Roman Painted House
Free Roman house in Dover with painted plaster walls and underfloor heating, one of the best-preserved Roman houses on show in Britain.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Roman Painted House was discovered in 1970 and excavated by local archaeologists during the 1980s. It was built around 200 AD as part of the Roman military site in Dover and has been described as the finest Roman house on show in Britain.
Its main attractions are the painted plaster walls, or frescoes, and the elaborate underfloor heating system, called a hypocaust. The monument lies below ground level and is reached by a staircase, with a viewing platform at ground level for visitors who cannot go down. It is only part of a larger group of Roman remains in the centre of Dover, some of which lie under the adjacent Roman Lawn and include a Roman bath house.
The site is run by Dover District Council with the Dover Roman Painted House Trust. In early 2024 a programme of works made the building safe and compliant, including new electrics, lighting, toilets, structural repairs, a new fire escape and a new floor. The house reopened on 14 September 2024, and more than 11,000 visitors have come since then. The council and the trust plan to apply for funding for a larger Roman Dover project that would protect the monument and open the bath house to the public.
Highlights
- Roman wall paintings about 1,800 years old
- Hypocaust underfloor heating system
- Part of a Roman military site in the centre of Dover
- Free admission
- Guided educational visits and group tours can be booked
Permanent exhibition
- Roman Painted House – A Roman house of about 200 AD below ground, with painted plaster walls and a hypocaust heating system, shown with information panels.
- Operated by
- Dover District Council
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups | –Guided educational visits and group tours can be booked at a small charge by email to RPH@dover.gov.uk. |
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Admission is free.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: not available
- 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
Access is limited because the monument is below ground level and can only be reached by a staircase. A viewing platform at ground level can be reached by everyone, and visitors who cannot go down can borrow printed copies of the information panels from reception. Only registered assistance dogs are allowed. There are two parking spaces for Blue Badge holders, available first come first served.
Kids & families
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Two Blue Badge spaces are on site (show the badge at reception). The nearest public car parks are Norman Street and Stembrook. Blue Badge holders may park free of charge for up to three hours, or for the maximum period, in any Dover District Council car park.
- Accessible parking
Amenities & dining
No food or drink and no smoking or vaping on the site. No visitor wifi is mentioned.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult. Guided educational visits and group tours are available for a small charge. |
