Lockdown No2 - Day 3

Somerdale Roman Villa

No frost, or sunshine, today but milder at 13 degrees. Accompanied my elderly neighbour to pick up her prescription this morning (she’s still nervous about going out due to the pandemic), then we went for a stroll around town, passing the reconstructed Roman villa that was moved to this site after being discovered during the building of the nearby Fry’s chocolate factory in the 1920s. (More on the history of the Roman villa below, for anyone interested.)

Back home, I settled down to watch a Christmas film, while catching up with blip replies. (I’m up to date with my November journal, but will have to say a communal thank you for your kind comments, stars and hearts for September and October blips. Will try and keep on top of things from now on!)

Soon it’ll be time for the highlight of my week, Strictly! Come on Bill Bailey!

Take care, stay safe and well...


“The site was occupied from the first to the fourth century AD, and a small Roman town was established by the third century AD. The town has been identified as one of the possible sites of the town of Traiectus, as listed on the Roman Antonine Itinerary of the third century AD. It is located between the large Roman settlements of Abonae (Bristol) and Aqua Sulis (Bath). During the construction of the factory buildings extensive Roman buried remains were discovered. A Roman building with mosaics, initially identified as a villa, was found and reconstructed at the entrance to the Somerdale site. A Roman well was left in situ and Roman coffins were also excavated. Subsequent works have revealed substantial further Roman remains on other parts of the site, notably on Keynsham Hams, including roads, numerous buildings, a possible temple, human remains and a large amount and variety of finds of the period.” https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1416459