Silchester Field School Accessibility

The sixteenth season of work on Insula IX at the Roman town of Silchester will take place between 2 July and 12 August 2012.

The Sichester excavation was a nominee for the Research Project of the Year category of the prestigious Current Archaeology Awards 2012.

The 2012 Field School is now full. If you would like to be added to a waiting list for 2013 please email a.s.clarke@reading.ac.uk

Year-Round Access

The Roman Town itself is open to visitors all year round, but it should be noted that access to the town site is not the responsibility of the Department of Archaeology at Reading. The Roman Town is owned by Hampshire County Council under the auspices of English Heritage, and any queries visiting the site outside of our summer excavation period should be addressed directly to them.

Accessibility at the dig

At Silchester, we welcome everybody. Each year we try to make the site more and more accessible to those with disabilities, not only to facilitate movement around the site but also to ensure that full enjoyment and appreciation of the excavation can be had by all. Understandably, however, catering for all special needs in what is, essentially, a bumpy field in the middle of the countryside is a difficult task.

All public areas at the excavation site are accessible by wheelchair in normal conditions. However, disabled visitors should feel free to ask any member of the excavation team for assistance as required. They should also be aware of the hazards around the edge of the trench.

The path from the car park to the excavation site is about 700m with a slightly uneven surface in places. Wheelchair access is possible when the ground is dry - one part has a slight incline, but the path is wide and the one swing gate is ample width. After wet weather the path gets muddy. There is ramp access, with handrail, to the Visitor Cabin and to the viewing platforms. There is a disabled portaloo at the site, with ramp access. All other public areas are at ground level.

We ask that if you have a disability and are considering coming to visit the dig that you contact us in advance (0118 378 6255 or 0791 2998970 during the excavation) in order to:

• let us know what special requirements may be needed
• check that we have the facilities you require
• organise alternative access to the site