FISHBOURNE PALACE West Sussex
Get a feel for how the upper crust of Roman society lived as you walk through Fishbourne Palace
The ruins at Fishbourne are the remains of a massive palace that was as large as the Imperial Palace in Rome itself. It was one of the largest Roman houses in the entire Empire. The site boasts a museum packed with artefacts found at the site as well as exhibits. The most luxurious wing of the palace is open to the public. The rooms include mosaics of outstanding quality including a stunning dolphin design. The garden is worth a look too, as it has been replanted to be authentic to the Roman period. The palace was built in about AD 90, but mystery surrounds who could have afforded such a vast residence. The most likely person was a local ruler named Cogidubnus. The palace was abandoned after a fire around AD 280.