Chedworth Roman Villa

Romans lived in this villa (rural dwelling) starting in the second century AD. It was enlarged and refined over the next two centuries, reaching its peak in the mid 300s. After the Romans left Great Britain around 410, it fell into disrepair and eventually was buried by the surrounding soil. It was discovered in1864 by a gamekeeper. Archeologists unearthed mosaic floors and walls, marking boundaries with local stone, and opened it and a museum to the public.

There are remains of 150 Roman villas in the Cotswolds, with more in the Southeast of England. The Villa sites would have been chosen because of a natural spring or other water source.

This is what people would have seen if visiting the site in Victorian times. The house was lived in by the curator, and part of it was the museum.

A model of the villa: houses on each side, owners house at the far end, with bathhouses in the upper right corner.Read more