Bignor Roman Villa Sussex

Bignor Roman Villa

Bignor Roman Villa, near Chichester, Sussex

Bignor Roman Villa northeast of Chichester in Sussex is not as famous or large as nearby Fishbourne Roman Palace but it has some of the best-preserved mosaics in the country.

History

The site at Bignor is a Romano-British villa that must have belonged to a wealthy farming family.

This probably began with much simpler wooden structures before a stone villa was constructed some time in the 3rd century.

Located on the Roman road between London and Chichester, the villa also had a hypocaust (underfloor heating system), a portico and some amazing mosaics.

The site was discovered by accident in 1811 by a local farmer. John Hawkins, the wealthy owner of nearby Bignor Park and a prominent geologist later excavated the villa.

Mosaics

The mosaics on display are some of the most well-preserved examples found in the UK. They include mosaics of Medusa, Venus and Ganymede and are also of high artistic merit.

The site of Bignor Roman Villa. — Aerial view of the site © Bignor Roman Villa

Other Attractions at Bignor

The site also includes a "Maize maze" in the shape of the Medusa mosaic, a camping area, tearoom and picnic place.

Access - how to get to Bignor

Bignor
West Sussex, RH20 1PH
Tel: 01798 869259
www: bignorromanvilla.co.uk

Chichester is under 3 hours by car from London. East of Portsmouth on the south coast by train from the capital, Chichester is about 90 minutes from Victoria Station. From Portsmouth it is 20 minutes by train.

The nearest railway station to the palace is Fishbourne just 10 minutes or less on foot.

Chichester Cathedral, UK. — Chichester Cathedral

Nearby

The pleasant, market town of Chichester still retains parts of its original Roman street plan. Known as Noviomagus Reginorum during the Roman period, the recent Novium Museum is built over the town's Roman baths. Built in 2012, the museum is on three floors with the Bath complex on the ground floor. As well as a mosaic discovered at Chilgrove Roman Villa and other Roman pieces, the Novium houses the collection of the former Chichester District Museum.

Other attractions include a 16th-century Market Cross and the impressive and ancient Chichester Cathedral.

The cathedral dates originally from the 11th century but the building visitors see today is largely 14th century Gothic, following a fire which largely destroyed the original.

The interior inspired the poet Philip Larkin to pen An Arundel Tomb and is now richly decorated with contemporary art including a stained glass window by Marc Chagall and a painting by Graham Sutherland. A pair of 12th century reliefs in the south aisle are considered some of the finest Romanesque carvings in England.

Chichester also has some fine Georgian architecture. Visit the Guildhall and the interesting Pallant House Gallery with pieces by Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore and Graham Sutherland.