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The remains of a substantial Roman villa were discovered at Chedworth in a secluded Cotswold valley by chance in 1864. It was immediately clear that this was a significant archaeological find and excavation work began. Although the origins of the villa could be dated to the 2nd century AD, the complex of buildings was at its most extensive and opulent in the 4th century, a period when the Romano-British upper class was in the ascendancy. With the decline of the Roman empire, Chedworth was eventually abandoned in the 5th century after a long period of decline. The villa passed to the National Trust in 1924 and the remains are open to the public together with a small museum. Archaeological work continues and it is hoped that further excavations will reveal more of the Chedworth story.