Monument record 2795 - Apethorpe Roman villa

Site of a Roman courtyard villa discovered in 1859, in all about 230ft by 240ft. Principal block on north side with hypocausts, geometric mosaics, etc. Baths at S end of E wing, well in middle of courtyard. Two small uninscribed house-altars were found. One coin of Septimus Serverus, the remainder Constantinian, possibly indicating the date of the main phase of the villa. In successive phases of building there appears to have been at least one aisled building in the same position relative to a winged corridor house at Ikleton. The villa combines a dwelling house with an aisled house.

{1} Excavation of Romano-British villa discovered in 1859. Courtyard plan c.230ft x 240ft. Hypocausts and geometric mosaics, baths and wells. Finds included part of a stone column, stone roofing slates, flue tiles, tiles, Romano-British pottery including samian and colour-coated ware, and glass. Also a lead weight, animal bones, two uninscribed house laricum altars. Coins of Septimus severus and Constantinian. Mosaic pavement fragments. The finds were later given to Northampton Museum by G.L.Gibson. A building was erected over the site, but this was vandalised and subsequently demolished. Only a thin scatter of tile and brick can now be traced.

{2} It was discovered and partly excavated in 1859 and consisted of a group of buildings arranged round a central courtyard. The site measured approximately 80 m. by 80 m. with the main block lying on the N. side of the courtyard. Only five rooms and part of a corridor were discovered although much else must still survive. One room had a hypocaust, two others mosaic pavements, one of unusual design, and another a plaster floor painted with a linear pattern. On the W. side of the courtyard a large rectangular building, sub-divided into a number of small rooms, was revealed, while on the E., parts of a bath block and some indeterminate walling were found. Finds included part of a stone column, Collyweston roof slates, flue tiles, samian and Nene Valley wares, glass, a lead weight and animal bones. Two small altars were also discovered. Most of the coins were 4th-century. Includes plan of excavated remains;

{10} The excavation of a Roman villa found near Apethorpe in 1859 was halted by the death of the 11th Earl of Westmorland. A plan shows the courtyard layout and the position of the mosaic floor as well as labels for the cold plunging bath, hypocaust and dressing room.

{11} The pavement is now preserved in Lord Westmorland's park.

{12} Geophysical survey was undertaken in the area around the wood. An area of increased noise marked the location of building remains on the eastern side with a corresponding scatter of stone and tile in this location. A strong anomlay on the western side of the wood is characteristic of a strongly magnetic burnt clay structure such as a kiln.

{13} Site of villa covered by spinney. One Romano-British sherd nearby in thick corn. Only the north-west of the parish was searched for pre-medieval sites.

{14} Included in a list and map of unit system villas. In successive phases of building there appears to have been at least one aisled building in the same position relative to a winged corridor house at Ikleton. The villa combines a dwelling house with an aisled house.

{15} NH 3 Listed as the site of a Roman villa.

{16} It is evident that the area surrounding Apethorpe Hall retains many features of historical significance and there is good evidence for a complex multi-period pattern of medieval settlement and land use. The earliest fragments of this include the site of a substantial Roman villa and hints of an attendant field system.

{17} A substantial building erected over the principal block of this (shown on OS 25" plan) has been entered and the pavement and hypocaust destroyed by vandalism; there has also been much haphazard digging of the site and a wide scatter of roofing tiles, fragmentary pottery, brick and general debris is evident. There are no surveyable remains.

{18} The building noted in the report of 1962 has now been demolished and removed, subsequently cattle have ranged the site; only a thin scatter of Roman tile and brick can now be traced in the pasture.

{19} A photographic copy of a manuscript plan of the villa, dated 4th May 1859, was made by RCHME in August 1997.

{22} Pollen Analysis from the area around the site of the Roman villa.

<1> 1878, The Archaeological Journal (35), p.269 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN15197.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.8/Site 3 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77379.

<3> 1958, OS 6 INCH MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN58067.

<4> Northampton Museum Topographical Index, (unchecked) (Index). SNN1470.

<5> Roach Smith C., 1868, Collectanea Antiqua, p.250 (unchecked) (Series). SNN54802.

<6> The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.191-92 (unchecked) (Series). SNN10247.

<7> 1859, Associated Architectural Societies Reports, p.97-107 (unchecked) (Series). SNN5018.

<8> Woodfield P., 1978, Roman Architectural Masonry From Northamptonshire, 13/85 (Article). SNN101140.

<9> 1859, The Stamford Mercury, 15/4 + 27/5 + 2/9 (Newspaper cuttings). SNN43732.

<10> Morrison, K., 2016, Apethorpe: The Story of an English Country House (Book). SNN110397.

<11> George T.J., 1904, An Archaeological Survey of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Index). SNN10170.

<12> Bartlett, A., 1979, Ancient Monuments Laboratory Report: Geophysics G19/79 Apethorpe, Northants, G19/79 (checked) (Report). SNN46598.

<13> Hall D.N., 1960-1999, Rockingham Forest Project: Archaeological Sites Recorded by David Hall, Apethorpe/Site 1 (Database). SNN102279.

<14> Todd, M. (Ed.), 1978, Studies In The Romano-British Villa, p. 119, 128, 168 and 174 (Book). SNN75204.

<15> Scott, E., 1993, A gazetteer of Roman villas in Britain, p. 139, NH 3 (Monograph). SNN110345.

<16> McOmish, D, Barber, M, & Grady, D, 2005, Landscape Assessment at Apethorpe Hall, Northamptonshire, p. 97-107 (Report). SNN113427.

<17> Colquhoun, FD, 1962, Field Investigators Comments, F1 FDC 01-MAY-1962 (Note). SNN111652.

<18> Baird, J., 1970, Field investigators comments, F2 JB 04-JUN-1970 (Notes). SNN110341.

<19> 1859, Foundations of Roman Buildings, Apethorpe Park, Northamptonshire (Plan). SNN114916.

<20> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire I (North-East), 890170 (Archive). SNN113295.

<21> Historic England, COURTYARD VILLA DISC.1859.VCH NN/1/ FIG 20 LARGER MOSAIC, BB74/00981 (Archive). SNN114917.

<22> Sparks & Lambert, Post-Glacial Deposits at Apethorpe, p. 303-4 (Article). SNN114915.

<23> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, TL09SW11 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

Record last edited

Jun 16 2025 1:55PM