skip to main content
The Royal Parks web site uses cookies. By browsing you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Read our cookie policy
  • Home
  • Royal Parks
  • Support
  • Media Centre
  • Careers
  • Shop
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • searchsearch
The Royal Parks menu
  • Visitor information
    • The parks after lockdown
    • Opening times and getting here
    • Accessibility information
    • Parking in Greenwich Park
    • Park regulations, legislation and policies
    • Contact Greenwich Park
    • Oak Processionary Moth
  • Map of Greenwich Park
  • Food and drink
    • The Pavilion Café
    • Park View Coffee Cabin
    • White House Cafe
  • Things to see and do
    • Upcoming events in Greenwich Park
    • Gardens and landscapes
    • National Maritime Museum
    • The Meridian Line
    • The Royal Observatory
    • Monuments, memorials and statues
    • Wildlife
    • Sports and leisure
    • Children's playgrounds
    • Ancient Greenwich
    • Recent History
  • Latest News
    • Sign up to the Greenwich Park Revealed newsletter
  • About Greenwich Park
    • History and Architecture
    • Landscape History
    • Greenwich Park in film
    • The Greenwich Park story
  • Greenwich Park Revealed
  • Donate
searchSearch
  • The Royal Parks
  • Visitor information
    arrow_drop_down
    • The parks after lockdown
    • Opening times and getting here
    • Accessibility information
    • Parking in Greenwich Park
    • Park regulations, legislation and policies
    • Contact Greenwich Park
    • Oak Processionary Moth
  • Map of Greenwich Park
  • Food and drink
    arrow_drop_down
    • The Pavilion Café
    • Park View Coffee Cabin
    • White House Cafe
  • Things to see and do
    arrow_drop_down
    • Upcoming events in Greenwich Park
    • Gardens and landscapes
    • National Maritime Museum
    • The Meridian Line
    • The Royal Observatory
    • Monuments, memorials and statues
    • Wildlife
    • Sports and leisure
    • Children's playgrounds
    • Ancient Greenwich
    • Recent History
  • Latest News
    arrow_drop_down
    • Sign up to the Greenwich Park Revealed newsletter
  • About Greenwich Park
    arrow_drop_down
    • History and Architecture
    • Landscape History
    • Greenwich Park in film
    • The Greenwich Park story
  • Greenwich Park Revealed
  •  
  • Donate
    • Home
    • Royal Parks
    • Support
    • Media Centre
    • Careers
    • Shop
    • About us
    • Contact us
  • Greenwich Park
  • 
  • Things to see and do
  • 
  • Ancient Greenwich
  • 

Roman Remains

The Roman remains site is located just past the junction of Bower Avenue and Great Cross Avenue. New signage to mark this area of historic significance was jointly funded by Friends of Greenwich Park and The Royal Parks.

On the mound stood a Roman building, thought to have been a Romano-Celtic temple, perhaps in use for much of the time of the Roman period in Britain (AD43 - AD c.410).

Temples could be used as centres for healing and pilgrimage, as well as for worship and making offerings to the gods. This site is close to Watling Street, the main road between the Kent ports and London. The temple may have been used by parties of travellers or by a local community.

This site was first excavated in 1902 when it was accidentally discovered through routine Park works. Three floor surfaces were revealed. One of these was part of a tessellated pavement (small squares of tile set in mortar).

In 1978/79, following the removal of diseased elm trees, another excavation took place. This produced further evidence of a tessellated floor and revealed the south-west corner of a building which could have been a Romano-Celtic temple.

In 1999, TV Channel Four's 'Time Team', together with Birkbeck University of London and the Museum of London, undertook a three day dig on the site to produce a programme that was broadcast in 2000. Their discoveries increased the probability that the site was that of a Roman Temple. Finds included a small part of an inscription to Jupiter and the spirits of the Emperors and a stamped tile. Evidence of buildings east of this mound suggested that the temple complex was extensive.

It is hoped that further excavations and research into this and the surrounding area will help us to define this building, and understand its place in the lives of people who lived or visited here some 2,000 years ago.

This digital reconstruction of how the Roman temple in Greenwich Park might have looked was created by Channel 4's Time Team.
This digital reconstruction of how the Roman temple in Greenwich Park might have looked was created by Channel 4's Time Team.

Excavation Findings

1902 Excavation

  • Three floor surfaces were uncovered
  • Fragments of stone inscriptions
  • Painted wall plaster
  • The right arm of a near life-size limestone statue
  • Pottery including decorated samian ware (mostly 2nd century from central Gaul)
  • More than 300 coins dating from the 1st to 5th centuries

1978/9 Excavation

  • Building with a tessellated floor
  • A metalled surface south of the building's wall

1999 Excavation

  • 101 coins from the 3rd and 4th centuries
  • A marble tablet inscribed with three lines of text
  • Stamped tile
  • Painted plaster
  • Animal bone
  • Pottery
  • Evidence of buildings east of the mound

Walking through History self guided walks

The Friends of Greenwich Park have also funded a booklet covering three self-guided walks that focus on the historic buildings and monuments in Greenwich Park.

Well-known local historian Neil Rhind provided the information on which the text is based and topographical artist Peter Kent produced the delightful sketches that guide users on their way.

Copies of Walking through History are available to personal callers at the Greenwich Park office at Blackheath Gate and the Greenwich tourist office. They can also be ordered from Friends of Greenwich Park c/o 2 Lock Chase, SE3 9HA (Tel: 020 8852 6158) at £1 a copy post free.

Friends of Greenwich Park was set up in 1992 to support Park management, encourage an informed interest in Greenwich Park, the oldest of the Royal Parks, and to raise funds for special projects. It has a membership of over 1700, including 30 corporate Friends.

Ancient Greenwich 

Queen Caroline's Bath Remains

Saxon Barrow Cemetery

Help us improve our website by providing your feedback.

Website user survey

close

search
Explore the Royal Parks
  • Hyde Park
  • Kensington Gardens
  • Richmond Park
  • Bushy Park
  • St James's Park
  • The Green Park
  • The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill
  • Greenwich Park
  • Greenwich Park Revealed - Park Restoration Project
  • Brompton Cemetery
  • Victoria Tower Gardens
  • Grosvenor Square Garden
Support the parks
  • Make a donation
  • Philanthropy and major giving
  • Leave a gift in your Will 
  • Run, cycle or swim for the parks
  • Hire The LookOut, Hyde Park
  • Become a partner
  • Corporate volunteering
  • Dedications in your local park
Media Centre
  • Press Releases
  • Royal Parks News Permit
  • Filming and photography
  • Royal Parks Image Library
  • News Archive
  • Trooping the Colour media accreditation
About us
  • Who we are
  • What we do
  • Procurement
  • Partner organisations
  • Publications
  • Friends of The Royal Parks
  • Contact us
  • Modern Slavery Statement
Connect with us
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Watch our videos on YouTube
The Royal Parks

The Royal Parks is a registered charity (No. 1172042) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales no. 10016100 (VAT No. 261 4640 19)

Copyright © The Royal Parks 2016-2022 | Head Office: The Old Police House, Hyde Park, London. W2 2UHTerms & Conditions | Privacy Policy

close

Subscribe to our eNewsletter today

Be the first to hear our latest news and read about upcoming events, learning and volunteering opportunities, fundraising and park improvement projects when you sign up to our mailing list.

Aerial view of Regents