North Leigh Roman Villa
Recommended by
Overview
The remains of this Roman villa are located by a loop of the River Evenlode. This was a courtyard-style villa, with a range of buildings on the three sides of a rectangle and a corridor and gatehouse on the fourth side. The villa dates to the early 4th century, but finds of Iron Age pottery suggest earlier occupation on the site. Historians think that the majority of homes like this were built for leading members of the strata of the native population that had been co-opted into the empire, rather than having been constructed as residences for Roman officials. Nothing says ‘I side with Rome rather than my own people, and also keep up with the Marcus Aurelius Joneses’ quite like this impressive mosaic floor. The villa was abandoned when the Romans withdrew from Britain in the 5th century.
Features
- Opening Times
- Open all year
- Opening Times: Grounds open any reasonable time. Viewing window for mosaic tile floor. Pedestrian access only from main road 600yds
- Facilities
- Parking onsite
About the area
Located at the heart of England, Oxfordshire enjoys a rich heritage and varied scenery, with Oxford’s elegant streets a highlight for visitors. The landscape encompasses open chalk downland, picturesque rivers and attractive villages, while northwest of Oxfordshire is home to the sleepy backwaters of Abingdon, Wallingford, Wantage, Watlington and Witney that reveal how Oxfordshire’s old towns evolved over the centuries.
Places to eat nearby View all
Nearby places to stay
View all (8)
Nearby places to stay
The Royal Oak
At the centre of a tranquil Cotswolds village, The Royal Oak offers five comfy and individually styled rooms. The charming 17th-century inn has heaps of cosy traditional character in th...
The Blenheim Buttery
Blenheim Buttery is an old building from 1668 situated in the heart of Woodstock. On the ground floor there is a tea room with a cosy garden, while inside are six en suite bedrooms. Ide...
The Woodstock Arms
The Woodstock Arms is a traditional inn with five cosy bedrooms, in the heart of Woodstock. It's typically traditional, rustic interior includes the obligatory roaring open fire. The am...
The Feathers Hotel
Perched within idyllic Woodstock, The Feathers boasts stylish, inviting interiors with contemporary design features that complement and accentuate the historic character that the buildi...
Lower End Barn
Just a few miles from Charlbury with its excellent pubs and quirky shops, Lower End Barn is a quaint Cotswold cottage packed with character and original features. Popular with families ...
Lower End Barn
Just a few miles from Charlbury with its excellent pubs and quirky shops, Lower End Barn is a quaint Cotswold cottage packed with character and original features. Popular with families ...
The Killingworth Castle
Killingworth Castle is a 17th-century, roadside country inn, located just a few miles from Woodstock, once frequented by Winston Churchill when he lived at nearby Blenheim Palace. It ha...
The Manor House
The Manor House boasts plenty of charming character with an elegant Georgian layout, a beautiful sweeping lawn and barn extensions. Sleeping 18, this beautiful Georgian manor house is i...
