Tours

Roman Town House Tours

19 August 2023, 10:00am - 12:00noon

Meeting point: Welcome Area at Dorset Museum 

–  Not suitable for under 5s.

–  Ticket includes a guided tour of the Roman Town House and Day Entry to Dorset Museum

Roman Town House and Panel

Discovered in the 1930s, one of the best examples of a Roman Town House in England is situated here in Dorchester.

Following the extensive refurbishment of the covered Roman Town House structure and grounds we are proud to have partnered with Dorset Council to offer the opportunity of a guided tour of the covered structure and grounds.

Our trained guides will take you through a brief history of the site and the precious artifacts recovered and now on display at the Dorset Museum. Following this, they will take you to the site of the Roman Town House and allow you to enter the covered building which hosts a number of really special features including some of the original wall paint and mosaics and a beautifully preserved example of an underfloor heating system.

Tours start at Dorset Museum where our trained guide will give a short presentation on the history of the site and recent excavation. Followed by a quick visit to the People’s Dorset Gallery to be shown some of the key artifacts recovered from the site. The tour will then move over to the Roman Town House site via Colliton House and West Walks which is of historical importance. The full guided tour will then commence at the internal and external Town House site before returning to the Museum.

Important Announcement

The lift in the Museum is currently out of action.
We hope to resolve this very soon and apologies for the inconvenience.

  • Opening hours:

    Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
    Daily: 10.00am - 5.00pm

    TASTE Café
    Daily: 9.00am - 4.00pm
    Sunday: 10:00am - 4:00pm

  • Dorset Museum

    High West Street
    Dorchester DT1 1XA

    View Map

Tours start at the Museum


null

The Roman Town House is owned and managed by Dorset Council, and supported by the Dorchester Joint Heritage Committee and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

More info

https://www.dorsetmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Gorgon-Head.png

Gorgon Head – Terracotta face antefix decorated roof eaves of the Roman Town House

https://www.dorsetmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Roman-Glass-Bowl.png

Engraved glass bowl with followers of Dionysus, Greek god of wine discovered at the Roman Town House


Useful tips for attending this tour

•  Tours start and end at the museum.

•  Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society members can get discounted tickets but MUST bring their membership card with them for the tour.

•  Sturdy shoes are required as the internal structure is uneven. Protective shoe covers provided.

•  Tours are fully accessible.

•  No toilets or facilities at the Roman Town House site, although will be available at the museum before and after the tour.

Special Display

4 July – 6 September 2024

Fashioning our World

This exhibition special display showcases a project with local young people working alongside Dorset Museum & Art Gallery team as part of Fashioning our World with Salisbury Museum.

Find out more

Community Exhibition

10 July - 26 September 2024.

Sensing the Past

"Sensing the Past" was a collaborative and co-produced project involving The Dorset Blind Association, Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, and Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre.

Find out more

Festival of Archaeology

13-28 July 2024

Festival of Archaeology | Events

Co-ordinated by the Council for British Archaeology, the Festival offers hundreds of events nationwide, organised by museums, heritage organisations, national and country parks, universities, local societies, and community archaeologists.

Find out more

Special Exhibition

19 July - 3 November 2024

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the world-famous exhibition from the Natural History Museum, is returning to Dorset Museum & Art Gallery

Find out more

Family Activity

19 July - 1 September 2024

Summer Animal Trail

Get ready to embark on a wild adventure! This summer, join in on our animal-spotting trail around the museum.

Find out more

Relaxed Opening

27 July 2024, 9:00am - 10:00am

Relaxed Opening

Explore the Museum and take part in drop-in activities during our relaxed openings. Especially suitable for visitors with autism or other sensory conditions, and their siblings, parents and carers. The sessions are also suitable for any group or individual who would like to visit our museums and galleries at a quieter time.

Find out more

Family Activity

31 July 2024, 10:00am - 12:00noon

Wildlife Wednesday

Come and join us every Wednesday during the school holidays for a wild adventure in the galleries.

Find out more

Family Activity

7 August 2024, 10:00am - 12:00noon

Wildlife Wednesday

Come and join us every Wednesday during the school holidays for a wild adventure in the galleries.

Find out more

Family Activity

14 August 2024, 10:00am - 12:00noon

Wildlife Wednesday

Come and join us every Wednesday during the school holidays for a wild adventure in the galleries.

Find out more