April 2022 Group Meeting Media Report
What did the Romans do in North Kent? One answer to this question is that they left behind solid evidence of their occupation in our area. During his presentation at the April meeting of Swanley History Group, Member of the Council of Kent Archaeology Dr. Gerald Cramp informed us that the Roman period in Britain was from 43 AD to 410 AD. He described several sites of Roman villas and associated buildings which have been discovered along the Darent Valley from Dartford to Kemsing using maps, illustrations and photographs.
Lullingstone Roman Villa is a major visitor attraction and known to many of us but we were astonished to learn of many other villas, some which were considerably larger, now hidden under modern day developments and fields in the countryside. It seems that protection for sites such as the remains of domestic Roman buildings did not exist until after World War 2.
Our journey of discovery:-
Dartford - near the junction of Princes Road and Darenth Road, the east wing of a villa was discovered in 1895.
Wilmington - in Trafalgar Road, near The Orange Tree, a villa with under-floor central heating and painted walls
Darenth – a scheduled Ancient Monument, dating from 100 AD to 400 AD, of buildings 92 m long with 70 rooms, possibly two storeys. Roman tiles can be seen in three corners of nearby St. Margaret’s Church. Once a tourist attraction this site is now under a group of trees. Artefacts are held at Rochester Museum.
Horton Kirby – Evidence of a large Roman estate with a granary was uncovered in Westminster fields in 1973 and also a smaller building in the grounds of Franks Hall
Farningham – (1) A domed bathhouse with tiled floor found in 1925 during the construction of Oliver Crescent. (2) Discovered in 1948 by Lieutenant Colonel Meates this long ‘corridor’ villa with wings situated near the Darent with hypocaust under floor heating, three mosaic pavements and evidence of painted plasterwork. The skeleton of a small dog was buried in a room
Lullingstone – Brief details given as covered in a separate presentation. First discovered in 1750 when posts being erected went through a mosaic floor, the site was rediscovered in 1939 but excavation did not begin until after WW2. A nearby granary, now covered, was discovered in 1952.
Shoreham – On the east bank of the river near the bridge a Roman bath house was uncovered during sewer pipe work in 1982
Otford - First discovered in the 1930’s, serious excavation of this extensive long corridor villa situated in Otford Church Field began ten years ago. No walls remain, the materials thought to have been used for later buildings, possibly nearby Palace of Archbishop Bouchier. Floors of roman concrete found (very durable mixture of limestone heated to a high temperature mixed with sand and water. Sites in Italy show a mixture of lime and volcanic rock mixed with seawater which created a chemical reaction giving extra strength). Occasional open days.
Kemsing – Near The Pilgrims Way the Progress site uncovered in 1920 in the grounds of a bungalow. Evidence of painted plaster. Pottery from site currently exhibited at Kaleidoscope Museum, Sevenoaks Library. Other finds at Kemsing Heritage Centre.
Christina Tyler, Programme Organiser
What did the Romans do in North Kent? One answer to this question is that they left behind solid evidence of their occupation in our area. During his presentation at the April meeting of Swanley History Group, Member of the Council of Kent Archaeology Dr. Gerald Cramp informed us that the Roman period in Britain was from 43 AD to 410 AD. He described several sites of Roman villas and associated buildings which have been discovered along the Darent Valley from Dartford to Kemsing using maps, illustrations and photographs.
Lullingstone Roman Villa is a major visitor attraction and known to many of us but we were astonished to learn of many other villas, some which were considerably larger, now hidden under modern day developments and fields in the countryside. It seems that protection for sites such as the remains of domestic Roman buildings did not exist until after World War 2.
Our journey of discovery:-
Dartford - near the junction of Princes Road and Darenth Road, the east wing of a villa was discovered in 1895.
Wilmington - in Trafalgar Road, near The Orange Tree, a villa with under-floor central heating and painted walls
Darenth – a scheduled Ancient Monument, dating from 100 AD to 400 AD, of buildings 92 m long with 70 rooms, possibly two storeys. Roman tiles can be seen in three corners of nearby St. Margaret’s Church. Once a tourist attraction this site is now under a group of trees. Artefacts are held at Rochester Museum.
Horton Kirby – Evidence of a large Roman estate with a granary was uncovered in Westminster fields in 1973 and also a smaller building in the grounds of Franks Hall
Farningham – (1) A domed bathhouse with tiled floor found in 1925 during the construction of Oliver Crescent. (2) Discovered in 1948 by Lieutenant Colonel Meates this long ‘corridor’ villa with wings situated near the Darent with hypocaust under floor heating, three mosaic pavements and evidence of painted plasterwork. The skeleton of a small dog was buried in a room
Lullingstone – Brief details given as covered in a separate presentation. First discovered in 1750 when posts being erected went through a mosaic floor, the site was rediscovered in 1939 but excavation did not begin until after WW2. A nearby granary, now covered, was discovered in 1952.
Shoreham – On the east bank of the river near the bridge a Roman bath house was uncovered during sewer pipe work in 1982
Otford - First discovered in the 1930’s, serious excavation of this extensive long corridor villa situated in Otford Church Field began ten years ago. No walls remain, the materials thought to have been used for later buildings, possibly nearby Palace of Archbishop Bouchier. Floors of roman concrete found (very durable mixture of limestone heated to a high temperature mixed with sand and water. Sites in Italy show a mixture of lime and volcanic rock mixed with seawater which created a chemical reaction giving extra strength). Occasional open days.
Kemsing – Near The Pilgrims Way the Progress site uncovered in 1920 in the grounds of a bungalow. Evidence of painted plaster. Pottery from site currently exhibited at Kaleidoscope Museum, Sevenoaks Library. Other finds at Kemsing Heritage Centre.
Christina Tyler, Programme Organiser