CONTENTS:
Open from 2nd April to 31st October 2008, this is the only Roman Villa in Greater London open to schools.
Ten rooms of this Roman villa-house are on view, with the remains of an extensive hypocaust system (under-floor central heating) in five rooms and evidence of opus signinum (concrete) and tessellated (tiled) floors. With graphic displays, models, Touch Table exhibit and activities.
Schools are cordially invited to visit the Crofton Roman Villa. Facilities are designed to meet the National Curriculam and include Roman Villa Activity Workshops and a Life in Roman Britain Re-enactment week. These are targeted at Key Stage 2.
Please read on for further details
IMPORTANT! BOOKING A SCHOOL VISIT.
The telephone number for booking and information is 020 8460 1442 (Mondays to Fridays, 8.30am to 5.30pm)
Duration: 2 hours. With Kent Archaeological Unit staff.
Cost: £2.50 per child (teachers and helpers free).
Numbers: minimum 20 pupils -- maximum 60 pupils.
Available on: Wednesdays and Fridays.
Thursdays: Bromley Borough schools only.
Workshops consist of two talks, each followed by activities, when the children divide into smaller groups (up to 15 children).
- The Roman villa-house
- An archaeologist describes the discovery and excavation of the villa and explains the remains of the house -- its walls, floors, and hypocaust (central heating) and its end in circa AD410.
- Life in the Roman villa
- A second session covers life on the farm and in the house, with Roman artefacts and replica Roman domestic objects, including pottery and jewellery. Four children are dressed as Romans -- a little girl, a married lady, a farm boy and a senator.
- Handling and Drawing Roman Artefacts Activity
- Each child has a finds tray of Roman artefacts with identifcation and handling, followed by drawing and labelling (drawings are taken back to school).
- Mosaic Making Activity
- Unit staff briefly outline how the Romans made mosaics, followed by mosaic making with individual trays, coloured 'tesserae' and Roman patterns to follow.
- 'Brass Rubbing' Activity
- rubbing of figures of Roman soldiers, Julius Caesar and gladiators (14 centimetres high) with a brief written description about figures and instructions how to 'rub' given by Unit staff (rubbings are taken back to school).
Teacher/adult helpers are asked to help during the activity sessions.
This is a very full 2-hour programme so late arrival may result in the activities having to be curtailed.
Duration: 45 minutes.
Cost: 70p per child (teachers and helpers free).
Available On: Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Consists of:
- The villa-house:
- a short talk on the villa house.
- 'Brass Rubbing':
- additional charge of 10p per child.
- Sample work-sheets:
- are provided for schools to copy as required.
Teacher and adult helpers from the school are asked to help with supervision.
Duration: 2 hours.
Cost: £3.00 per child (teachers and helpers free).
Available: Monday 6th October to Friday 10th October
With Roman soldier, Roman lady and two Kent Unit staff.
- The life of a Roman soldier:
- demonstrations by a Roman soldier -- his armour and weapons, fighting in the Roman army, and his daily life. With replica armour and weapons.
- The Roman villa house:
- an archaeologist describes the discovery of the site, the excavations and the villa-house remains.
- Life in the Roman villa:
- Livia, a Roman lady, describes her life, with Roman and replica domestic objects.
- Handling, drawing and labelling:
- of Roman artefacts (drawings are taken back to school).
Events for Children.
Activity days and a re-enactment event are held for children in the holidays.
See the '2008 Villa Events' page for more details.
We do hope that your school will visit the Crofton Roman Villa. For further information and to book a visit, please contact:
Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit,11 Penshurst Green, Bromley, BR2 9DG
Telephone: 020 8460 1442
During your visit postcards, activity booklets and souvenirs are on sale at the Villa shop. (most items are £1.50 or under).
To save time during your visit 'Roman' packs can be ordered at the time of booking. Packs cost £1 each and include two postcards, an activity booklet and logo pen and pencil and are collected on day of visit.
Teachers can preview the Villa during normal opening hours (April to October -- Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am to 4.30pm, and Sundays 2pm to 4.30pm) free of charge.
If you would like a full-day visit, your Villa visit can combine with a visit to Bromley Borough Museum, the Priory, Church Hill, Orpington, booked directly with the Museum. Contact the Curator on 01689 873826.
Free Transport is available for Greater London schools using public buses or tramlink. Telephone 020 7918 3954 or email schoolparty@tfl.gov.uk.
If the school is unable to make a class visit, children and families are welcome to visit during normal opening hours: April to October, Wednesdays, Fridays, Bank Holiday Mondays -- 10am to 5pm and Sunday 2pm to 5pm.
Facilities,activities and booklets and postcards for sale are designed for children undertaking school history projects. These include graphic displays on Roman life -- the villa, food and kitchen, clothes and fashions, boys and girls, toys and games, mosaics and soldiers. Activities include Roman games, dressing up, brass rubbing and mosaic making. Special events for children are held in the holidays. Please do send for leaflets for your class.