English Heritage is offering visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy a guided tour around the site of the recent excavation at Richborough Roman Fort this weekend

The excavation earlier this month uncovered the original Roman coastline at the time of the invasion of Britain, a medieval dock and several smaller finds.

Discovery of these historic artefacts attracted nationalinterest and for one weekend only English Heritage is offering the public the chance to visit the site themselves.

The tours are at 10am and 1.30pm on Saturday and Sunday and will be led by resident expert and site supervisor Sue Harris.

She said: “Visitors who go on these tours will not only be able to see the fort itself but also the amphitheatre and the fallen eastern wall.

“In Roman times the site was a large town and an entrance port to the country. This tour will give visitors the chance to take in the true size of this historical area and appreciate just how huge it was.”

English Heritage Archaeologist Tony Wilmott said it is widely known that Richborough Roman Fort was the gateway to Roman Britain 2000 years ago.

“What is really exciting is that we have actually found the Roman foreshore while digging in a deep trench alongside the remains of a Roman wall,” he added.

Fragments of Roman pottery and building materials such as wood and leather have been found in the ditch which will be carbon dated to validate the time period of around the fourth Century.

*Anyone interested in taking part in the tour should ring Dover Castle on 01304 211067.