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Silchester Roman City
Travel Information and nearby accommodation
This site was settled as early as the late Iron Age, when it was an important tribal centre for the native Atrebates. When the Romans settled in Britain, they reused the settlement site to create a new town called Calleva Attrebatum (loosely translated as Town in the woods of the Atrebattes).
Sections of Iron Age earthwork ditches and banks can still be seen outside the Roman walls. Pre-Roman coins suggest the the Attrebates settlement was founded by Commius, a Gallic chief who fought against Julius Caesar in Gaul around 50BCE, and later escaped to Britain.
Under the Romans Calleva Attrebatum became a civitas, or regional capital. The buildings in the centre of Calleva were of stone, and included a forum and basillica. However, buildings further out from the centre were probably still built of wood. The town suffered a fire in the late 3rd century which razed most of the buildings. It was quickly rebuilt, and continued to flourish until it was eventually abandonned sometime in the 5th or 6th centuries.
What makes Silchester Roman Town so unique is that it was never reused or resetled after the departue of the Romans. Therefore it provides a remarkably unaltered example of a Roman town. The town site is surrounded by a 3rd century wall roughly 1.5 miles in length, one of the best preserved original Roman town walls in Britain. None of the buildings within the walls remain standing, though ongoing archaeological investigations illuminate the layout and nature of the settlement.
Just outside the town walls are the remains of a very large amphitheatre, which provided seating for between 4500 and 9000 spectators. The amphitheatre was begun between 50-70 AD and was constructed of wood. It is one of the earliest known amphitheatres in Britain. The early structure was remodelled in stone sometime in the 3rd century. We do not know for certain what sorts of entertainments took place here, but records elsewhere suggest that common activities in amphitheatres included animal baiting (usually dogs, bulls, and bears), public executions, and gladiatorial combat.
The walls are very substantial; they stand to over 12 feet high in places (about 4 metres).
Calleva is in the process of excavation by archaeologists from the University of Reading, and visitors may view the excavations taking place from raised platforms. Pre-booked guided tours are also available. Details of the excavations, and a history of the site can be seen at the Reading University Silchester website.
Silchester,
Hampshire,
England
About Silchester Roman City
Attraction Type: Roman
Location: Just off a minor road 1 mile east of the village of Silchester. Open at any reasonable time.
Website: Silchester Roman City
English Heritage
Location
map
OS SU639623
Photo Credit: Richard Croft, licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence
Heritage Highlight: The most unaltered Roman town site in Britain
Heritage Rating:  ?
Nearest Accommodation to Silchester Roman City
Nearest Self Catering Cottages |
 The Coach House -
16
miles from Silchester Roman City
Kingsley, Hampshire
Sleeps: 2
Stay from: £275 |
 9 Leverton Cottages -
20
miles from Silchester Roman City
Chilton Foliat, Berkshire
Sleeps: 4
Stay from: £300 |
 No 6 The Courtyard (First Floor) -
22.3
miles from Silchester Roman City
Windsor, Berkshire
Sleeps: 4
Stay from: £495 |
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Nearest Tourist
Information Centre
Newbury
Tourist Information Centre
West Berkshire Heritage Services
The Wharf
Newbury
Berkshire
England
RG14 5AS
Tel: 01635 30267
Fax: 01635 30267
Email: tourism@westberks.gov.uk
Web: http://www.westberks.gov.uk
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