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'Martin Cooke and H&L have provided the
key expertise to build the successful management plan and funding application
for the Roman Town House, Dorchester' John Lowe, Historic Environment Manager, Dorset County Council
The Roman Town House in Dorchester stands within Colliton Park. Colliton Park was acquired by Dorset County
Council in 1933 as the site for the construction of County Hall. The Town House was discovered in 1937/38 during an archaeological
investigation carried out by the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society prior to the construction of the new building.
Subsequently plans for County Hall were modified so that the Roman Town House could be retained on
site. The
Town House is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, a Grade 1 listed building and is bounded on the north and west sides by North
Walk and West Walk which are also Scheduled Monuments having the remains of the Roman ramparts of the town just below surface
level. The West Range was re-excavated and provided with a steel and glass cover roof between
1996 and 1999, all perched on the original foundations. A Management Plan for the period
2007 to 2009 has been produced by Martin Cooke working with Interpretation Consultant Carol Parr and in conjunction with
the County Council's Historic Environment Manager. This provides a practical, documented approach to the management, use
and development of the site. The learning opportunities of the Town House were the principal focus of a successful Your
Heritage bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund, produced by Heritage & Leisure management.
H&L worked with Dorset County Council and
its partners to assist in the implementation of the Town House's interpretation and to develop the concept and gain funding
for the successful first two-day Roman Festival for Dorchester on the 30 and 31 August 2008.
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