Fishbourne Roman Palace is an archaeological museum and historical site located in Fishbourne, West Sussex. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in May 2026 to reflect current entry policies, noting the updated £15 adult admission price and the availability of the Collections Discovery Centre.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Spring and autumn 10am to 4.30pm; Summer peak 10am to 5pm (closed winter). |
| Ticket prices | Adults £15.00, Seniors £14.00, Children (5-17) £7.50, Under 5s free. |
| Address | Roman Way, Fishbourne, Chichester PO19 3QR. |
| Nearest public transport | Fishbourne train station (ten-minute walk). |
| Typical time needed | One to two hours. |
Fishbourne Roman Palace opening hours
Fishbourne Roman Palace opens daily to visitors from late April through to late November, operating from 10am to 4.30pm during the spring and autumn months. During the peak summer season between late July and early September, the daily opening hours extend slightly to 10am to 5pm.
You should always check the official calendar before travelling, as the site closes completely to the general public during the winter months from December through to late April. Last admission is strictly enforced one hour before the stated closing time throughout the operating season.
Fishbourne Roman Palace ticket prices
Standard admission to Fishbourne Roman Palace costs £15.00 for adults, £14.00 for seniors aged 65 and over, and £7.50 for children aged between five and 17. Children under five years old, essential carers, and members of the Sussex Archaeological Society receive free entry.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in May 2026. The attraction is not included in any city pass scheme, such as Go City or CityPass, which typically bundle other regional attractions like the Brighton i360, the Royal Pavilion, and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
How to get to Fishbourne Roman Palace
The most straightforward way to get to Fishbourne Roman Palace is by using the local rail network, as it sits a five to ten-minute walk from Fishbourne train station. This station is served by regular regional trains operating along the southern coast from Portsmouth, Brighton, and London.
Visitors arriving by bus can use the regular local services that operate between the nearby city of Chichester and Fishbourne village. If you are driving, the site is located just off the A27 dual carriageway; exit at the Fishbourne roundabout and follow the brown tourist signs along Roman Way to the entrance.
Parking at Fishbourne Roman Palace
There is a dedicated visitor car park located directly on site at Fishbourne Roman Palace, situated immediately outside the main entrance building. This surface-level car park provides ample free parking for all paying visitors, including designated space for larger vehicles and visiting coaches.
There are four designated accessible parking spaces available for Blue Badge holders positioned closest to the main visitor entrance. These disabled bays operate strictly on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved prior to your arrival at the museum.
How long to spend at Fishbourne Roman Palace
Most visitors spend between one and two hours at Fishbourne Roman Palace to view the mosaic floors, explore the museum gallery, and walk through the formal gardens. This timeframe provides enough time to read the information panels and observe the architectural remains without feeling rushed.
If you plan to join one of the free volunteer-led guided tours of the North Wing, you should allow at least two and a half hours for your total visit. Visitors should also factor in additional time if they wish to browse the gift shop, visit the on-site café, or let children complete the activity trails.
Accessibility at Fishbourne Roman Palace
Fishbourne Roman Palace provides level, step-free access throughout the main indoor areas, making the museum, North Wing mosaic viewing area, and café easily navigable for wheelchair users. The site features wide doors, ramped walkways, and three wheelchair-accessible toilets, including one operated by a RADAR key next to the car park.
The outdoor formal gardens feature gravel pathways which can present difficulties for some wheelchair users or those with limited mobility. The site offers two manual wheelchairs that visitors can borrow free of charge, though these should be reserved by telephone the day before your visit.
Inside / what to see at Fishbourne Roman Palace
The North Wing is the primary archaeological attraction, protecting the remains of the largest residential Roman building discovered in Britain. This covered enclosure allows visitors to walk on elevated pathways directly over the excavated ruins to view the structural foundations and the hypocaust underfloor heating system.
The site is famous for its collection of intact Roman mosaic floors, which date back to the 1st century AD. The most prominent example is the intricate Cupid on a Dolphin mosaic, which features detailed geometric patterns and classical mythological figures.
The recreated formal gardens occupy the original courtyard space and represent the earliest known ornamental gardens in the country. These grounds have been planted using authentic horticultural methods and species that would have been available to the Roman occupants during the 1st century.
The museum gallery displays a vast collection of artifacts uncovered during the site’s excavation in the 1960s. The exhibits include pieces of original painted frescoes, fragments of roofing tiles, everyday domestic objects, and a rare sculpted marble head believed to depict Emperor Nero.
The Collections Discovery Centre functions as an on-site archaeological laboratory and research facility. Visitors can observe professional conservators through viewing windows as they examine and preserve newly discovered historical objects from across the Sussex region.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip category | Advice |
| Timing | Arrive right at 10am to view the main mosaic floors before school trip groups arrive. |
| Crowds | The enclosed North Wing can become congested, so visit this section first to avoid bottlenecks. |
| Layout | The formal garden can be viewed clearly from the colonnade running the length of the North Wing if you want to avoid the gravel paths. |
| Entry process | Pay on the day at the entrance desk; advance booking is not required for general admission. |
| On-site logistics | The site features an on-site café and a designated outdoor picnic spot if you prefer to bring your own lunch. |
Frequently asked questions about Fishbourne Roman Palace
| Question | Answer |
| Is Fishbourne Roman Palace suitable for children? | Yes, the site provides family activity trail booklets and features open outdoor spaces for children to explore. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Fishbourne Roman Palace? | No, standard admission tickets can be purchased at the welcome desk upon arrival. |
| Is Fishbourne Roman Palace open on Sundays? | Yes, the site is open daily during its operating season from April to November. |
| Are bags allowed at Fishbourne Roman Palace? | Yes, but large bags should be left in your car or placed in the limited on-site storage lockers. |
| Are dogs allowed inside Fishbourne Roman Palace? | No, general pet dogs are not permitted, but registered assistance dogs are fully welcome. |
Things to do near Fishbourne Roman Palace
- Chichester Cathedral: A historic church featuring Norman and Gothic architecture, located a ten-minute drive away in the city centre.
- The Novium Museum: A local history museum built directly over the excavated remains of a Roman bathhouse in Chichester.
- Chichester Marina: A scenic coastal boating marina offering waterside walking routes and a café, situated 15 minutes south.
- Pallant House Gallery: A prominent art gallery housed in a Queen Anne townhouse, featuring a large collection of modern British art.
- Halnaker Windmill: A restored tower mill located on a hilltop via a public footpath, offering panoramic views across the South Downs.
What to visit tomorrow
- Bignor Roman Villa: A well-preserved Roman villa featuring large mosaic floors, located roughly 25 minutes northeast of Fishbourne.
- Portchester Castle: A remarkably intact Roman Saxon Shore fort with a later Norman castle built inside, situated 25 minutes west.
- Butser Ancient Farm: An archaeological open-air museum featuring a reconstructed Roman villa, located 20 minutes north.
- Lullingstone Roman Villa: A historic villa site known for its Christian chapel and intricate mosaics, located an hour and 45 minutes northeast.
- Pevensey Castle: The ruins of an ancient Roman Saxon Shore fort with a Norman castle inside, situated roughly 75 minutes east.
More Sussex travel
Other Sussex travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- What to see at Brighton’s Royal Pavilion – and what it’ll cost you.
- Plan your visit to Bodiam Castle.
- What to expect at Camber Sands.
- Guide to parking at Battle Abbey.
- Visitor guide to Drusillas Park in East Sussex.
