Bath & the Cotswolds

4-6 May, 2012

Please Book by 29 February, 2012

The west country includes a number of Roman sites and museums several of which have seen transformational changes in the last few years. Not all are well known and this Spring meeting gives members the chance to see familiar sites as they may never have seen them before, and other sites for the first time.  The weekend is led by fellow members of the Society.

Friday Evening

Meet at the Roman Baths at 6.15pm for a private Tour followed by a Civic reception and then dinner on the terrace overlooking the Great Bath.

The Roman Baths at Bath has been re-developed recently with radically improved access, new interpretation and a monument conservation programme. We will be greeted by the Chairman of Bath & North East Somerset Council and led by Stephen Bird, Susan Fox and Stephen Clews.

Accommodation in Pratt’s Hotel.

Saturday morning

Nesley Farm excavation near Tetbury

Travel through the south Cotswolds to the Nelsey Farm excavation where we will be led by the Excavation Director Tony Roberts.

Cotswold Archaeological Trust compound at Kemble 

The Cotswold Archaeological Trust has its headquarters at Kemble near Cirencester. We will visit the Trust’s compound and hear about current research on a range of Roman sites in the area from its Chief Executive Neil Holbrook.

Saturday afternoon

Lunch at Siddington, Cirencester Amphitheatre & Great Witcombe Villa

Cirencester amphitheatre is very well preserved in an area of Roman quarries and close to major Roman cemeteries. It has a fascinating afterlife which is why it is known locally as the Bull Ring. Led by Richard Reece.

Great Witcombe Roman Villa near Gloucester has been the site of new research and interpretation. We will have access to the cover buildings protecting the mosaic which are normally closed to the public. Led by Neil Holbrook.

Saturday evening

Private visit to the Corinium Museum, Cirencester followed by dinner at the Royal Agricultural College.

The Corinium Museum at Cirencester re-opened in 2005 following a two year re-furbishment and has seen further change since. We will be greeted by Museum Curator Amanda Hart.

Accommodation at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester with additional accommodation at Riverside House Hotel, Cirencester if required.

Sunday morning

Visit to North Leigh Villa

North Leigh is one of the most extensive and publicly accessible villa sites in the Cotswolds. We have arranged access to the cover building, which is normally locked, to see the mosaic. We will be led by Peter Ellis who published the site in Britannia.

Sunday afternoon

Sunday lunch at Northleach followed by a visit to Chedworth Villa

A programme of several years’ research and conservation at Chedworth Roman Villa has confirmed and revealed the south wing and led to the provision of new cover buildings to protect the bath houses and some newly exposed mosaics. It re-opens in April 2012. We will be led by Simon Esmonde Cleary who has been closely involved in the work programme.

Return coach journey to Bath including drop off at Bath Spa railway station.

Practicalities

o   Travel is by coach from and returning to Bath, which can be reached easily by rail or national coaches.

o   Accommodation is provided at Pratt’s Hotel, Bath and at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester with additional accommodation if required at the Riverside House Hotel, Cirencester.

o   There is a short walk of about 100 metres over grass to both Cirencester Amphitheatre and Great Witcombe Villa. The walk to North Leigh Villa is 600 metres and may be muddy if wet.

o   All accommodation, admission charges and food are included.   Members must pay for their own drinks at lunchtime.

o    Members living locally who will not be joining the day-trips, but would like to join the Society at one of the evening tours and dinners can do so.

o   Members can bring spouses, partners etc. as their guests

For a booking form, please click here.