Richborough Castle Museum, Dover

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What is recorded here

Richborough Castle Museum is a purpose-built 1929 museum at the Roman port, created to keep discoveries beside the place where Roman rule in Britain began and ended.

Why it was built

Major digging at Richborough from 1922 produced an exceptional number of Roman objects. The small museum was purpose-built in 1929 so visitors could study finds beside the ground that explained them.

People and work

Archaeologist J. P. Bushe-Fox directed the long excavation campaign, while museum workers selected pottery, coins, personal objects and building pieces to explain nearly four centuries of occupation.

How it changed

Displays were renewed as later study altered the story of the site. A major new display opened in 2022 and 2023, adding objects not previously shown and a reconstructed gateway outside.

What survives

The compact early museum remains within the Roman site and still holds finds from soldiers, traders and residents. Much larger study collections are cared for away from the display rooms.

Why it mattered

It was the first museum of its kind purpose-built at an English ancient site, keeping everyday objects close to the landing place used in AD 43 and the later shore fort.