Fishbourne Roman Palace
Fishbourne Roman Palace was discovered by accident during the digging of a water main trench in 1960. The discovery led to nine seasons of excavations that showed the site had developed from a military base at the time of the Roman invasion in AD43 to a sumptuous Palace by the end of the first century. Between 1995 and 2002, new excavations by the Sussex Archaeological Society revealed exciting new insights into this development of this site, and especially the area in front of the Palace.
This story is told in an entertaining audio-visual programme and also in the site museum, with the addition of fascinating artefacts from the excavations along with plans, reconstruction drawings and models. The remains of the North Wing of the Palace are enclosed within a cover building for their protection and for the comfort of the visitors. Here can be seen the largest collection of in-situ mosaics in Britain including the famous Cupid on a Dolphin mosaic.
Outside, the northern half of the formal garden has been replanted to its original plan as recovered by excavation. An attractive plant display area contains a range of plants known to have been cultivated by the Romans. Adjacent to it is a Roman Garden Museum which includes a reconstructed Roman potting shed with a selection of horticultural tools.
Education is a primary role of the Roman Palace. There is a comprehensive education programme with a special emphasis on school groups. There are also new workshops to embellish the AS archaeology certificate taken by 16+ age group. During school holidays there is an opportunity for adults to take part in workshops such as Roman Textiles spinning, weaving and dyeing: Ceramics bonfire kilns, coiling, press moulding and the potters wheel: Making Mosaics design, plan and create a beautiful mosaic: Roman Plants and Gardens some of the mysteries of the plants and their uses will be revealed.
Throughout the year there are lots of exciting special events from Roman Soldiers and Theatre performances to Musical concerts and Cooking demonstrations. There are a wide range of facilities on site including café, car park and disabled access and it is easily reached by public or private transport.
VISITORS INFORMATION:
Fishbourne Roman Palace
Opening Times - 2010
1st - 31st January Open Saturdays and Sundays 10am - 4pm
February:
Open daily, 10am - 4pm
March - October:
Open daily, 10am - 5pm
November
Open daily 10am - 4pm
December
1st - 15th and Sat 18th and Sun 19th 10am - 4pm
Fishbourne Roman Palace:
| Admission Charges 2010 |
| Adult |
£7.60 |
| Child (5-15) |
£4.00 |
| Senior Citizen |
6.80 |
| Student |
£6.80 |
| Family (2 adults & 2 children) |
£21.00 |
| Registered Disabled |
£7.60 helper free if required |
All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult, this includes event days.
| Group Admission Prices (minimum 20 people) |
| Adult |
£6.30 |
| Child (5-15) |
£3.00 |
| Senior Citizen |
6.30 |
| Student |
£6.30 |
| Education Workshops (additional cost) |
| Groups up to 35 pupils |
£55.00 |
How to Reach Here:
Fishbourne Roman Palace is to the north of the A259, off Salthill Road in Fishbourne Village, approximately 1 1/2 miles west of Chichester and is sign-posted from the A27 and the A259.
The Palace is about five minutes' walk from Fishbourne railway station and is also served by bus numbers 700, 56 and 11 which stop near the end of Salthill Road.
The Lavant to Bosham cycle-way passes through the site.
Disabled Access:
Disabled access The site offers good physical access, with wide doors and ramps.
There are dedicated parking spaces and wheelchair accessible toilets. (one operated by a RADAR key)
Also have 2 loan wheelchairs, a tactile handling collection, induction loops and deaf aware staff.
The gardens do have gravel pathways but the layout of the area is visible from the colonnade. Only guide dogs are allowed on site or in the buildings.
Fishbourne Roman Palace
Salthill Road,
Fishbourne,
Chichester,
West Sussex,
PO19 3QR
Events:
| Events at Fishbourne Roman Palace |
| Fun Time Thursdays in August |
Thu 5th Aug 10 11 00 AM |
Thu 5th Aug 10 3 00 PM |
| Fun Time Thursdays in August |
Thu 12th Aug 10 11 00 AM |
Thu 12th Aug 10 3 00 PM |
| Fun Time Thursdays in August |
Thu 19th Aug 10 11 00 AM |
Thu 19th Aug 10 3 00 PM |
| Fun Time Thursdays in August |
Thu 26th Aug 10 11 00 AM |
Thu 26th Aug 10 3 00 PM |
| Roman Army Week |
Mon 25th Oct 10 10 00 AM |
Fri 29th Oct 10 4 00 PM |