Stay updated with the latest news and posts from Brading Roman Villa! Explore our posts to discover unique insights into Roman life in Britain.
News
Mosaic Wight Spirit by Guy Portelli Finds a New Home at Brading Roman Villa
26 August 2026
There is something fitting about seeing a new mosaic sitting alongside the ancient mosaics of Brading Roman Villa. Wight Spirit, created by sculptor Guy Portelli, brings together two very different chapters of Isle of Wight history. The impressive 9ft by 5ft glass mosaic is inspired by the original Roman mosaics at the villa. It features the handprints of 100 musicians and key figures connected with the Isle of Wight festivals between 1968 and 1970. Those handprints give the artwork a personal connection to the people who helped make the Island’s festivals part of music history. Guy Portelli, born in Durban in...
News
Bright Brown Chartered Accountants Sponsor Museum Guidebook
4 August 2026
Brading Roman Villa is delighted to thank Bright Brown Chartered Accountants for their generous sponsorship in supporting the publication of its visitor guidebook. The support from Bright Brown has helped ensure that visitors can continue to enjoy a beautifully presented and informative guide exploring the Villa’s remarkable history, archaeological discoveries, and nationally significant Roman mosaics. The guidebook provides visitors with a fascinating insight into life at Brading Roman Villa, helping people of all ages discover more about this unique and important Roman site. Bella Janson, Chair of Trustees at Brading Roman Villa, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Bright Brown Chartered Accountants for their generous sponsorship...
News
£10,000 Grant to Uncover Hidden Stories of Brading Roman Villa
16 June 2026
Brading Roman Villa has secured £10,000 funding through Creative Island, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, for an exciting new community heritage project: Uncovering Hidden Stories of Brading Roman Villa. Brading Roman Villa’s project will collect oral histories from local people who took part in community archaeological investigations at the site in the 21st century. These stories will be presented in a new exhibition, hosted both digitally and at the museum, at Brading Roman Villa itself. A suite of workshops will give a new generation the chance to try non-invasive archaeological methods on...
News
Brading Roman Villa to Benefit from £12.6 Million Museum Funding Boost
12 May 2026
Brading Roman Villa is among the local museums and libraries to benefit from a £12.6 million funding boost. Fourteen cultural venues, local museums and libraries, including Brading Roman Villa, are set to benefit from a £12.6 million funding boost, helping to ensure that everyone can access arts and culture in the places they call home. Venues ranging from Theatre Royal Winchester, Whitchurch Silk Mill and Surrey Libraries will receive a much-needed cash boost to help open up access to facilities, complete much-needed building projects and upgrade technology on site. In total, 130 organisations across the country are receiving a share...
News
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh Visits Brading Roman Villa
17 April 2026
Brading Roman Villa was honoured to welcome a very special guest on Thursday 16th April, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. The Duke returned to see first-hand the progress made since His Royal Highness’s last visit, with a particular focus on community engagement, education, and the preservation of heritage. During the visit, The Duke, who serves as Patron of the museum, received a guided tour of the Villa museum and discussed the current conservation work planned within the grounds. As part of the visit, The Duke was introduced to year 3 and 4 pupils from Brading Primary School who...
News
New Drop-in Session "In Case Of Death"
27 March 2026
New community drop-in “In Case Of Death” launches at Brading Roman Villa. A new monthly community initiative is launching on Saturday 18th April at 2pm at Brading Roman Villa, offering a welcoming space to talk openly about death, dying, and the practical aspects that come with it, such as planning ahead and making arrangements. “In Case Of Death” is a free, informal drop-in session designed to make conversations about end of life feel natural, approachable, and even uplifting. The sessions aim to break down taboos and encourage people to share thoughts, questions, and experiences in a relaxed and supportive environment....