Rockbourne Roman Villa, operated by Hampshire Cultural Trust, re-opened its doors for the season on Sunday 3 April 2022 and will be open Thursday – Sunday 11am-4pm throughout the spring and summer.
The site closed for the winter months in October 2021 and its much-awaited re-opening comes in time for the spring sunshine so that visitors can enjoy picnics and walks around the unique archaeological site and learn about the villa’s history in the on-site museum.
Rockbourne Roman Villa is situated in a peaceful part of Hampshire near the historic town of Fordingbridge, on the edge of the New Forest. At the site visitors can walk amongst the remains of the largest known villa complex in the area, which once stood in the centre of a large farming estate. Its history spans the period from the Iron Age to the 5th century AD. The villa site includes the remains of bath houses, living quarters, farm buildings and workshops.
Visitors will also be able to see the best preserved of the mosaics discovered here, as well as part of the underfloor heating system and the outline of the villa's 40 rooms. Many of the finds from the site are displayed thematically in the museum and tell the story of what life was like in this fascinating place. Outside, information boards guide visitors around the site and there is a family- friendly trail to accompany them.
Keep an eye on the Rockbourne Roman Villa website for upcoming events this spring and summer.
For more information about Rockbourne Roman Villa and Hampshire Cultural trust, please visit Rockbourne Roman Villa | Hampshire Cultural Trust (hampshireculture.org.uk).