Fishbourne Roman Palace

About

Welcome to the largest Roman home in Britain.

Imagine the luxury that would once have surrounded the proud owner of this lavish Roman residence, built just a few decades after the invasion of Britain in 43AD.

Discovered in the 1960s, the remains of the villa have been carefully preserved and showcased to present a different side of the Romans well away from tales of fighting legions and invading armies.

This magnificent palace was a centre for trade, for feasting and for diplomacy – all aspects of Roman civilisation which are brought to life across the site.

•    Marvel at the magnificent mosaics including the spectacular Cupid riding on a Dolphin
•    Observe curatorial conservation work of Roman artefacts found directly on the site in the Collections Discovery Centre
•    Relax in our Roman Gardens – the earliest known gardens in the country – which have been re-planted to its original plan
•    Delve deeper into Fishbourne’s past – discovering how it was literally saved from the bulldozers during the 1960s – in our dedicated cinema room
•    Immerse yourself in Roman civilisation in our museum gallery which tells the history of the site and displays many artefacts found during excavations
•    Enjoy the fantastic local produce in our café with locally-sourced coffee, cakes and light bites available all day.

Situated 1½ miles to the west of Chichester and 25 minutes from Portsmouth, Fishbourne Roman Palace is easily accessible by car, public transport and bike. The nearest train station (Fishbourne) is 10 minutes walk away.

The site is wheelchair friendly and assistance dogs are welcome (so are other dogs on short leads). 
There’s a lovely café for a spot of lunch, lots of open space to explore, and a fabulous gift shop with locally sourced products and Roman-themed gifts. 

Guided tours and artefacts handling sessions are available (call ahead for confirmation). 
Discounts are offered for groups of 10 or more.

For ticket prices and opening times visit: www.sussexpast.co.uk/fishbourne.

The site is owned and managed by Sussex Past (part of the Sussex Archaeological Society) which operates a range of remarkable properties in Sussex showcasing 2,000 years of history and heritage.

Properties include Michelham Priory, a magnificent Tudor mansion surrounded by a medieval moat; Lewes Castle, an imposing Norman fortress built by followers of William the Conqueror and Anne of Cleves House, a beautiful home owned by the former Queen of England.

For more details visit: www.sussexpast.co.uk.