Festival of Archaeology | Tour

Roman Town House Tours

29 July 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


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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.

The Festival of Archaeology will take place between 15 July 2021 – 30 July 2023.

Find out more

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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

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

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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.

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