Around Chichester Accommodation

The iconic Roman mosaic Cupid on a dolphin at Fishbourne Roman Palace nr Chichester laid in the mid 2nd century
Archery workshops at the Discovery Centre within the Fishbourne Roman Palace Site
Roman Coins & Roman Pottery on display at Fishbourne Roman Palace
The Fishbourne site with hands-on workshops for children
Square & Diamond Roman Pattern Mosaic at Fishbourne dating from when the palace was built around AD75 to 80
The Chilgrove Villa Mosaic at Fishbourne Roman Palace by the Central Southern School of craftsman

Fishbourne Roman Palace Roman Sites Britain Fishbourne UK

When the Romans invaded Britain in AD 43 it was the county of Sussex that felt their influence and presence most sharply. Evidence is clearly established now that the Romans had a strong military presence around the Chichester and Fishbourne area. Chichester Harbour obviously proved a natural entry point which was developed by the Romans alongside the new town of Chichester called Noviomagus Reginorum (meaning the new market or clearing). Once well established in the South East it was from this secured base that the Romans pushed north and west from AD 47.

By AD 58 Chichester had taken on a distinctly Roman identity and the first structures at Fishbourne, essentially a palace and baths complex, appeared from AD 60 with the development of a larger Fishbourne Palace between AD 75 to 80. Under Roman occupation Chichester was the designated capital of the civitas of the Regni - the region incorporating most of Sussex. Marks of the Chichester region's Roman history are particularly evident at Fishbourne Roman Palace just to the West of Chichester. Other sites include Bignor Roman Villa to the North East of Chichester in the heart of the South Downs. There are Roman roads in the area with some like the famous Chichester to London Stane Street still in use today. For more information on Roman Chichester, the only Roman town situated in Sussex, pay a visit also to the Chichester District Museum in Chichester city centre.

Featured Sussex Accommodation

Findon Manor Hotel - Findon

Beautiful English Country Manor Hotel with multi-award winning restaurant. Luxury en-suite rooms with 4 poster & jacuzzis. On edge of South Downs np.

£30 to £77 Per person B&B (2 sharing)

Fishbourne Roman Palace

Some of the great historic finds of the 20th century have been discovered by accident and Fishbourne Roman Palace is no exception. Britain's most magnificent and extensive Roman domestic building was uncovered by accident in 1960 during the digging of a water main trench. What was gradually revealed was a luxurious Roman Palace with extensive Mosaic floors including the now iconic mosaic image from Fishbourne of Cupid on a dolphin.

The intricate mosaic floors, the largest collection in Britain with over twenty here, were not the only wonders to be uncovered. Fishbourne had clearly developed from an initial Roman base to a huge Palace at the end of the first century and other unearthed remains include masonry in the North Wing and Roman underfloor heating systems, a bath suite, courtyards and corridors. Look to the Museum Gallery for a large display of Roman objects found at Fishbourne including Roman jewellery and a marble head which is thought to have been owned by Fishbourne's onetime owner King Togidubnus. The outside area includes a recreation of the Roman Formal Garden as it would have been to the original plan. A plant Display area and the Roman Garden Museum explores in-depth the range of plants used by the Romans and their importance.

New for 2007 was the Collections Discovery Centre adjacent to Fishbourne. Here you can view the Conservator at work on some of the finds included in both the Fishbourne Roman Palace and Chichester District Museum collections. Fishbourne has a thorough educational slant and is popular both for school visits and with tourist visitors. Perfect for children and with a hands-on emphasis throughout, kids can get involved during Hands-on Guided Tours and various events and workshops running throughout the year.

Fishbourne Roman Palace, Salthill Road, Fishbourne, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 3QR. Tel. 01243 785859. Fishbourne Roman Palace is run by the charity Sussex Past (see weblink right). Concessions apply for English Heritage Members. A large carpark is adjacent and directions are clearly marked by road from Chichester centre. Opening times are daily from the end of January to mid-December, however check the Fishbourne webguide for differing opening times with changing seasons. A cafe and extensive green picnic areas are also on-site.