Silchester Travel Guide

 planxty Says:  Actually within the old Roman Town walls of Calleva Atrebatum (modern day Silchester) lies the wonderful old Church of St. Mary the Virgin. The first thing that surprised (and delighted) me wa that, although no-one was about, the Church was actually open. I know this might... 

 planxty Says:  I am not sure how truthful the title of this tip is, but I did read that the Roman town walls at Silchester are the best preserved example in England. They are certainly impressive, although the town that they enclosed is long gone (see photo 4). To walk round the 2.8... 

 leics Says:  The church of St Mary the Virgin is built within the Roman walls of Calleva Atrebatum, and its walls are constructed partly from Roman brick and tile. The present building dates from the mid thirteenth century, but it is probable that there was another, earlier church on the... 

 leics Says:  ...............was built around 50 AD, not long after the Roman town was built. The ground level was lowered, and the earth removed was used to form the seating bank. It is remarkably large, there is an excellent view from the banks, and sound carries very clearly; one can... 

 leics Says:  .............the Roman town, named for 'the town in the woods of the Atrebates' the local Iron Age tribe). Although the town within is covered in pasture (many of its treasures in Reading museum, although much remains to be excavated) the walls still stand, and create an... 

 leics Says:  Both the north gate and the south gate of the Roman town were once impressive structures, with archways and (eventually, it is thought) battlements. Imagine how an Iron Age peasant might feel walking through such a gateway for the first time; the awe he or she must have felt... 

 KennetRose Says:  Every English village has its memorial to the local dead of two 20th century wars, usually a rather clichéed cross. But this simple stone seems more impressive and more moving than most. 

 KennetRose Says:  A delightful small parish church, separated from the present-day village by 2km 

 KennetRose Says:  Unlike other Roman towns, Calleva was not built on after the Romans left, so the site is intact. That said, it has been put to the plough over many centuries. You can walk round the town walls, however, and inspect the amphitheatre, both of which demonstrate what a big and... 

 KennetRose Says:  Reading Buses run an hourly service - the 143 - from Reading station to the Calleva Arms via Burghfield and Mortimer. 

 KennetRose Says:  Local trains run every half hour from Reading or Basingstoke to Mortimer. After that it's an attractive 4km walk across country. Be prepared for the walk with waterproofs and stout shoes or boots. 

 leics Says:  The walls of the Roman town are obvious, but if you look closely at the church (especially on the south side) you can see lots of Roman brick and tile which was used to build it. There's a Roman pillar and its base in the churchyard too; you'll pass it if you walk round the...