Roman Sussex

Bignor, Fishbourne and the Roman sites of Chichester

3 Days From $910pp Departing Jun & Aug ‘21, Jul & Aug ‘22 Activity Level

Villas were one of the major features of the Romano-British landscape and remain a constant source of fascination and debate. Questions remain about whether they were latifundia or great houses, and whether their owners were Roman British or whether they were absentees. This tour explores some of these complexities.

Tour Highlights

• Enjoy a privileged, behind the scenes access to Fishbourne Roman Villa • Visit the wonderful Novium Museum, which preserves the Roman Baths in

Chichester • Admire the stunning mosaics of the Roman Villa at Bignor

Day One | Chichester Our tour of the Roman villas in Sussex starts today when we gather at our hotel in Chichester and meet our expert Guide Lecturers. Day Two | Chichester Today we spend the day exploring the historic city of Chichester, or Noviomagus Reginorum, whose Roman layout can be seen by its four main streets and by the remains of its ancient forum. We first view the well-preserved remnants of the Roman walls and then proceed to the stunning 12th century cathedral, where, in addition to a number of treasures, we see the remains of a Roman mosaic which once graced a public building. After lunch, we visit the Novium Museum, purposebuilt in order to display the remains of the Roman bath complex uncovered in the end of the 20th century and housing a recently refurbished Roman gallery. We continue to the 15th century Central Market Cross, which stands in the intersection of the four principal - and once Roman - streets of the city. From here, we explore the remnants of the amphitheater, one of the main hallmarks of a Roman city, before ending the day at the Roman cemeteries built outside the city walls. Day Three | Fishbourne & Bignor The morning takes us to Fishbourne Roman Villa, the sumptuous palace built only 30 years after the Roman invasion, perhaps for Togidubnis. Here we admire the scale of the villa, the largest Roman dwelling in Britain, as well as remarkable mosaics, including the very well-preserved dolphin mosaic built in the 2nd century AD when the palace was refurbished. We have special behind-the-scenes access to the villa, which allows us a privileged view of the archaeology of the site. After lunch we visit Bignor Roman Villa, a Roman courtyard residence which is on a much smaller scale than Fishbourne and, built in the 3rd century AD, is much later in date. Here we see some of the bestpreserved mosaics in Britain, including a well-preserved mosaic of the Rape of Ganymede and an intricate mosaic of Medusa.

Guided by Oliver Gilkes

One of Andante’s longest-standing Guide Lecturers, Oliver has also worked as a field and museum archaeologist. Guided by Dr David Rudling

Academic Director of the Sussex School of Archaeology, he is a Visiting Lecturer and Honorary Research Fellow at Roehampton.

Price includes

• 2021 - Two Expert Guide Lecturers who will split the tour between them & Professional Tour Manager • 2022 - Expert Guide Lecturer David Rudling (July),

Oliver Gilkes (August) & Professional Tour Manager • Entries to all sites as per the itinerary • All taxes & gratuities Included travel

• All local transport Accommodation

• Accommodation in Chichester Culinary inclusions

• 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 2 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

Date Twin/Dbl Share SS 18th - 20th Jun ‘21 $910 $250 20th - 22nd Aug ‘21 $910 1st - 3rd Jul ’22 $1,030 5th - 7th Aug ’22 $1,070 $250 $275 $275