Tour of Abonae (Sea mills), Roman Bristol.

During the tour, we will explore the site including the internal and external ramparts; the site of the watch tower; and Mariner's Way roman road; discuss Abonae’s role as a port and fort, with docks for ships navigating the Avon to the Severn Estuary; the Roman road network linking Abonae to Bath and Gloucester; and visit the scheduled monument site near Sea Mills Lane, where remains of a Roman building (likely a warehouse or administrative structure) are visible.

• Kids free
• Wear weather-appropriate clothing (all-weather event)
• Dogs welcome
• Moderate fitness required

Contact 07935 986 421 if lost or delayed.

Meet at Sea Mills Railways Station, Sea Mills, Bristol BS9 1DX

Email [email protected] for group bookings.

Abona was established as a military town and fort in the first century AD, on a headland overlooking Avonmouth. The core of the early settlement was located in the Hadrian Close/Portway/Abon House area. The town and port evolved over the next three centuries, with a civilian occupation established by the early second century. By the third century a waterfront had probably been developed at the mouth of the River Trym, providing a local trading and transhipment centre. A road once connected Abona with the City of Bath and is still evident at Durdham Down 1.5 miles to the east, and probably is marked by Mariner's Drive in Sea Mills.
Civilian and military occupation continued until the late fourth century when the town expanded to the south. No evidence has been found suggesting that occupation continued into the fifth century, and it is likely that Abona declined from the later 4th century onwards before being abandoned, in common with many other Romano-British settlements.

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Host or Publisher Heath Bunting