Roman mosaic floor on display after refurbishments

The remains of one of the largest villas in Roman Britain can be viewed during a series of special open days following renovations to the roof that keeps its historic mosaics safe.

North Leigh Roman Villa in Oxfordshire, which has a near complete mosaic floor, underwent conservation work in 2024 following a donation from the Michael Bishop Foundation to English Heritage.

The 200-year-old Custodian's Cottage has been refurbished, and the roof of the mosaic building has been replaced.

Volunteers said the "essential work" had "safeguarded the mosaics for future decades and generations".

Conservators also repaired the damaged stonework of the exposed northwest part of the villa using lime mortar, replacing previous failed attempts that used cement.

Other works, including the return of more than a tonne of dislodged stone to the walls in the Bath House, and replacing gravel floors, has reversed "half a century of dilapidations and weather damage to the remains", North Leigh Roman Villa Volunteers said.

The villa was one of the largest in Roman Britain with a history of occupation spanning five centuries.

By the early 4th Century it included three bath suites, 16 mosaic floors and 11 rooms with under-floor heating.

The ruins of the villa were excavated in 1813, but within a week most of its mosaic floor was stolen by locals.

But what remains are the only mosaics in Oxfordshire still found in their original location.

They were reopened to the public in 2019 for the first time in almost 30 years and will open on certain weekends later in the year from May to September.

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