Video: Roman site re-opens after revamp

4:48pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008

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A ROMAN villa has re-opened following a year-long refurbishment costing £1.3m.

More than 100 people attended English Heritage's opening of Lullingstone Roman Villa, Lullingstone Lane, Eynsford, today (July 23).

Improvements to visitor amenities were made during the revamp including a new shop, a tea bar and an education room for schoolchildren.

Other new features include a light and sound show which illuminates the building while a voice describes the site's history.

Around 240 artifacts are now on public display and some of these have not been seen since their excavation in the 1950s.

These include the skeleton of a fourth-century man who used to live there, and the remains of a board game, glass bottles and cutlery which belonged to him.

Chairman of English Heritage, Lord Bruce-Lockhart, said: "This very exciting development will not only greatly enhance a visit to this outstanding Roman villa but should help to boost visitor numbers."