Things to see and do at Chedworth Roman Villa

Stop by the Nymphaeum water shrine  

Offerings to the water goddess were made at the Nymphaeum which is still fed by the ancient water that filters through the Cotswold limestone.

It is also an area bursting with wildlife as a variety of animals that call Chedworth Roman Villa home often visit this feature. Look out of frogs, newts and Roman snails.

Take in the Cotswold views 

There are picnic benches and seating where you can unwind in this tranquil setting and soak up the views of the surrounding Cotswold countryside.

Spot seasonal wildlife 

Chedworth Roman Villa is home to a variety of plants and wildlife, some rare and some making use of the ancient remains.

Birds

Throughout the seasons many different birds can be regularly spotted around the villa including some less common songbirds like nuthatch and grey wagtail. With the arrival of spring and summer, the villa sees the return of the swifts and house martins who take up residence around the roof of the lodge to hatch their chicks.

Deer and hares

Several varieties of deer can be found in the area surrounding the villa, with sightings most common early in the day when the combe is quiet. It's not unusual to encounter a hare suddenly jumping up from behind one of the historic stone walls.

Bats

A number of bat species are at home here and nest in the loft space of the Visitor Centre. They can most often be seen in the early evening when they emerge to hunt for insects.

Roman snails

It's not just birds and mammals who call the villa home. There's also a wide variety of reptiles and invertebrates, some of which are very rare including the Roman snail (Helix Pomatia). These large, pale snails were brought to the villa as a popular delicacy of Romano-British cuisine over 1,800 years ago and are still here today.

The snails prefer the cooler areas of the villa site during the warmer months and hibernate during the winter.  Uniquely for a species which originated elsewhere, Roman snails are protected and can only be handled by those with a special licence.

Butterflies

Throughout the spring and warm summer months, many different varieties of butterfly can be seen feeding on flowers across the North Range and flowerbeds, including some rare species. Dragonflies are also very visible during the summer, flying across the site.

Newts and reptiles

Great crested and palmate newts have both been spotted here by wildlife experts. The males of these great crested newts can be recognised by a distinctly large dragon-like crest and a flame-shaped tail. Head to the Roman water shrine (nymphaeum) for one of the best spots to see them.

During the winter, newts will hibernate and appear again in the spring. Frogs can also be found at the nymphaeum and frogspawn is a common sight during spring.

Insects such as waterboatmen live on the water and can regularly be seen on the surface of the water. Around the walls of the North Range common lizards have also been seen, basking on the stones.