The best places to visit to learn about the Romans in Kent
What did the Romans ever do for us? Well, quite a lot actually.
Kent is awash with Roman relics – from artefacts to villas. Here’s our run down of the ten best places to visit to introduce the kids to the Romans.
1. Richborough – the most important Roman site in Britain
Considered to be the most symbolically important of all Roman sites in Britain, it was here at Richborough Roman Fort and Ampitheatre that the Romans first set up shop on these shores. Acting as both a fortress to a small town and a military base to protect against Saxon invasion, it certainly saw some action until the very end of Roman rule in 410.
As they inevitably run riot across the vast site, encourage the kids to imagine what this place looked like almost 2,000 years ago. The footings of gigantic stone walls mark the outline of what was the fort, and the elliptical hollow shows where the amphitheatre would have staged wild animal fights and gladiator combat.
If you need more inspiration, you can jump on a boat in nearby Sandwich and arrive at the fort as the Romans would have done.
Listen up: There’s a great audio tour available
Don’t forget: Visit the small onsite museum which has some interesting artefacts.
Fun fact: This is the point at which Watling Street starts, the first Road to London.
2. Uncover Dover’s buried Roman house
The award-winning Roman Painted House is said to be the finest of its type in all of Britain. Discovered by archaeological diggers who have trawled the depths of Dover for evidence of Roman life, the house is brilliantly preserved. Built in around AD 200, and discovered in the 1970s, the dwelling was likely part of a big hotel developed for travellers crossing the Channel.
Seventy years later it was demolished to make way for a bigger fort on the site. But enough of it was left to ruin to bewilder and ignite the imagination of young Roman scholars, including painted wall murals and the remnants of an elaborate underfloor heating system.
The museum has plenty of displays showing off Dover’s rich connection to the Romans unearthed during various excavations. There’s a dressing up box, brass rubbing and mosaic making activities so the kids can get hands on.
Plan ahead: The museum is not open all year round, check times before you plan your visit.
Ask questions: Make use of the volunteers who can bring the place to life for young ones.
Time check: Allow about an hour for a visit.
3. Soak up knowledge in Canterbury’s dedicated museum
Canterbury Roman Museum, actually built around the remains of an original Roman town house in the heart of the city, presents the most family-friendly of insights into life in Roman Britain. Visitors can try on a toga, make a mosaic and handle real Roman objects.
4. Play dress up in Lullingstone
Set down in the beautiful Darent Valley, Lullingstone Roman Villa is a wonderful preservation of our country’s remarkably long history. Construction began back in AD 100 and became the home of successive wealthy owners right the way through to the middle of the fourth century. Its grandeur (if not its opulence), is still understandable (if not visible) today and visitors are treated to a wealth of highlights, including spectacular mosaics, wall paintings and Roman baths.
Unlike many Roman remains (which are either forts or military bases), Lullingstone is unique in that it was a family home. This is your chance to see how real people (albeit incredibly wealthy) lived almost 2,000 years ago.
Run by English Heritage, which describes it as “among the most outstanding Roman villa survivals in Britain,” Lullingstone is a well-funded visitor attraction. There’s a light show that brings the entire building to life for young imaginations. There’s a wealth of galleries showing off a vast collection of artefacts (including two human skeletons).
But the real highlight here is the dressing up box, giving the kids to try on a range of Roman garments. There’s also a bunch of traditional board games from the period to try out.
For more great ideas for spending better time with the kids in Kent, buy a copy of 237 Ideas for Stuff to Do and Places to Go in Kent with Kids.
