Silchester
One of Britain's first towns, Silchester was the capital of the Celtic Atrebates way before the Romans came to Britain. Today the village is best known for the excavated remains of the large town of Calleva Atrebatum. Developed by the Romans as a garrison town in AD43, it is located at the centre of a network of principle roads. Later expanding as an important market centre and administrative base, it flourished up until around AD500, after which it was totally abandoned.
Silchester © Philip Pankhurst (CC2)
Noted to be one of the most complete Roman towns so far discovered in Britain. The original gateway and much of the town walls still survive. Excavations have revealed traces of the Forum, Basilica, public baths, guest houses, inns and shops. A rare 4th Century Christian Church was also discovered within the walls and the remains of an amphitheatre can be found just outside it to the east. The remains of the fortified walls, enclosing around 100 acres of land, are best seen from the churchyard of St Mary's. Visitors can walk round the entire circuit of the walls, a distance of almost 2km (1.5 miles).
Calleva Museum
Located in the grounds of Silchester rectory (1951) as a contribution to the Festival of Britain. The museum displays finds and artefacts from the excavations and hosts a graphic display of how the Roman town once looked. However, as the site has been extensively excavated by the University of Reading its principle remains are now on display in the Reading Museum.
Managed by English Heritage. Free entry - open at any reasonable time.
Map of Silchester
South East England
