Photo: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Hypocaust Museum

Small free museum in Verulamium Park, St Albans, preserving a Roman underfloor heating system and mosaic where they were found.

Opening hoursFree admission Partially accessible

Website Directions

About the museum

The Hypocaust Museum stands in Verulamium Park, within the area of the walled Roman city of Verulamium. It protects the remains of a hypocaust, a Roman underfloor heating system, and a mosaic floor in their original position. The floor probably belonged to the reception and meeting rooms of a large town house built around AD 200, close to Watling Street, the Roman road that ran past the city.

The house was uncovered in the 1930s by Sir Mortimer Wheeler and Tessa Wheeler, who led large excavations on land that St Albans Corporation had recently acquired. Instead of lifting the remains, the archaeologists left them in place and built a protective structure over them.

The original museum building was replaced in 2004 by the modern building with glass doors that visitors see today. A walkway runs around the mosaic, and an audio piece called Hypocaust Voices features mosaic artists and archaeologists. The site is run by St Albans Museums, and entry is free.

Highlights

Roman hypocaust (underfloor heating) in its original position
Roman mosaic floor preserved in situ
Remains of a town house from around AD 200
Walkway around the mosaic
Audio piece Hypocaust Voices
Free admission

Permanent exhibition

Roman hypocaust and mosaic – A Roman underfloor heating system and mosaic floor preserved on the spot where the town house stood, under a modern protective building.

Operated by: St Albans Museums

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Accessibility

Partially wheelchair accessible
Elevator: not available
Accessible restroom: not available
Accessible parking
Service dogs welcome: no information
Tactile models & exhibits: no information
Sign language tours: no information
Easy-to-read materials: no information
Audio description: no information

The paths to the building can be muddy and there is an incline up to the entrance. The heavy glass doors open manually outwards. A walkway circles the mosaic, with 4 steps on one side and a slope on the other. There are no toilets at the building. Disabled parking bays are in the car park in front of Verulamium Museum.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By public transit

Buses 300 and 301 (Stevenage to Hemel Hempstead) stop near St Michael’s Church. St Albans is about 20 minutes by train from London St Pancras, and the Abbey Flyer runs from Watford Junction to St Albans Abbey station. It is about a 20-minute walk from the town centre.

By car

Paid parking

The pay-and-display car park in front of Verulamium Museum has 150 spaces, including 7 disabled bays, and is open 24 hours. It can get busy at weekends and on sunny days.

Accessible parking

By car, reach the site via St Michael’s Street or Bluehouse Hill (A4147). The hypocaust is a short walk from Verulamium Museum.

Get directions

Amenities & dining

There are no toilet facilities at the building.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit

Good to know	The audio piece Hypocaust Voices features mosaic artists and archaeologists. Groups can visit the hypocaust free of charge alongside a visit to Verulamium Museum, and group bookings for both go through Verulamium Museum.