Roman Painted House reopens after refurbishment

Councillor Charlotte Zosseder dressed in a toga for the Painted House's relaunch

Kent's Roman Painted House has reopened to the public after Dover District Council took back possession and refurbished the site.

The 2,000-year-old attraction is believed to be part of a bathhouse complex in the town, some of which is still to be unearthed.

It was discovered in the 1970s and previously run by the Dover Roman Painted House Trust, but has been closed for the last year.

A review of its condition was carried out in 2023 and £85,000 of works have been completed including new electrics, new toilets, updated display cabinets and interpretation boards.

Charlotte Zosseder, the council's portfolio holder for community and corporate property, said: “When I first came in here the light was yellow and it was a bit of a sad state but even so you could see the potential.

“Then I came in and saw the renovations and the lights were bright, the interpretation is clear, we have new safety glass in the cabinets and it was really exciting.”

The Roman Painted House is one of three council-owned and operated attractions in the town alongside the Dover Museum & Bronze Age Boat Gallery, and the Dover Maison Dieu which is nearing the end of its own transformation.

The Roman Painted House is thought to be nearly 2,000 years old

Council leader Kevin Mills said: "We have a responsibility not just to the building but to the residents of Dover.

"It's part of the heritage of Dover and it's only right that we have invested the money to bring it back up to an attraction and a place you want to go to."

Kevin Mills said the Painted House was part of the town's heritage

Steve Timms, who has been a trustee of the attraction since 2017, said these were the "best Roman painted walls this side of the Alps”.

“Because there is underfloor heating this building was for moneyed people that came off the boat from Calais, cold, wet and damp and wanted somewhere to sleep for the night. I think this could have been a hotel," he added.

Trustee Steve Timms believes the building could have been a Roman hotel

The Roman Painted House is free to enter and opens every Saturday until the end of November. It will reopen next February.