Roman Town House
The Roman Town House in Dorchester is the only example of a fully exposed Roman Town House in the country.
The grounds are free to visit and tours of the internal structure are offered by us for a small fee.
Visitors will learn about the excavation and conservation of the Roman Town House as well as life in the Town House during the Roman period. Visitors will have an opportunity to explore the South Range and will be given a tour of the West Range inside where they will see mosaics in situ.
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For more information
[email protected]
School Trips
Guided Tours
Guided tours for school parties can be arranged with us. Take part in a guided visit, dress up and handle real Roman objects in this unique setting. Just an 8-minute walk from Dorset Museum.
For booking your visit and lunch space or an unguided visit.
Call: 01305 262735
Timeline
Colliton Park
The Roman Town House sits in the grounds of County Hall in Dorchester. The area is known as Colliton Park because from the 17th century it formed the grounds of Colliton House. Colliton Park lies in the northwest corner of the Roman town known as Durnovaria.
The Discovery
In the 1930s Dorset County Council bought Colliton Park to build a new County Hall. In an early example of rescue archaeology, a team from the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society excavated in advance of development. They found the remains of at least 8 buildings dating from the Roman period, of which the building that became known as the Roman Town House was the best example.
Conservation
Dorset County Council decided to keep the Roman Town House on permanent display. In the 1990s a cover building, designed in the style of the Roman original, was constructed over one range of the house, and further improvements were made about 10 years later.
Today
Dorset County Council ceased to exist at Local Government Reorganisation in April 2019. The Roman Town House site is now owned by Dorset Council and has completed a new project to improve the setting and interpretation of the Roman Town House.
What's on
2 December 2023 - 21 April 2024
Elisabeth Frink: A View from Within
Experience the inner world of famous sculptor Dame Elisabeth Frink (1930-1993) in a major new exhibition exploring her artistic and personal life in Dorset. Showcasing over 80 sculptures, drawings and prints, this exhibition will explore her artistic process, personal life, and the influences that shaped her work.
Find out more2 December 2023 - 21 April 2024
Awakened by Frink
Awakened by Frink is a community exhibition of artwork by members of the Deaf community created during a series of workshops at Dorset Museum and Art Gallery.
Find out more3 February - 30 May 2024
John Brown in Dorchester: Rebuilding a Life after slavery
Discover the little-known story of John Brown, in this new showcase display outside the Collections Discovery Centre.
Find out more4 April 2024, 10:00am - 12:00noon
Easter Family Activity
Learn about birds in springtime and their different eggs and nests whilst building your own bird’s nest using recycled materials and making clay eggs to go inside to take home.
Find out more11 April 2024, 10:00am - 12:00noon
Easter Family Activity
Learn about birds in springtime and their different eggs and nests whilst building your own bird’s nest using recycled materials and making clay eggs to go inside to take home.
Find out more14 April 2024, 11:00am - 3:00pm
Wedding Fair
Dorset Museum is excited to announce our third Wedding Fair, working alongside a variety of local suppliers to help couples plan their forthcoming nuptials.
Find out more17 April 2024, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Collections Discovery Centre Tour
Join our Collections Team for an opportunity to explore behind the scenes in the Museum’s Collections Discovery Centre.
Find out more18 April 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 more18 April 2024, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Traditions and Transitions: The Story of the Chettle Grave Group | Sophia Adams
A locally made wine strainer, an old mirror and a blue glass jar perhaps from Cologne. These are just three of the eight artefacts found in 2003, buried together on land within Chettle Park, Dorset.
Find out more