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Richborough Excavations 2008
Richborough Excavations 2008
Archaeological excavations are being carried out by English Heritage’s Archaeological Projects Team during September 2008
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Richborough Roman Fort and Amphitheatre

Aerial view
Aerial view (c) Skyscan Balloon Photography
Aerial view - Aerial view (c) Lead weight - bust of a man - Lead weight - bust of a man (c) Richborough Roman Fort - Reconstruction drawing of middle Roman fort - 2nd stage showing port and ceremonial arch Ivan Lapper (c)

Evocatively sited amid the East Kent marshes, Richborough is perhaps the most symbolically important of all Roman sites in Britain, witnessing both the beginning and almost the end of Roman rule here. The site is now two miles from the sea; in AD 43 it overlooked a sheltered lagoon harbour. Here, all but certainly, the invading Roman forces first landed and established a bridgehead. This event was later commemorated by a mighty triumphal arch, whose cross-shaped foundations still survive here. Proclaiming that the Roman conquest of Britain was complete, this also provided an impressive gateway for arrivals at what became the province’s main entry port.

By the mid-3rd century, however, Roman Britain was under attack by sea-borne Saxon and other raiders. The once-prosperous commercial port of Rutupiae was hastily fortified, first by the digging of the great triple ditches and ramparts still visible round the site of the arch. But within a decade or so the defences were completely revamped, and Richborough was provided with its circuit of towered stone walls and outer ditches, becoming one of the most important of the ‘Saxon Shore’ forts. It was also among the last to be regularly occupied: there is evidence of a large Roman population here in the early 5th century, some of them worshipping in the little Early Christian church discovered in one corner of the fort.

You can choose to reach the fort as the Romans would have done, by boat. Boats sail from Sandwich, but not every day: please contact the site to check times.

Opening Times:

April 2009 to March 2010Opening TimesOpening Days
1 Apr-30 Sept10am - 6pmMon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
Amphitheatre: Any reasonable time, access across grazed land from footpath; please call 01304 612013 for details 

How much does it cost?

Adult:
£4.30 until 31 Mar 2010 / £4.50 from 1 Apr 2010
Children:
£2.20 until 31 Mar 2010 / £2.30 from 1 Apr 2010
Concession:
£3.70 until 31 Mar 2010 / £3.80 from 1 Apr 2010
English Heritage Members:
Other:
Family £10.80 until 31 Mar 2010 / £11.30 from 1 Apr 2010

How do I get there?

Address:
Kent - CT13 9JW
Road Access:
At the A256/A257 roundabout, take the road for Sandwich and thenturn left at the fire station
Train Access:
Sandwich 2 miles
Map Location:
Telephone:
01304 612013

What facilities are available?

Facilities Available:
ParkingSuitable for people with disabilitiesMuseumEducationDogs allowed on leadsAudio tours (included in admission price)ShopHazardousFamily LearningAdmission free for Overseas Vistor Pass holders

What facilities are available for groups?

Group Discount:
15% discount for groups of 11 or more visitors paying together. Free entry for coach driver and tour leader.
Coach Parking Facilities:
Free parking for up to 8 coaches, 150 metres from site entrance
Group Booking:
Contact the site for a Group Booking Form and for opening times and prices from 1 April 2010.
Average Length of Visit:
1 hour
Guided Tours:

Richborough Roman Amphitheatre (incl. optional River Walk)
This is a guided walk, which involves following footpaths and crossing styles - suitable footwear is recommended! The remains of the Amphitheatre lie in the fields away from the Fort and is a 10 - 15 minute walk from the site shop. Although not a great deal is known about the Amphitheatre, visiting it gives an interesting insight into the wider context of Rutupiae - the Roman name for Richborough- as the town would once have filled the fields between the Amphitheatre and the Fort. The tour includes an examination of the magnetometer survey conducted at Richborough in 2001, which shows the outlines of the town buildings and roads which still lie under the surrounding fields.

From the high vantage point of the Amphitheatre it is easy to imagine how the surrounding landscape was once under the Wantsum Channel, making Richborough the entry port to Roman Britain.  The Walk could easily be extended to include a return route alongside the river Stour which passes below the fort.

Duration: 30 - 40 mins

Minimum - maximum pax: 11 - 30

Advance booking required: Yes - 2 weeks

Call for prices and to book:01304 612013

The History & Archaeology of Richborough Roman Fort
This guided tour around the Fort looks at important developments on the site from the early defences dating from the Claudian Invasion of AD 43 to the excavations of the 1920s and 30s.

Richborough was once the busy entrance port to the Roman province of Britannia, and the site of a huge monumental arch built to celebrate the triumph of Rome. The foundations of this monument can still be seen as can many other phases of building inside the walls of the later Fort. The tour focuses on the various physical remains of the Roman occupation, which were uncovered and laid out over 16 years of excavation. These include an early supply base, the remains of the Arch, the Mansion building where visiting officials would have stayed and the later defences including the walls of the Fort and the later Christian use of the site.

Duration: 40 mins - 1 hour approx

Minimum - maximum pax: 11 - 30

Advance booking required: Yes - 2 weeks

Call for prices and to book:01304 612013

Further Info

Dogs on leads only in restricted areas
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