Name: Jordan Hill Roman Temple
Rating: 5.0

Jordan Hill Roman Temple

Bowleaze Coveway, Weymouth, Dorset DT3 6PL, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Jordan Hill Roman Temple The remains of this Romano-Celtic temple, probably built during the 4th century AD, lie at the top of a hill on the South Dorset Downs, with fine views inland and out across Weymouth Bay.

When the armies of the Emperor Claudius invaded Britain in AD 43, the native population consisted of a number of British tribes. The southern tribes shared a common Celtic culture and were led by chieftains whose families may have formed a hereditary aristocracy, based in hillforts like Maiden Castle, 11km (7 miles) to the north of Weymouth.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

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Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of Jordan Hill Roman Temple: The remains of this Romano-Celtic temple, probably built during the 4th century AD, lie at the top of a hill on the South Dorset Downs, with fine views inland and out across Weymouth Bay.
When the armies of the Emperor Claudius invaded Britain in AD 43, the native population consisted of a number of British tribes. The southern tribes shared a common Celtic culture and were led by chieftains whose families may have formed a hereditary aristocracy, based in hillforts like Maiden Castle, 11km (7 miles) to the north of Weymouth.
The Romans did not seek to disrupt this society. However, they set new standards of affluence and behaviour which the native nobility probably adopted as a sign of their status. The result was a version of the Roman way of life, with its roads, towns and country estates, adapted to the native culture.
The Jordan Hill site belongs to the end of the period of Roman occupation, when much of the economic structure was beginning to fragment, bringing changes to the social structure as well. It was apparently a small temple of a type common in Roman Britain: symmetrical in plan, with a central sanctuary or cella rising above a low columned portico which surrounded it on all four sides.
Excavations: The temple was excavated in the 19th century and again in 1931, when the bases of four of the portico columns were located. The capital (head) and base of a fifth column were found loose near the north wall of the cella, and these can be seen in Dorchester Museum.
Archaeologists found a well-like pit beneath the south-east corner of the sanctuary wall, about 4 metres (13 feet) deep and carefully lined with old roofing slabs. The pit contained 16 layers of ash and charcoal, alternating with layers of roofing slabs: between each of these were the bones of a bird and a small coin. At the bottom was a stone cist containing two urns, a sword and a spearhead. One of the coins dated from the reign of the Emperor Theodosius I (AD 379–95).
Pits like this, used for ritual offerings, are a well-known feature of prehistoric Celtic religious sites throughout Europe, and suggest that many of the old pagan cults survived within the Roman Empire under a new guise, even after Christianity had become the official religion. Temples of this kind are known as Romano-Celtic because they appear to show a fusion of Celtic and classical religions.
Description: Surrounding the temple was a large walled enclosure (not now accessible to visitors) about 30 metres (100 feet) square. Within this were found many animal bones and more 4th century coins.

Facilities

Parking: Roadside parking on Bowleaze Coveway a few hundred metres from the site.
Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Free Entry.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/jordan-hill-roman-temple/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open any reasonable time during daylight hours.

Address: Bowleaze Coveway, Weymouth, Dorset DT3 6PL, UK

Post Code: DT3 6PL

Council: Dorset

County: Dorset

Road Access: Located 2 miles / 3 km NE of Weymouth, off A353.
Bus Access: The nearest bus stop is Overcombe Corner, 0.4 mile / 0.6 km from the Temple. The following services run from Weymouth (King’s Statue) and stop at Overcombe Corner; First Bus 4 to Preston, Damory Coaches Bus 5 to Dorchester, First Bus 13 to Waterside Holiday Park, Morebus 30 to Swanage, Damory Coaches Bus CR8 to Dorchester and First Bus X54 to Wareham.
Train Access: Weymouth Station (2 miles / 3 km). Buses depart from Weymouth King’s Statue Bus Stops. Alternatively Dorchester (7 miles / 11 km) or Wool (11 miles / 17 km).
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: Roadside parking on Bowleaze Coveway a few hundred metres from the site.