Two Newport attractions will each have a ‘free entry day’ to mark Isle of Wight Council’s participation in the Heritage Open Days held across England in September.
Isle of Wight Council’s Museum of Island History in Newport’s High Street will be free entry on Thursday 14th September and will be open 10am – 1pm.
Fascinating history of the Isle of Wight
The museum provides an introduction to the history of the Isle of Wight from fossils to festivals and also has a number of changing exhibitions. At the moment these include newly available images by Sandown photographer James Dore, depicting rural life on the Island.
Visitors are also invited to come and find out more about the Wight Rodeo Riders, a horseback display team that were based on the Island but toured Great Britain from the 1920s to 1939.
The following day, Friday 15th September , free entry will be on offer at Newport Roman Villa in Cypress Road and will be open 10.30am – 2.30pm.
One of the best examples of a Roman bath suite
Newport Roman Villa is a fine example of a third century farmhouse with one of the best examples of a Roman bath suite in Southern Britain. The Villa has well preserved remains, a small museum and a recreated Roman garden.
Newport Roman Villa is tucked away amongst a modern housing estate on the outskirts of Newport. These well preserved remains provide a snapshot into life on the Island in Roman times. The well-preserved bath suite has underfloor heating, hot and cold baths and a sweating room.
The activity room allows you to; try on Roman clothes, discover more about food and cooking with our replica Roman kitchen and try your hand at rebuilding a pot. There is a small garden with plants and herbs which would have been used at the time for cooking and medicine. The museum area provides the opportunity to find out more about the Island before and after the Romans and discover some of the latest archaeological finds on the Island.
Heritage Open Days
Thousands of sites across England participate in Heritage Open Days between from 8th-17th September.
Two other Island sites are involved – The Vecta Lodge of Oddfellows, St. Thomas’ Square, Newport will open its doors (14th and 15th September) and there will be guided history walks at Ryde Cemetery (12th and 16th September).
Full details on the Heritage Open Days Website.
Where and when
Museum of Island History, Guildhall, 136 High Street, Newport, PO30 1TY.
Opens Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am-1pm. Normal entry: Adults, Children 50p.
Newport Roman Villa, Cypress Road, Newport, PO30 1HA.
Opens until the end of September on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays 10.30am – 2.30pm (last entry).
The Villa will also be open for Clay Days during the October half term. Normal entry Adults £4.50 Concessions £4, Children £3.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
