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]
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 infoWhere to find us
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
11 May 2024, 10:00am - 12:00noon
Roman Town House Tour
Join our trained guides through the history of the Roman Town House site and and the precious artifacts recovered and now on display at Dorset Museum & 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 more2 May 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 more16 May 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 more16 May 2024, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Paul Nash in Dorset | Professor Paul Gough
This richly illustrated lecture explores over 80 Paul Nash artworks created from the mid-1930s until his death in 1946. They range from ancient places such as Maiden Castle and Badbury Rings to the limestone promontories and fossilised forests on the Purbeck coast.
Find out more22 May 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 more22 May 2024, 7:30pm
25 May 2024, 10:00am - 12:00noon
Roman Town House Tour
Join our trained guides through the history of the Roman Town House site and and the precious artifacts recovered and now on display at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery.
Find out more30 May 2024, 10:00am - 12:00noon
May Customs and Ooser Mask Making
Our themed event will delve into the customs and traditions surrounding the merry month of May, learn about the famous horned Ooser mask displayed in the museum, and have a go at making one.
Find out more