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As with most Roman villas, the site evolved over several centuries, starting life as a simple farmstead with timber buildings in cAD190. During the 3rd century, a masonry building was constructed comprising of just four rooms - which formed the basis of the west wing of the final site.
Some time later northern and southern wings were added, and then it was extended further still by the addition of an eastern wing. The final building now formed a complete square around a central courtyard, and comprised some 65 rooms in the main complex, with another 9 rooms located in various outbuildings.
The majority of what remains today comprise the rooms in the western end of the north wing, and the bathhouse in the south eastern corner. These rooms, including the changing area of the bathhouse, contain some of the best preserved Roman mosaics in England, including the remains of the north corridor mosaic which extends some 79’ (24m) and would have originally run the complete length of the wing.
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