Historic Roman house set to reopen to public

Painted plaster walls and underfloor heating were among the findings when the house was discovered

A Roman house built nearly 2,000 years ago is set to reopen to the public in a Kent town this summer.

The monument in Dover was constructed in about AD200 and formed part of a former military site.

Painted plaster walls and underfloor heating were among the findings when the house was discovered in 1970.

A Dover District Council (DDC) spokesperson said the opening of the Roman Painted House would be "another key catalyst" in the regeneration of the town.

The house is part of a "significant set of archaeological remains" in the town centre, which includes a Roman bath house, according to DDC.

The site was originally called Dubris, which is the Latin name for Dover.

Remedial work on the area was approved by the council cabinet.

A spokesperson for the Roman Painted House Trust said: "There have already been exciting developments with eminent Kent Romanists and archaeologists to re-examine the story of the house and the development of Roman Dover."

Kevin Mills, DDC leader, said it would bring "increased footfall and spend to the town, as we continue to work with partners to make the area a great place to live, work, visit, learn and invest".

The local authority aims to open the historic site to the public for free by the end of July.

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