Roman Painted House

Planning to reopen in Spring 2025

The Roman Painted House currently remains closed to the public.

As part of the final checks carried out prior to reopening the building, the specialist carrying out the air sampling highlighted that further checks are necessary. Because public safety is our primary concern, we have made the decision to postpone the opening until the results of these further checks come through.

Now spring is here and the weather improves, this should ensure that the air quality in the building is fine for both visitors and staff.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, and we look forward to opening as soon as we can. We welcomed over 3,100 visitors in 2024, and we thank you for your continued support.

We continue to work with Historic England and other specialists to plan, protect and preserve this valuable scheduled monument for future generations.

About the Roman Painted House

The Roman Painted House was discovered in 1970 and then excavated by local archaeologists during the following decade. Built in around 200 AD it formed part of the Roman military site in Dover. It has been described as the finest Roman house on show in Britain, with unique painted plaster walls (frescoes) and elaborate under floor heating (hypocaust).

The Roman Painted House is just part of a significant set of archaeological remains in the centre of modern-day Dover, some of which are under the adjacent Roman Lawn and include a Roman Bath House.

Plans for the venue 

Dover District Council and the Dover Roman Painted House Trust plan to collaborate and submit a funding application to support a major ‘Roman Dover’ project. This would not only better protect this scheduled monument but would also publicly open and protect Dover’s Roman Bath House, to support significant ongoing regeneration and create one of the best Roman sites in Britain.   

Visiting

Admission is free

Guided educational visits and group tours are available to book at a small charge - please email RPH@dover.gov.uk or call 01304 201066 to book.

The Roman Painted House
New Street
Dover
CT17 9AJ

What Three Words: guitar.faded.enter 

Parking

There is currently no parking on site. Albany Road, Norman Street and Stembrook car parks are both close by.

Blue Badge holders may park free of charge for up to three hours, or for the maximum period, in any of Dover District Council’s car parks. For further information on car parking in Dover, please see dover.gov.uk/parking.