Travel Guides Crafted by Experienced Archaeologists & Historians
A circular structure made of flint rocks that made up a Roman mausoleum - the so-called Keston Roman Tombs.

The Keston Roman Tombs

In the leafy suburb of Keston, along Greater London’s southern border with Kent, is an interesting Romano-British site, rarely open to the public. The Keston Roman Mausoleum consists of three visible tombs constructed in the 3rd century AD. Two of them are comparatively small, but the third was a substantial structure. On a sunny day in September 2018 I had the rare chance of visiting the site during one of its open days.

Keston Roman Tombs

A circular structure made of flint rocks that made up a Roman mausoleum - the so-called Keston Roman Tombs.
Tomb 1 is a large circular tomb with six radiating butresses.
Tomb 2, Keston Roman Villa site.
Tomb 2 is a smaller, rectangular tomb.
The badly preserved stone coffin found by farm workers just before the end of the 18th century.
The Roman stone coffin discovered by farm labourers.

More Archaeological Sites Nearby

Roman Sites in Greater London

Visiting the Keston Roman Tombs

Keston Roman Villa & Tombs

On the edge of Greater London in the small leafy village of Keston, archaeologists found the remains of a 3rd Century AD Roman villa and at least two tombs and many individual graves. Excavations started in the late 1960s and carried on until the 1990s. For conservation reasons the villa was covered up following excavation, but the tombs were left exposed. The ruins are on private property and are usually only accessible to the public on open days held in September each year.

Archaeology Travel Writer

Ethan Doyle White

When not exploring archaeology and history sites at home and abroad, and then writing about these for Archaeology Travel, I research religion in early medieval England and contemporary uses of heritage. In 2019 I completed a PhD in medieval history and archaeology from University College, London. Read More

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