Piddington Roman Villa Museum
Award-winning archaeology museum in a former Wesleyan chapel, telling the story of the Roman villa and Iron Age settlement excavated at Piddington.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum is run by the Upper Nene Archaeological Society (UNAS), which has excavated an Iron Age settlement and a Roman villa just outside the village of Piddington since 1979. The Society acquired the former Wesleyan Chapel in the village, built in 1851, in 1993. The old Sunday schoolroom was converted into a store and was in use by 1994.
With fund-raising and a generous grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the displays were opened to the public in 2004 by the broadcaster Tony Robinson. The museum is accredited by Arts Council England and has won a number of local and national awards for its displays, interpretation, educational offer and special events.
The displays tell the story of the villa and its landscape through small finds, parts of the roof and wall structure, and objects from the well area. The museum is also the headquarters of the Society, where members meet for research, store the archaeological collections and keep a pottery reference collection for Iron Age and Roman pottery. A small archive records the building’s long life as a chapel, and researchers are welcome to study the collections.
Highlights
- Displays on the Piddington Roman villa and Iron Age settlement
- Finds from the villa well and roof and wall remains
- Pottery reference collection for Iron Age and Roman pottery
- Hands-on Roman activities for school groups
- Former Wesleyan chapel of 1851
Permanent exhibition
- Piddington Roman villa and Iron Age settlement – Displays on the Society’s long-term excavations, with small finds, parts of the villa’s roof and wall structure, and objects from the well area.
- Founded
- 2004
- Operated by
- Upper Nene Archaeological Society (UNAS)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £2.50Children and other concessions |
| Children & teens | £2.50free up to age 4 · Children under 5 are free; children aged 5 to 18 pay £2.50. |
| Groups | £6 per personAdult groups by prior arrangement pay £6 per head, including a short talk, a viewing of the displays and refreshments. |
| Residents of Hackleton, Piddington, Horton and Preston Deanery (adults and children) | £2.50 |
Members of UNAS and of the Association for Roman Archaeology (with a current membership card) enter free.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|
- Hands-on stations
Hands-on Roman activities for children are offered mainly to school groups; the museum welcomes groups of all ages, individual visitors and families.
Getting there & parking
The museum is in the former Wesleyan Chapel at 24 Chapel End, on the north-eastern edge of Piddington village.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The museum has a shop selling postcards, books, jewellery and Roman replicas.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The education service for schools, mainly Key Stage 2, offers hands-on activities led by qualified teachers and archaeologists: the Roman army, food and cooking, writing, children, medicine, life in a villa with an animal activity, dress, games and money. It costs £6.50 per child, with a minimum charge of £65, and the activities can also be brought to schools. Adult groups such as societies, U3As and Women’s Institutes can book by arrangement. |
