trust is one of nearly 1000 organisations bringing creativity and culture to villages, towns and cities across the country as a National Portfolio Organisation. Find out more about our work as an NPO