North Leigh Roman Villa OX29 6PZ
Free for Everyone
Open: Seasonal - See website
Reviews: 0

About:
The remains of this Roman villa are located in a peaceful rural landscape, within a loop of the river Evenlode, which flows gently past the site to the north and west. As visitors approach along a bridleway, the Roman villa site is visible below to the right, and two sides of its rectangular plan become apparent. At its greatest extent, the core of the site was occupied by a huge ‘courtyard villa’, with a range of buildings on each of three sides of a rectangle, and a corridor and gatehouse closing the courtyard on the fourth side. However, significant finds of pre-Roman Iron Age pottery and other features beneath the former south-west range are evidence of earlier occupation. The development of the site was lengthy and complex. The Iron Age settlement was superseded by the first Roman structures in the 1st or early 2nd century AD. These comprised three buildings, one of which was a bathhouse, along the line of what was to become the north-west range. Another structure served as a linking corridor. Early in the 3rd century the south-west and north-east wings were added, partially enclosing the courtyard. These wings were later extended, and the original north-west range was entirely rebuilt, probably in the early 4th century. At this stage the villa incorporated three bath suites, 16 mosaic floors and 11 rooms with underfloor heating. Aerial photographs and geophysical survey have revealed that there were further, extensive buildings beyond the south-west range – perhaps including an aisled barn or hall – which may have formed a home farm for the villa. A system of ditched fields surrounded the villa and there were numerous small gravel quarries, dug for building material in Roman times. The villa probably declined and was abandoned in the 5th century AD, following the withdrawal of Roman troops from Britain and the consequential breakdown of central administration in the province.

Dog Friendly:
Dogs on leads are welcome.

Entry Charge:
Free for everyone (see website)

Parking:
There is parking space for several cars in a lay-by on the roadside, directly opposite the farm track down to the villa. There is a walk of approximately 0.5km down a farm track to the site entrance.

Facilities:
There are no facilities onsite. The market town of Woodstock is located approximately 10km away where there are public toilets and plenty of places to eat and shop.

Notes:
here is no access to the interior of the conduit Access to the site is via an uneven farm track, which can become muddy in wet weather and may be unsuitable for wheelchairs or mobility scooters. There are 5 steps down to reach the mosaic building - these are in good condition with a sturdy bannister..

Contact:
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk
Tel: 0370 3331181