Chedworth Roman Villa

Roman villa near Chedworth, Gloucestershire, England

Chedworth Roman Villa is located near Chedworth, Gloucestershire, England and is a scheduled monument. It is one of the largest and most elaborate Roman villas so far discovered in Britain and one with the latest occupation beyond the Roman period. The villa was built in phases from the early 2nd century to the 5th century, with the 4th century construction transforming the building into an elite dwelling arranged around three sides of a courtyard. The 4th century building included a heated and furnished west wing containing a dining room (triclinium) with a fine mosaic floor, as well as two separate bathing suites: one for damp heat and one for dry heat. The villa was discovered in 1864, and was excavated and opened to public view soon afterwards. It was acquired in 1924 by the National Trust who have conducted a long term conservation programme, with new on site facilities and cover buildings. Historians have debated whether Chedworth was a villa rustica or a religious sanctuary and hostel, as evidence has been found in support of both arguments. Most currently believe, however, that Chedworth was the former, inhabited by a very wealthy Romano Briton.

The villa stands in a sheltered, shady position overlooking the River Coln in the Cotswold Hills in Gloucestershire. It was located just off the Roman road known as the Fosse Way, and north of the important town of Corinium Dobunnorum (Cirencester). Cirencester's reputation as a centre of tribal government and a civitas capital led to quick romanisation of the area and resulting concentration of wealth. Chedworth's location in the Cotswolds and the valley of the River Coln was important for agriculture. It was one of about fifty villas in the Cotswolds,

The villa was deliberately located next to a natural spring in the north west corner of the complex which was the villa's main source of water, and around which was later built an apsidal shrine to the water nymphs (nymphaeum).

The two nearest settlements were Corinium (Cirencester) founded as forts in about 50, shortly after the Roman conquest, and Glevum (Gloucester) founded in 97. As the area became settled under Roman rule, these centres ceased to be military bases, soldiers retired to land provided by the Roman governorship in recognition of military service. It is noteworthy that twenty two Roman villas have been found within a ten mile radius of Chedworth. The villa may have been related to the retirement of these veteran soldiers. The villa was founded about 120 The original structures were typical of a working farm and outbuildings. The villa went through at least six stages of construction or re construction. In the early 3rd century (Phase II) the west and south wings were rebuilt following a fire, and the north bath suite was enlarged with extra rooms added to its eastern side. In room 28 the mosaic and walls on the east and west sides were installed after 424. This is the first evidence that concentrated wealth funded Roman lifestyles in Britain for at least 50 years later than previously thought, as the building of new rooms with a mosaic is evidence of prestige spending on specialized skills including mosaic craftsmen. Other mosaics in neighbouring rooms, including room 30, show stylistic similarities and may also be of the 5th century. Later a workshop was installed on top of the mosaic floor and two hearths, made out of pieces of architecture of the villa, were built into the worn floor of the room. 52% of the coins found at the villa date from 564 to 585 showing that intensive occupation continued into the post Roman period.

The pool in the north west corner of the villa complex was developed from the naturally occurring fresh water spring which most likely inspired the location of the villa in the first place. The spring became a location for an apsidal shrine to the water nymphs (nymphaeum). The extant curved rear wall is 2 metres high and is the original Roman masonry.

Foundations of a Romano British temple have been excavated about 800 metres south east of the villa buildings. The remains comprise the southwest and southeast corners of a rectangular building, measuring 16.5m by 16.0m. Finds included coins, hexagonal tiles, fragments of pillars, part of a shell headed niche and glass tesserae.

The villa was accidentally discovered in 1864 by Thomas Margetts, a gamekeeper who was digging for a ferret, and found fragments of mosaic tesserae. The site was subsequently excavated in 1865 7 by James Farrer,

In 1924 the villa was acquired by the National Trust. In 1957 1965 Prof. Ian Richmond excavated and re interpreted Chedworth but died in 1965 without publishing any results. Parts of the villa were re buried. In 2011 a new cover building was provided for the mosaics in the west wing to ensure their preservation. A geophysical survey of the field east of the villa in 2012 revealed a central approach road running up from the valley floor and two other buildings, one a circular stone structure on the south side of the road.

The pavement mosaics in several rooms exhibit the typical geometric meander patterns found in other Roman villas throughout England. The dining room floor contains one of the most elaborate geometric designs found in the villa. Although in good condition, there are substantial portions of it missing. However, a simple mathematical algorithm has been discovered that is able to reconstruct the missing parts of the mosaic from what is still there.

The National Trust considered that Victorian efforts at site conservation were outdated and that the early shelters were not providing sufficient protection. So since 2010 the site has been transformed. They appointed Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios to design a new conservation building as well as a learning facility for the archaeological site. At the same time the reception building was refurbished. The £2.2m project was completed in March 2012.