Orpington
Crofton Roman villa

In 1926, local workmen were constructing driveways for the new council offices when they chanced upon a discovery of ancient relics and stone works. The excavation that followed unearthed a Roman villa which dated back to AD140. The excavation was never completed and the site was left to become overgrown. It was not until 1988 that the Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit took up the site and excavated as much as they could. Working alongside Bromley Council, they managed to make the site into what it is today.

From records and investigations, it is apparent that the villa was in use and extensively altered until about AD400 and that it was the centre of a farming estate of about 500 acres. It is estimated that it had at least 20 rooms.

• Guided talks by archaeologists.
• A taped commentary about the villa.
• A graphic display of the 1988 excavations.
• A 'Hands on' area where actual finds can be examined.
• Roman soldiers 'rubbings'. Small figures of various ranks of Roman soldier
  (10p charge per rubbing)
  
• Two larger brasses of a Roman auxiliary and gladiator (50p)
• Mosaic making. Trays with coloured 'tesserae' and patterns for mosaic making.
• Booklets for children, including activity pictures to lour.
• Roman games.
• Dressing up as Romans.