The Museum is housed in the former Wesleyan Chapel in the village of Piddington (built 1851), acquired by the Society in 1993. The former Sunday Schoolroom was converted to a store and was in use by 1994. Following fund-raising and a generous grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the displays were opened to the public by (Sir) Tony Robinson in 2004. The Museum is "Accredited" by the Arts Council England.
The Museum displays tell the story of the Iron Age settlement and Roman Villa excavations carried out by UNAS since 1979, just outside the village of Piddington. The Museum has won a number of local and national awards for its displays and interpretation, educational offer and special events.
The Museum is the hub/HQ of the Society's activities. Apart from displaying and storing the archaeological collections, we also have a small achive of material from the building's long life as a Chapel. Members regulary meet for research and we offer an education service to schools and welcome groups of all ages, besides individual visitors and families.
We also welcome researchers who wish to study the collections. We have built up a pottery reference collection, an invaluable tool for anyone researching Iron Age and Roman pottery.
The Museum is open on Sunday afternoons throughout the year:
April-September:2.00-4.00pm
October-March:2.00-4.00pm
Schools and group visits by appoinment
Please note that the Museum will be closed over the Christmas and New Year period:
the Museum will be open on Sunday, 15th December, but will then be closed until Sunday, 5th January.
Piddington Roman Villa Museum, The Old Wesleyan Chapel, 24 Chapel End, Piddington, Northampton, NN7 2DD
Admission
Adults (18 and over): £5.00
Children (5-18): £2.50
Adults and Children residing in Hackleton, Piddington, Horton and Preston Deanery: £2.50
Members of UNAS and Museum Volenteers: free entry
Members of the Association for Roman Archaeology (ARA): free entry (on production of current membership card).
See Getting Involvedfor Membership application forms.
