Country United Kingdom Demolished c. 350 | Construction started 1st century | |
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Location Hemel Hempstead
grid reference TL049087 Address Hemel Hempstead HP1 3HZ, UK Hours Open today ยท Open 24 hoursThursdayOpen 24 hoursFridayOpen 24 hoursSaturdayOpen 24 hoursSundayOpen 24 hoursMondayOpen 24 hoursTuesdayOpen 24 hoursWednesdayOpen 24 hours Similar Sparsholt Roman Villa, Piddington Roman Villa, Woodchester Roman Villa, Spoonley Wood Roman Vi, Bancroft Roman Villa | ||
Gadebridge Roman Villa is a ruined Roman villa in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England. A chance discovery in 1962, it was excavated in 1963-68 under the direction of David S. Neal. A second excavation took place in 2000, also under the direction of Dr Neal.
The site may have begun as a pre Roman farm, but after the Roman invasion of AD43 its proximity to the Roman city of Verulamium seems to have precipitated its development into a sort of spa and resort. From the Antonine Period, c. 138 AD, stone buildings were added, and around 300 AD a large swimming pool, the biggest in Roman Britain after the one at Bath were built.
The site may have been leveled around AD 350 possibly because of its owner's support for the usurper emperor Magnentius. It returned to agricultural use and was used for cattle pens. Since the excavations the site has been scheduled and is under grassland.