Bignor Roman Villa

About the museum

Bignor Roman Villa was one of the largest country houses of Roman Britain. A farm stood on the site by the end of the first century, and a simple timber building followed around AD 190. A stone house was built in the middle of the third century and was later extended with new rooms, a heating system under the floors and a portico. By about AD 300 north and south wings had been added around a courtyard, and in its final form the villa had around sixty-five rooms. Most of the fine mosaics belong to the last building phase in the north wing. The villa seems to have declined slowly and was abandoned around AD 400.

In 1811 a farmer called George Tupper struck a large stone with his plough and uncovered part of a mosaic. John Hawkins of nearby Bignor Park took charge of the digging with the antiquary Samuel Lysons, and the villa opened to visitors in 1814. Thatched buildings were soon put up over the best floors, and some of these flint-walled shelters are still in use and are listed in their own right. Lysons published engravings of the finds, which remain the main record of the early work.

Further excavations took place in the twentieth century. The land is still owned by the Tupper family, and the villa is run by a charitable trust. Visitors see mosaics showing figures such as Medusa and gladiators, a winter dining room with underfloor heating and a bath house. The Greek-key corridor in the north range, about 24 metres long, is the longest of its kind in Britain. The site has no mains electricity, so it is open only in the warmer months.

Highlights

• Mosaic floors among the finest in Britain
• Medusa mosaic
• Gladiator mosaic
• Winter dining room with underfloor heating
• Longest Roman mosaic corridor in Britain, about 24 metres
• Thatched shelters from the early 19th century

Permanent exhibitions

• The Roman mosaics – Floors from the north wing of the villa, with figures such as Medusa and gladiators and a long Greek-key corridor, displayed under early 19th-century thatched shelters.
• Winter dining room and bath house – Remains of a heated dining room with an underfloor heating system and of the villa's bath house.

Founded

1814

Operated by

Bignor Roman Villa Charitable Trust

Admission & discounts

The prices are the standard prices without a voluntary donation; the villa also lists prices that include a donation (adult £13, seniors and students £11, children £8.50, family £36). The home page announces free entry for the October 2026 opening days (weekends and half-term days) from 10:00 to 16:00.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A disabled parking area is at the top of the car park, nearest to the villa. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the site.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The villa holds themed Roman weekends and festivals with displays, crafts and have-a-go activities, such as corn grinding, wool spinning and making paper mosaics; normal admission applies. Children under 5 enter free.

Getting there & parking

The villa is in the South Downs National Park, about 6 miles north of Arundel, and is signposted with brown tourist signs. Enter the postcode RH20 1PH in a satnav, or use the what3words address panther.pickup.private. The location is rural and not on a main road, and local roads are used by working farms, so drivers should follow speed limits and use passing places with care.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

The tearoom serves hot and cold drinks, cakes and ice cream, and is open to the public without an admission ticket. A small gift shop sells souvenirs. There are picnic areas, and the site is off the mains electricity grid.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit