Gadebridge Roman Villa and Baths, Hemel Hempstead

Archaeologist and Roman mosaics specialist Dr David Neal returns to Gadebridge Park for Heritage Open Days to explain what lays under our feet at the site of the Roman Villa and bath houses. A swimming pool discovered by David in 1963 is the largest one to have been found on a Roman villa site and only the large bath at Bath surpasses it in size.

Dr Neal first excavated the Villa between 1963 and 1968 after construction workers uncovered some masonry when digging the Leighton Buzzard Road. He re-excavated the site in 2000.

The Gadebridge Park Villa is thought to have been occupied for well over three hundred years. Originally, it was probably a farmstead, but after the Roman invasion of AD43 its importance as a farm near to the Roman city of Verulamium would have caused it to be extended.

A stone building with corridors and wings was erected, probably covering much of an early timber structure. By the early 3rd century additional wings had been built to create a courtyard and the bath house was further enlarged.

Between around AD300 and AD325 a large swimming pool had been added and had a considerable number of heated rooms. The water was supplied from the nearby River Gade and at the bottom of the steps there are small holes for fish to seek refuge.
It’s thought the villa was deliberately destroyed around the middle of the fourth century.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 13 September:

1100, 1200, 1400 & 1500

Location & directions

Junction of Galley Hill and Leighton Buzzard Road (the Link Road roundabout)., Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP1 3LW

Directions:

The site is adjacent to the Galley Hill/LinkRoad/Leighton Buzzard Road roundabout. What Three Words location: ///scarf.covers.holly Free car parking at Gadebridge Park car park (the former Park and Ride car park). You are advised to use the pedestrian tunnel under the Leighton Buzzard Road. The tunnel is adjacent to the car park at it’s southern end. Alternatively, there is street parking in Gadebridge Lane. Please don’t park on the busy main roads, thank you.

Contact on day:

Alan Olive

Telephone number:

+447879435485

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Please pre-book via eventbrite. Please let us know if you book a place and subsequently find you cannot attend. This will enable us to reallocate your place. Thank you.

Booking contact name:

Alan Olive

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking website:

https://shorturl.at/P1LXO

Alternative booking website:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/heritage-open-days-gadebridge-roman-villa-and-baths-tickets-1503131740499?aff=oddtdtcreator

Booking opens:

18 Aug 2025 12:00 AM

Booking closes:

10 Sep 2025 12:00 AM

Accessibility details

The villa site is on a grass meadow, on a slight incline and open to the elements. Please wear stout footwear and dress appropriately for the weather. Access to the site may require walking over a short but step incline. Unfortunately the nearest toilet facilities are some distance away.

Additional information

Enjoy your visit!

Max no of people per tour:

20

Est. tour duration:

1 hour(s) 0 minute(s)

Back to results