Tours

Roman Town House Tours

26 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.

  • 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.

Community Exhibition

10 July - 23 October 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

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

Storytelling

10 October 2024, 10:00am - 10:30am

Storytime at the Museum

Come and join us for fun-filled Storytime where you can listen to some amazing tales in our Community Space at the Museum.

Find out more

Friday 11th October, 11:00-12:00

Exhibition Tour: Wildlife Photographer of the Year

  Join us every Friday at 11:00 for a free tour of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition with our trained museum guides! This…

Find out more

Friday 18th October, 11:00-12:00

Exhibition Tour: Wildlife Photographer of the Year

  Join us every Friday at 11:00 for a free tour of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition with our trained museum guides! This…

Find out more

FULLY BOOKED

23 October 2024, 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Store Tour

Join our Collections Team for an opportunity to explore behind the scenes in the Museum’s Collections Discovery Centre.

Find out more

Storytelling

24 October 2024, 10:00am - 10:30am

Storytime at the Museum

Come and join us for fun-filled Storytime where you can listen to some amazing tales in our Community Space at the Museum.

Find out more

Open Evening

Thursday 24th October, 4:00pm - 7:00pm

Teacher Open Evening

Join the Learning and Engagement Team on Thursday 24th October for our Teacher Open Evening. Teachers and school staff are invited to meet the Learning…

Find out more

Special Event

24 October 2024, 7pm

The Year Clock

The Year Clock is a play that delves deep into the themes of language, speech, and human communication. It focuses on the life and legacy of William Barnes, a self-educated Dorset teacher and parson who lived from 1801 to 1886.

Find out more