Brading Roman Villa is one of the finest Roman sites in the UK. Our award-winning Visitor Centre and Museum offers a unique insight into Roman life in Britain from beautifully preserved mosaic floors to an extensive collection of Roman archaeology.
We are excited to welcome you and we want to make your visit as safe and enjoyable as possible. Below are some FAQs that may help you.
We are currently operating with fewer staff and volunteers than previously so we appreciate your assistance and understanding during your visit.
To allow us to monitor visitor numbers there are timed slots for the museum which you can choose when booking online.
Please have your ticket ready to show our staff either on your phone or a printed copy. You may need to queue for a short time while tickets are being checked.
How to book:
- Please book tickets using our online booking system.
- School groups and Coach Tours please contact the museum in advance to discuss bookings. Email: info@bradingromanvilla.org.uk or Tel: 01983 406223
When you arrive:
- Please arrive within 10 minutes of the start time of your ticket. You may need to queue for a short time while tickets are checked. If you arrive late, we’ll not be able to guarantee you immediate entry.
- Please have your ticket ready to show our staff either on your phone or a printed copy.
- If you are paying on arrival please consider Gift Aid. If you are a UK taxpayer and you make a Gift Aid donation, the Museum can claim back extra money from the government through the Gift Aid scheme. This means that your donation is worth even more to the Museum. For every pound paid, we can claim back £0.25, so if your donation was £10 we can claim back an extra £2.50. By checking the box to Gift Aid while making a donation, you confirm that you agree to this statement.
During your visit:
- Face masks are no longer a requirement, however if you wish to wear one we do have some available free of charge.
- We encourage you to use the hand sanitisers around the site.
- If you have any of the symptoms of coronavirus, or if you have been in contact with anyone that has had the virus in the last 7 days, please do not visit the museum and contact 111 for advice.
- Any children in your group must be supervised at all times.
- Given the need for safety for all of us, we thank you for observing these guidelines whilst visiting the villa, which will help us to continue to be a safe place for everyone to visit and enjoy.
FAQs
Are you open?
We are now open Tuesday to Saturday. 10am-4pm (Museum last entry 3pm)
Café open 10am-4pm (last food orders at 3pm)
Is my ticket for a specific day and time?
Yes, all tickets are valid only on the specified date and time.
NB: You can purchase tickets on the day from reception however we advise that you purchase tickets in advance of your visit to avoid queuing during busy periods.
Will my time in the museum be restricted?
No. We ask you to book a specific time and date for museum entry, so we can manage visitor numbers on-site. The café, shop and grounds are accessible without a ticket.
I am a Friend of Brading Roman Villa Member, do I still need to book and will I have to pay?
If you are a Friend of Brading Roman Villa Member you will still be able to visit for free, but we ask you to book in advance an entry ticket in order for us to manage numbers This ticket will be free of charge. You will need to present your membership card. If you are visiting with non-Friend members they will have to book via the website as usual.
Do you offer refunds?
Brading Roman Villa operates a policy of no refunds or exchanges for tickets bought at admissions, booked online or by telephone. Tickets are valid only for the date and time they are booked and cannot be transferred to another date. Credit/debit card transactions are made on a separate secure server managed by the Art Fund, Art Tickets platform, with full encryption of all credit card data. Your credit card details and personal information will not be shared with any other company or organisation. Use of the ticket implies agreement with our museum guidelines. The ticket remains the property of Brading Roman Villa and is not for re-sale, is non-refundable and non-transferable. The management reserves the right to refuse admission to any ticket holder and, in the interest of the public and for safety reasons, we also reserve the right to request visitors to leave the site at any time.
What if I can’t print my ticket?
Tickets can either be presented on paper or on a smart phone/tablet.
Will the Café be open?
Yes, the café is open 10am-4pm. Last food orders at 3.00pm.
Take away options are available and outside seating.
Face coverings
Face masks are no longer a requirement. However you will be mixing with people outside of your group, if you wish to wear one we can provide masks free of charge.
Will the Gift Shop be open?
Yes, the shop will be open and accessible without a ticket.
Can I bring my own picnic?
Yes, You are welcome to have your picnic within the grounds. Please remove all rubbish and use the bins provided.
Is there wheelchair access?
Yes, our Museum, shop and café are all accessible. Please note that as a rural site our outside grounds are a blend of stone, gravel and some uneven earth pathways. We are able to offer the loan of Museum wheelchairs but these are used at your own risk and we do not accept any responsibility for injury, accident or loss to you or others when in use.
Can I smoke or use e-cigarettes?
No, we are a no smoking or vaping site. This is due to the nature of the premises and to help protect the grounds and ancient monument.
Will the toilets remain open?
Yes, the toilets are open.
Will the accessible toilet be open?
Yes, the accessible toilet will be open. This space also includes the baby changing facilities.
Can I bring my dog/s?
Dogs are welcome outside in the grounds but not inside the museum, café or visitor centre. We do ask that they are kept on short leads at all times whilst on site.
What time is last entry to site?
The last museum entry is 3pm. Please note, these are entry times to the museum. The site will close at 4pm and the gates locked by 4.30pm so we kindly ask that you leave the car park by this time.
What time does the Museum open?
The Museum opens at 10am. The gates will be open at 9.30am.
What time does the Museum close?
Last entry to the Museum is 3pm, the Museum closes at 4pm. The gates will be locked at 4.30pm.
If your question has not been answered above, please email info@bradingromanvilla.org.uk and we will respond to your question as soon as possible.
Open throughout the year.
Opening days: Tuesday – Saturday
Museum: 10am – 4pm (last entry: 3pm)
Café: 10am – 3pm (last food orders: 2.30pm)
Closed: Sunday & Monday
Morton Old Road, Brading
Isle of Wight, PO36 0PH
(Sat Nav use PO36 0EN)
Take the A3055 from Ryde to Sandown. After leaving Brading turn right 300 metres past the traffic lights, into Morton Old Road, then follow the signs to Brading Roman Villa.
Take the Southern Vectis Bus Service Number 3 from Ryde or Sandown and ask the driver for Brading Roman Villa. Follow the signs after alighting.
Take the Island Line train service to Brading Station, then walk through The village towards Sandown and follow the signs to Brading Roman Villa after the Yarbridge crossroads.
With Gift Aid donation |
Without donation
|
|
Adult | £12.10 | £11.00 |
Concessions | £11.35 | £10.30 |
Child (5-16 Years)
|
£5.95 | £5.40 |
Family (2 adults and up to 3 children)
|
£31.45 | £28.60 |
Brading Roman Villa offers a range of facilities to make your visit to the Museum comfortable.
Free Parking
There is plenty of free parking on site and many designated Disabled Spaces for blue-badge holders.
Cloakrooms and luggage
The Museum does not have a cloakroom but it does have space where coats and bags can be left. Any property left here is at the owner’s own risk.
Photographs
Still photography is permitted in the museum and grounds for personal use, not commercial. Photography using a stand, tripods, special lighting or other equipment is not permitted. Permission for specialist photos can be given by permit. To enquire call 01983 406223
Venue Hire
It is not possible to hire the gallery for private functions however you can hire the café, visitor centre and outside space. Visit our venue hire page for more details.
Identification and Valuations
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer an identification or valuation service. Some larger museums, such as the British Museum, offer an identification service by appointment in individual departments. However, please note that museums are bound by a strict Code of Ethics and you may be required to demonstrate appropriate collection history until at least 1970 and appropriate export documentation.
Your local Finds Liaison Officer may also be able to help and can be found using finds.org.uk/contacts
Free WIFI
Free WiFi is available. When visiting the museum or café please ask a member of staff for details.
Toilets
The toilets, including disabled facilities, are located in the main visitor centre and are accessible for wheelchairs, walking aids and pushchairs.
Baby Changing
Baby-changing facilities are available in the disabled toilet located in the main visitor centre.
Museum Shop
Our shop is home to a unique range of gifts inspired by our Roman Heritage and environment. Every purchase helps to support our museum and allows us to continue to protect and conserve the collection.
Museum Temperatures
The museum can be hot in the summer and cold during the winter. The environment is monitored and recorded. Due to the change in temperatures it is advised to plan your visit accordingly.
Food and Drink
We’re very sorry, but food and drink is not permitted in the Museum. Please join us in protecting our objects from harm.
Child friendly eating
The café offers child friendly food and has highchairs available.
Our shop is home to a unique range of gifts inspired by our Roman Heritage and environment. Every purchase helps to support our museum and allows us to continue to protect and conserve the collection.
The products on offer include jewellery made by local silversmiths, a wide range of books, locally produced food hampers, Roman inspired souvenirs and a wide range of affordable children’s products.
With helpful and knowledgeable retail staff available to help, why not drop in for that unique gift.
Brading Roman Villa is housed in a modern building that is designed for safe and easy access for people of all ages and mobility. The whole site and café are accessible by wheelchair and there is one available for use from the front desk. There are three dedicated disabled spaces in the main car park.
From the car park there is a smooth pavement that rises slightly on a gradient to the front door 40m from the car park. There are electric doors to gain entry to the front of the building. BRV offer free entry entitlement for carers or support workers when accompanying a disabled visitor.
Exploring the Museum
The floor throughout the building is level apart from one section inside the museum where there is a ramp which takes you into a position overlooking the mosaics. All areas are accessible by wheelchair.
The villa has volunteer guides who provide an introduction to the villa for all visitors. Our volunteers have been trained on how to support all visitors and they are capable of adapting what they say and do to meet visitors’ needs once they are informed. The handrail is at a uniform height and can be used to guide visitors around the museum as well as indicating the shape of the rooms.
There are sensory models of the villa and the artefacts for visitors to handle. There are seats around the museum for visitors to use and once they have paid they can enter the museum as many times as they like during their visit.
The Café
Access is through double doors from the foyer entrance and assistance dogs on leads are very welcome. Orders are taken at the counter in the café. Food orders are served to the table and except on the busiest of days, it should be possible for the counter staff to carry drinks to the chosen table as well.
The floor is carpeted and the walls have a variety of paintings, these reduce noise bouncing off the walls, making the café a more peaceful place for everyone. By the café is a terrace with panoramic views of the whole of Sandown Bay. This area can be used by visitors with dogs.
Toilets
The disabled toilet is 10m from the café and also has a baby changing station. It is 3m by 2m and has fittings standard to a disabled toilet.
Assistance Dogs
Guide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance dogs are welcome throughout the Museum.
Wheelchairs
A limited number of adult wheelchairs are available and may either be booked in advance by telephoning 01983 406223 or borrowed on the day by asking a member of staff at the front desk.