About
The Roman Painted House is one of Britain's finest Roman buildings, discovered accidentally in 1970 during construction work. Built around AD 200 as an official hotel (mansio) for travelers using the Roman port of Dubris (Dover), it features remarkably preserved wall paintings - the most extensive Roman wall decorations still in situ north of the Alps.
Visitors can see vivid painted plaster panels showing Bacchus worship, geometric designs in green, red, yellow, and black, and the remains of an underfloor heating system (hypocaust).
This hidden gem offers a rare glimpse into Roman domestic life 1,800 years ago.
Categories:
Annual Visitors (2019)
8,500
Plan Your Visit
⏱️ Recommended Visit Duration
📅 Best Times to Visit
Quietest: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Busiest: Saturday, Sunday
💡 Weekday afternoons. Combine with Dover Castle and Dover Museum.
💡 Visitor Tips
- Small intimate museum - allow 30-45 minutes
- Photography allowed but no flash to protect ancient wall paintings
- Combine with Dover Castle and Dover Museum for full Roman-to-medieval Dover experience
- Knowledgeable staff happy to answer questions about Roman Dover
- Cash preferred for admission
- Only open April-September - check website before visiting
Highlights
The Painted Wall Plaster
Over 400 square feet of original Roman wall paintings dating from AD 200, showing vivid green, red, yellow, and black geometric panels and Bacchic scenes. The most extensive Roman wall decorations still in situ north of the Alps.
The Hypocaust (Underfloor Heating)
Remarkably preserved Roman underfloor heating system with original tile stacks (pilae) supporting the raised floor. Shows Roman engineering ingenuity for heating buildings.
The Bacchus Panels
Painted panels showing vine scrolls and Bacchic imagery associated with wine god Bacchus, suggesting the building's function as a hospitality venue.
The Shore Fort Ditch
Remains of massive defensive ditch from the later Saxon Shore Fort (c. AD 270) that cut through the painted house, showing Roman Britain's changing military needs.
Collections
The Roman Painted House holds in situ archaeological remains from circa AD 200 including the wall paintings, hypocaust system, and building foundations. Collections include Roman pottery fragments, coins, building materials (tiles, bricks, mortar), painted plaster fragments not on display, small finds from excavations, and photographic archive of the 1970 discovery and conservation work.
The building itself is the primary artifact - one of Britain's most important Roman buildings with the finest surviving wall paintings.
The Painted House In Situ
Original Roman building circa AD 200 with wall paintings and hypocaust preserved where discovered
📍 Main site
Discovering Roman Dover
Interpretation panels explaining the building, wall paintings, and Roman port of Dubris
📍 Throughout museum
The Shore Fort Story
How the later Saxon Shore Fort defensive ditch cut through the painted house around AD 270
📍 North wall area
Themes
Time Periods
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.