CONTENTS:
Open from 1st April to 30th October 2009, 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 for children.
Schools are cordially invited to visit the Crofton Roman Villa.
Facilities are designed to meet the National Curriculam and are targeted at Key Stage 2.
The very popular Roman Villa Activity Workshops are available throughout the opening season.
Also in October a new Life in Roman Britain week is on offer. We do hope that your school will join in. Please read in for further details!
BOOKING A SCHOOL VISIT.
For further information and to book a visit please contact:
Charge: £2.50 per child (teachers and helpers free).
Duration: 2 hours. With Kent Archaeological Unit staff.
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.
Available: Monday 5th to Friday 9th October
Charge: £3.00 per child (teachers and helpers free).
Duration: 2 hours.
Minimum number of pupils 25, and maximum 30.
With three Kent Archaaelogical Unit staff.
- Introduction: AD43 the Roman Soldiers arrive:
- their armour and weapons, with six children dressing up as Roman soldiers, who will be awarded military diplomas.
- The Roman villa house:
- an archaeologist describes the discovery of the site, the excavations and the villa-house remains.
- make a Roman mosaic pattern:
- Unit staff briefly outline how the Romans made mosaics, followed by mosaic making with individual trays, coloured 'tesserae' and Roman patterns to follow.
- Life on the Roman villa:
- Livia, a Roman lady, describes life on the farm and in the house, with Roman artefacts and replica domestic objects.
- Be like an archaeologist:
- handling, drawing and labelling Roman artefacts.
- Roman children:
- the birth of a baby, playing games, a Roman lesson, dressing up as Roman children and getting married (4 children will be dressde up).
For further information and to book a visit, please contact:
11 Pickhurst Park, Bromley, BR2 0UE
Telephone: 0780 513 8465.
Email: croftonromanvilla@ntlworld.com
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.
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 either £1 each (two postcards, an activity booklet, a logo pen and pencil) or £2 each (as above plus a relica Roman coin and a second activity booklet).
Free Transport is available for Greater London schools using public buses or tramlink. Telephone 020 7918 3954 or email schoolparty@tfl.gov.uk.
If your school is unable to make a class visit (or even if you do!), 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 4.30pm.
Facilities and activities are designed for children undertaking school history projects. These include graphic displays on Roman life -- the villa, food, clothes, 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.