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Monday 10am - 5pm Tuesday 10am - 5pm Wednesday 10am - 5pm Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday 10am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday 10am - 5pm

Canterbury Roman Museum

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Canterbury Roman Museum

Canterbury Roman Museum provides a fascinating insight into life in Roman Britain.

Explore Canterbury’s ancient history, wander through the marketplace and discover hidden treasures as you step back, and down, to the streets of Roman Canterbury. Canterbury Roman Museum’s story began on what appeared to be a rather unremarkable day in 1868. When workmen, digging trenches for a new drainage system, reached eight feet below street level they unwittingly unearthed a beautifully pres

erved Roman floor mosaic. Fast-forward to the aftermath of the Second World War, when excavations began under the cellars of shops destroyed by bombing, and another startling discovery was made. Archaeologists had just revealed an under-floor heating system, wall paintings, and a dazzling mosaic corridor. The site was no longer an isolated floor mosaic, but the remains of a very large, and no doubt very costly, Roman Town House. Over time a museum arose to encompass the remains and preserve what is now known to be one of the UK’s only remaining in situ Roman pavement mosaics and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Canterbury Roman Museum is Kent’s only Roman Museum; providing a fascinating and family-friendly insight into life in Roman Britain. Visitors can explore Canterbury’s history, wander through the marketplace and discover hidden treasures as they step back, and down, to the streets of Roman Canterbury…

09/03/2026

🐍 Sssssssooooo nice right?

This piece of jewelry would likely have been worn around the wrist or upper arm.

Designs like this one were very popular in the Roman Empire, snakes symbolized fertility and were believed to ward off evil!

⚕ The Romans also associated snakes with Asclepius, god of medicine and healing who is often depicted carrying a staff with a snake wrapped around it.

📍 Roman Marketplace, Canterbury Roman Museum

04/03/2026

ℹ Visitor notice: The museum visitor lift has been fixed and is now accessible again.

➡ To plan a visit or find out more about the museum please visit our website.

03/03/2026

👀 Take a closer look!

A beautiful Samian ware bowl. A lot of Samian ware was imported into Roman Britain but such was it's popularity that local makers would replicate designs like this too.

This example from the museum is decorated with human figures and a horse framed by decorative borders. Decorative Samian ware like this would have been made from a mould, the more elaborate the decoration, the more costly it may would have been.

🌊 During the import of Samian pottery, some ships were wrecked off the north Kent coast and as a result hundreds of complete pots have been dredged up by fishermen off Whitstable and Herne Bay. You can find several examples in the museum!

25/02/2026

❗️Accessibility notice, please read before visiting: The museum visitor lift is currently out of service. Repairs are underway and we are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible. Apologies for any inconvenience. Please check our website for updates.

20/02/2026

👋 Half Term can be expensive - Remember Kids Go Free* this Half Term at Canterbury Roman Museum!

From making mosaics to minting coins there’s lots to do whilst you explore the museum. Visit our profile to find out more.

*Kids Go Free: Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 February 2026 (2 kids go free per paying adult)

12/02/2026

🏛️ Visit Roman Canterbury!

Kids Go Free all Half Term at Canterbury Roman Museum.

Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 February 2026 (2 kids go free per paying adult)

🪙 Explore the museum and mint your own Roman coin! (£3.50 per coin)

24/01/2026

🧺 Come and shop at the Roman marketplace with us! What do you need?

16/01/2026

🎒 Explore the museum with us using a SEND family backpack!

Made to support visitors who may need some sensory support of other ways to explore the museum.

📍 Available to borrow when visiting Canterbury Roman Museum

11/12/2025

✨ At this time of year, Romans across the empire came together for Saturnalia! A week of feasting, gift-giving, candle-lighting, games and role reversals. It was a moment for joy, generosity, and a welcome break from everyday routines.

🌲 Many of these Roman traditions may feel surprisingly familiar. Exchanging gifts, decorating with greenery, gathering for large meals, and sharing time with loved ones are customs that continue in many winter celebrations today.

👋 Join us at the Canterbury Roman Museum as we explore how Saturnalia brought light, laughter and community to ancient Canterbury and how its echoes can still be felt in the festive season we celebrate now.

05/12/2025

🌲It’s nearly Saturnalia!

Surprise someone this year with an unusual festive greeting.

📯 ‘Io Saturnalia!’

Celebrated by the Romans in December, Saturnalia was the most popular of Roman festivals. It was a celebration dedicated to Saturn, god of agriculture, liberation, renewal, plenty and wealth (he had quite a lot to be getting on with!)

It was a ‘topsy turvy’ celebration with a carnival like atmosphere. It involved role reversal, gift giving and bad poetry!

✉️ Pick up your pack from the museum and send a Saturnalia card, complete with bad poetry to someone special this year.

£1.50 for a Saturnalia card kit

£5 for a Saturnalia Card kit with a Roman Museum colour pencil tube

02/12/2025

🔔 Museum opening hours over the Christmas period:

Wednesday 24 December 2025: 10:00am to 4:00pm
Thursday 25 December 2025: Closed
Friday 26 December 2025: Closed
Wednesday 31 December 2025: 10:00am to 4:00pm

Thursday 1 January 2026: Closed

👋 We look forward to welcoming you!

01/12/2025

Three facts about Roman Mosaics

Address

Longmarket, 11A Butchery Lane
Canterbury
CT12JR

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 5pm
Tuesday	10am - 5pm
Wednesday	10am - 5pm
Thursday	10am - 5pm
Friday	10am - 5pm
Saturday	10am - 5pm
Sunday	10am - 5pm

Telephone

+441227785575

Website

https://canterburymuseums.co.uk/canterbury-roman-museum/

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Our Story

Canterbury Roman Museum’s story began on what appeared to be a rather unremarkable day in 1868. When workmen, digging trenches for a new drainage system, reached eight feet below street level they unwittingly unearthed a beautifully preserved Roman floor mosaic. Fast-forward to the aftermath of the Second World War, when excavations began under the cellars of shops destroyed by bombing, and another startling discovery was made. Archaeologists had just revealed an under-floor heating system, wall paintings, and a dazzling mosaic corridor. The site was no longer an isolated floor mosaic, but the remains of a very large, and no doubt very costly, Roman Town House. Over time a museum arose to encompass the remains and preserve what is now known to be one of the UK’s only remaining in situ Roman pavement mosaics and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Canterbury Roman Museum is Kent’s only Roman Museum; providing a fascinating and family-friendly insight into life in Roman Britain. Visitors can explore Canterbury’s history, wander through the marketplace and discover hidden treasures as they step back, and down, to the streets of Roman Canterbury… Please note the Roman Museum will be closed from the 26th November to approximately the 10th December for refurbishment. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.