Roman Painted House
Dover, East Kent
The Roman Painted House is a Roman building from around AD 200, discovered in Dover in 1970 and part of the town's Roman military site. It is known for its painted wall plaster and underfloor heating, and is often described as the finest Roman house on show in Britain. It is free, takes under an hour and suits anyone curious about Roman Britain.
Highlights
- Built around AD 200 as part of Roman military Dover
- Rare painted wall plaster (frescoes) still in place
- Underfloor heating system (hypocaust)
- Discovered in 1970 and excavated over the following decade
- Free entry
Good to know
- No food or drink inside
- Only registered assistance dogs are allowed
- Run by Dover Museum, which is a short walk away
Getting there
Roman Painted House, New Street, Dover, Kent, CT17 9AJParking: Two Blue Badge spaces on a first-come basis. The nearest public car parks are Norman Street and Stembrook.
Get directionsChecked on 15 October 2026 against dovermuseum.co.uk, dovermuseum.co.uk. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check
Nearby
Dover Museum and Bronze Age Boat Gallery
Dover Museum in Market Square tells the story of Britain's historic port town through local history and archaeology. Its star exhibit is a prehistoric boat around 3,500 years old, found in Dover in 1992 and shown in its own gallery. It suits families and history fans, takes an hour or two and is free.
Image: Dover Sea SafariDover Sea Safari
Dover Sea Safari runs boat trips from Dover Marina aboard a British-built Humber RHIB, licensed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for up to 12 passengers. Trips speed past cross-channel ferries in the busy port before heading out to see the White Cliffs of Dover, watch grey and harbour seals or visit the Goodwin Sands. It suits families, couples and groups looking for a thrilling trip with plenty of wildlife.
Image: Dover CastleDover Castle
Dover Castle sits high above the White Cliffs, with a medieval Great Tower above ground and a network of secret wartime tunnels below. Climb the tower to discover the court of King Henry II, explore the Under Siege exhibition and let children loose in the siege play area. Give it a full day.