Behind the Scenes Tours at Chedworth Roman Villa

The Roman walls need winter care too

Chedworth's mosaics and hypocausts are part of a much larger conservation job. These one-hour tours explain how the National Trust protects the Roman remains, including the pilae of the underfloor heating system from freeze-thaw damage and the ancient walls with different types of capping.

You will also hear how specialist brushes and precision vacuums clean the mosaics, and how the site is prepared for winter. A Roman wall-plaster discovery in the cold plunge is another focus, with the team explaining how they plan to protect it and what it can tell us about life at Chedworth.

Tours run at noon each day from 2 to 8 November, with limited spaces, so arrive early and ask for a tour token. The villa is reached by narrow lanes and has uneven surfaces, so follow the brown Roman Villa signs from the A429; only assistance dogs are permitted.

Booking is not needed. The tour is free, but normal admission to Chedworth Roman Villa applies.

Monday 2 to Sunday 8 November 2026 · Chedworth Roman Villa, Yanworth, near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 3LJ · 12pm to 1pm daily