Keynsham

The market town of Keynsham is only six miles from the Roman city of Bath with its many historical attractions and about the same distance from the vibrant city of Bristol with its large shopping gallery and waterfront area with plenty of cafe/bars and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

The area is rich in historic sites, old churches, noted buildings and heritage enough to satisfy even an enthusiast. It is here that you will find the remains of the the Keynsham Roman Palace. It is one of the most impressive found in Britain. Its corridors form a rectangle of 209 by 202 feet, which at the time of discovery made it the largest villa found in the country. Many of its floors were adorned with fine mosaics depicting mythological scenes alongside highly original decorative patterns. In 1877 the churchwardens of Keynsham purchased a piece of land for a cemetery. Due to a complaint from a neighbouring landowner a public order was immediately placed on the site forbidding interments. This unintentionally saved the villa from almost complete destruction. The order was eventually lifted and in 1920 the gravediggers moved in again.

It was quite by chance that a year later Dom Ethelbert Horne heard about the difficulty of digging in the graveyard due to the existence of 'old floors that had to be bumped through' He quickly visited the site in time to witness the sexton destroying a flight of Roman steps. What with the digging and the building of a road over almost the entire southern section of the villa, it is remarkable that anything has survived at all.

Between 1922-24 Arthur Bulleid and Dom Ethelbert Horne carried out extensive excavations of the remaining areas to reveal evidence of a Roman palace including a collection of mosaic reception rooms along the west wing. This site is a must for any visitor and although not all of it is accessible, the trip will most definitely be worth it.

For nature lovers, the area offers a veritable feast for the senses with scenic walks, nature reserves, fishing lakes, golf courses, riding schools and so much more. No day here need be devoid of activity unless you choose it to be and on those days, a tranquil stroll on the riverbank can be one of the most memorable.