The Keynsham Collection of Roman and Medieval artefacts is of local, national and international importance in archaeology, history and art. Keynsham Heritage Trust manages the collection (by agreement with Bath and North East Somerset Council), and campaigns for better storage and display facilities so that as many people as possible can see and appreciate the collection.

The Keynsham Collection consists of the excavated material from three significant sites.

THE ROMAN VILLA AT DURLEY HILL
One of the finest villas known from Roman Britain. It was excavated in the 1920s and is best known for its nine intact panels of mosaic flooring of the highest quality.

THE ROMAN SETTLEMENT AT SOMERDALE
In 1922 workmen digging gravel for the new Fry’s Chocolate Factory at Somerdale uncovered two spectacular stone coffins. In 1991, alterations to Cadbury playing fields uncovered large quantities of finds, indicating a Roman settlement of some substance.

THE AUGUSTINIAN ABBEY OF KEYNSHAM
Founded in 1167, little of this site can be seen today. In 1961 the new Keynsham by-pass destroyed a large part of the remains of this major monastic complex.

Thanks to emergency rescue excavations undertaken by Bristol Folk House Archaeological Society, some of the Abbey’s beautiful sculpted bosses, capitals and vaulting were saved and the Abbey's layout was established.

A HOME FOR THE KEYNSHAM COLLECTION
The mosaics and other finds were exhibited for nearly sixty years at Somerdale. When, in 1987, Cadbury Schweppes Ltd announced they could no longer accommodate the mosaic panels, Keynsham Heritage Trust was formed.

Since then the material has had to be stored out of public view, with only limited access for research and education purposes.

The need to display this amazing material in Keynsham for Keynsham people is as strong as ever.