There is evidence of Roman occupation at the Fishbourne site from around AD43. First as a simple military staging post, but by around AD 100, the site had developed to an impressive palace with over a hundred rooms.
With a footprint of over 10 acres, it is one of the largest roman residences in northern europe. Most of the rooms had beautiful mosaic floors, a number of which can still be seen today. Some of the rooms had hypocausts or under floor heating. The building was arranged with four wings framing a large formal garden.
Evidence has been found of the original plantings and the original garden recreated. It is thought the palace may have been the residence of a local pro-roman British chief, possibly Cogidubnus. None of the above ground building exists today, but the palace is worth visiting for the impressive mosaics and recreated gardens. There is also a museum that displays many of the finds from the site.
Fishbourne Roman Palace slideshow
Visiting Fishbourne
