Brading Roman Villa — Attraction in Brading

The exhibition itself was very interesting and the mosaics, the volunteer staff and the coffee room were all excellent. However, we visited with two small children on 20th May, and the receptionist was rude from the first minute of arrival. I said we had pre-booked tickets, and her response was “right well I’m going to have to see those then” in a very haughty tone. What followed was more face pulling and one word answers. We saw that the receptionist treated other visitors without children with far more respect and courtesy, with not a single rude remark or negative expression. It was obvious that two small children attending the site offended the receptionist. Our older son was running around excitedly, not interfering with anyone else, just doing what all 2 year olds do. I assume that this attitude is passed down from the manager, as when one of our children threw his bib on to some old solid stones in the exhibition, which I should add was dry and weighed 2 grams (floating on to the stone and causing no damage at all) the manager walked over to us and said “is this yours” and walked off without another word uttered. Shame about the staff, as it did ruin...

Unfortunately I have to give this a 3. Let me just clarify, the exhibit is great but it was spoilt by 2 things... Expensive to get in, expensive to eat there. I'm not a tight person but £7 for an egg and cress sandwich is mindblowing. Do you really expect a family of 4 to spend £28 on sandwiches....bearing in mind that doesn't even include drinks. The only staff member we encountered was working the entrance till. She was abrupt and rude and this attitude was only amplified when we declined to pay extra in order for them to be able to claim gift aid. That's right, they ask you...the little man (who has already paid a lot to get in) to pay about 10% more, so they can claim 25% of the ticket price back from the government....so realistically you are contributing towards the gift aid yourself. Normally we gift aid but high ticket prices meant this was not an attractive proposal. Not entirely sure why the female assistant spoke to us in this manner when we were well within our rights to pay the standard...

Fascinating insight into how the Romans lived in the UK. How a villa was constracted, maintained and heated. Beautiful examples of Roman mosaic flooring. Most of the villa is enclosed so your visit will not be affected by the weather. Ample free parking, hot and cold food sold at reasonable prices. Passionate staff that are happy to take any opportunity to share their knowledge.

For £3 children and adults alike are able to make a coaster using tessera mosaic glass tiles and are given a bag of grouting to take away with them to use on the coaster once the tiles are secured.

The eating area is clean and well kept, menu traditional, serving jacket potatoes salads, cakes, hot and cold drinks.

Toilets are regularly cleaned and kept to a high standard.

Not much in the way of children souvenir available more so History books, reproduction Roman helmets and the like.

Kids liked dressing up in period clothes and having their...