Farley Heath, Albury, Surrey GU5 9EW
The Roman Temple at Farley Heath
Roman
Source image
5.4
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
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Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.4On Farley Heath, a Roman-period sacred precinct survives as buried archaeology: a temple site enclosed by a circular precinct and a much larger bank-and-ditch boundary. Finds from excavations range from prehistoric flintwork to Roman coins.
This is a small, easily overlooked archaeological site with an unusually tangible plan: the temple’s inner space, surrounding sacred precinct and wider enclosure can be understood as layers in the landscape. Its value is in reading the site and its long history, rather than expecting standing ruins.
Atmospheric · Ancient-feeling · Peaceful
Find your way
Open mapFarley Heath, Albury, Surrey GU5 9EW
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Visit for a close look at the temple’s marked-out plan and the wider earthwork story. Historic England describes buried archaeological remains; Friends of the Hurtwood reports that the inner and outer walls are marked out in stone. Check access and the current on-site presentation before travelling.
Things to do
Trace the temple and its precinct
Friends of the Hurtwood says the inner and outer walls are marked out in stone. Compare this on-site outline with Historic England’s description of a temple chamber and ambulatory within a 73-metre-diameter sacred precinct.
Under 1 hour
Look beyond the temple footprint
Historic England records a larger quadrangular enclosure, about 200 metres by 200 metres, defined by intermittent bank and ditch and possibly of medieval origin. Its visibility on the ground is not confirmed, so treat it as a feature to understand from the record rather than assume it is easy to trace.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
Read the temple plan
- 01
Check current access and the approach before setting out.
- 02
At the site, look for the marked-out inner and outer temple walls, where visible.
- 03
Use the recorded plan to picture the temple’s central chamber, surrounding walkway and sacred precinct.
Verified history
Historic England identifies the site as a Romano-Celtic temple and enclosure, scheduled in 1934. The temple survives as buried archaeological remains; its central cella and ambulatory are recorded as 14 metres square, within a 73-metre-diameter temenos. Excavations took place in 1848, 1926 and 1939, with later archaeological investigation and geophysical survey. Finds included prehistoric flintwork, pottery from several periods, roof tiles and coins spanning British and Roman issues. A separate, larger enclosure, about 200 metres square, may be medieval and is not thought to be contemporary with the temple complex.
Folklore & legend
No folklore or legend is established by the supplied sources. A local-history account suggests the temple may have marked a tribal boundary; Historic England does not present this as a confirmed function.
Hidden details
A temple within a larger sacred precinct — The temple was not simply a single building: Historic England records a surrounding temenos 73 metres in diameter, with the central temple measuring 14 metres square.
The enclosure may belong to another era — The larger, roughly 200-metre-square enclosure around the complex is not considered contemporary with the temple and may be medieval—a separate layer in the site’s landscape history.
A wide span of archaeological finds — Excavations recovered material from prehistoric, Iron Age and Roman periods, including British and Roman coins. Historic England notes that many may have been offerings deposited at the temple.
When to go
· No evidence-based time-of-day recommendation available; check access before visiting.
The supplied evidence does not establish seasonal highlights or access patterns.
Check conditions before visiting; the supplied sources do not confirm path surface or weather-related access.
Worth pairing with
Farley Heath to Peaslake circular walk
A past walking-event listing describes an approximately 11-kilometre circular route from Hurtwood Car Park 8, passing the temple, farms and woodland before reaching Peaslake and returning. The event is historical; check whether the route and parking remain suitable before relying on it.
What to look for
- 01
Look for the temple’s central cella and surrounding ambulatory in the marked-out plan
- 02
imagine the larger sacred precinct, recorded as 73 metres in diameter. Historic England also records a much larger, possibly medieval enclosure, about 200 metres square, marked by intermittent bank and ditch. These are archaeological features
- 03
not all are necessarily visible on the ground.
The story
Roman; Archaeology
Best time to go
Check conditions before visiting; no specific seasonal access or wildlife season is confirmed.
No best season or time of day is established by the supplied evidence. Check access and conditions before visiting.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
History lovers · Walkers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A scheduled monument on Farley Heath. Public access and the precise approach are not confirmed by the supplied sources; check locally before visiting and do not enter private or restricted land. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.
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Parking
Parking availability and location are not verified. A walking-event source refers to Hurtwood Car Park 8 on Farley Heath Road; confirm it is available and appropriate before setting out.
Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
Check before visiting; dog access and restrictions are not verified.
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Accessibility
Surface, gradients and step-free access are not verified. Check before visiting.
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Cost
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Water
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Around The Roman Temple at Farley Heath
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
