Museums & Galleries · Hertfordshire
The Hypocaust
📍 AL3 4SN
Photo: Bryn Holmes (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons
- Ancient Roman underfloor heating system in original location
- Mosaic floor made of cut stone and tile tesserae
- Listen to voices from mosaic artists and archaeologists
- 1800 year old remains uncovered by Sir Mortimer and Tessa Wheeler
The Hypocaust is an 1800-year-old Roman underfloor heating system, left in its original location within Verulamium Park rather than moved to a museum. You'll see the mosaic floor made of tesserae set over the hypocaust's brick columns and trenches, once part of a grand town house near Watling Street. Inside, you can listen to voices from mosaic artists and archaeologists bringing its history to life. It's housed in a modern building, free to enter, and suits anyone curious about Roman Britain. Access involves paths that can be muddy, an incline, and steps or a slope around the mosaic, with no toilets on site. Based in St Albans, there are 23 bookable places to stay within 5 miles for those wanting to explore further.
Practical details
- Open
- Monday to Sunday, 10am-4pm
- Parking
- Pay and display car park with 150 spaces nearby
- Accessibility
- Heavy manual glass doors, steps or slope around mosaic, no toilets
- Best for
- Visitors interested in Roman history and archaeology
From the attraction's own website on 14 Oct 2026 — check before you travel.
Facilities
- ✓ Disabled Access
- ✓ Indoor Areas
- ✓ Parking
Visitor reviews
No reviews yet — been here? Be the first to share what it's like.
Log in or create a free account to write a review.
Do you own or manage The Hypocaust?
Claim this listing to respond to reviews and keep your information up to date. Verification is free — see why owners claim their listing.
Create a free account to claimPlaces to stay near The Hypocaust
Make a proper break of it — these stays are all within 25 miles.
0.4 mi
0.7 mi
0.7 mi
0.8 mi
0.9 mi
1.4 mi
🎪 What's on near The Hypocaust
Events from
Skiddle
Fri 13 Nov · 19:00
Vinyl Nights
Cinnabar, Stevenage · 12.9 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
Fri 13 Nov · 20:00
Ise's WGAS Party
Cinnabar, Stevenage · 12.9 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
Fri 13 Nov · 20:30
MYSPACE OR YOURS? @ The Crooked Crow Bar
The Crooked Crow Bar, Leighton Buzzard · 17.5 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
Fri 11 Dec · 19:00
LOST IN 98 presents - Tyson fury v Anthony Joshua
Bar52, Harlow · 18.2 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
🗓️ Make a break of it
Turn a visit to The Hypocaust into a proper getaway — ready-made plans, and the drive worked out with fuel, EV charging and the best stops.
🚆 Or come by train
- St Albans Abbey 0.7 miles
- St Albans 1.2 miles
- Park Street 1.8 miles
Straight-line distances · live departures on each station page