More information : (SP 72233530) Roman Villa (R) (Site of). (1) Remains of Roman villa of considerable size situated 1/2 mile SE of (Foxcote) church and close to a stream. Excavated in 1837-40; the finds included baths with leaden pipes, two tessellated pavements, a walled bank, many small items and coins dating occupation to the early 4th century AD. One of the pavements may be seen at the 'Queen's Temple' (SP 63 NE 15) in Stowe Park. (2) A plan of the villa was exhibited to the Oxford Ashmolean Society in 1843. (3) RB pottery from this site now in Bucks County Museum Accession No 117.62 & 328:72 (4). Donated by Mr Joy (5). Further finds from the villa held by Bucks County Museum: Accession Nos 38-82; 1918, 86:1918, 88-90: 1918 and 2:1956. Recent finds of tesserae and sherds found by D Mynard and K Field in 1967 are also held. Unspecified material is also held by Cambridge University Museum. (6) No further information, nothing visible. (7)
The MPP site visit revealed no traces of the villa on the ground, especially as the area has been used quite extensively for dumping soil dredged from the full length of the stream. The spot marked by the OS proved to coincide with a small ornamental bridge, probably mid-late 19th century in date, which contained some reused Roman tile and brick. Currently, it is not possible to define the level of archaeological survival following previous investigations, nor the precise location of the principal buildings, nor the likely extent of the whole complex. As the majority of the area is under pasture and (the rest is in thicket) the most effective means of establishing the extent of the villa will probably be through the use of geophysical techniques. At this time scheduling is not recommended. (9) |