The most complete Roman pottery kiln found in Greater London will be put on public display for the first time since it was discovered by archaeologists in 1968.
Thanks to a £243,550 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, one of the country’s best-preserved Roman artefacts has been carefully restored and was unveiled on Sunday at the annual Highgate Wood Community Heritage Day.
The event – organised by the City of London Corporation, which manages Highgate Wood as a registered charity – included the firing of a replica kiln.
The original kiln will be on display in the Information Hut as part of a temporary exhibition with further renovations to create a Visitor Centre and activities planned over the next few years.
Chair of the City Corporation’s Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee, William Upton KC, said: “Until recently, the pieces of this extraordinary find have been inaccessible to the public.
“Now, thanks to the Friends of Highgate Roman Kiln, Haringey Council, and the City of London Corporation, it has been possible to bring this piece of history back to life. It will be the only pottery kiln of its kind to be exhibited anywhere in the country.
“The return of the kiln to Highgate Wood is a wonderful achievement, but the project isn’t over yet. Over the next year, we’ll be transforming the Information Hut into more of a Visitor Centre to create a welcoming and engaging learning environment. We’ll also be adding replica kiln firings to our calendar of activities and events.”
Nick Peacey from The Friends of Highgate Roman Kiln said: “The Highgate Wood Heritage Day marks an important milestone for the Firing London’s Imagination project.
“We’re delighted that Graham Taylor of Potted History will be in charge of firing the replica kiln, and our ambition to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with and enjoy the story of the Highgate Roman kilns will be that much closer to being fulfilled.”
Deputy leader of Haringey Council, Sarah Williams, said: “With Haringey gearing up to be the London Borough of Culture in 2027, it’s fantastic that the newly restored Roman kiln is making a long-awaited return to its rightful place after a 56-year absence.
“With its very own, dedicated visitor centre, the kiln will be another great tourist attraction and I’d encourage everyone to come along to the Highgate Community Heritage Day and see this incredible historic artefact for themselves.
“The return of this Roman kiln has been achieved by the council working in close collaboration with residents.
“I’d like to thank staff at the Bruce Castle Museum and Archive, the Friends of the Highgate Roman Kiln, the City of London Corporation and the National Lottery Heritage Fund for their commitment and support in making this possible.”
The kiln is thought to be the last built by Roman potters who worked in Highgate Wood between 50CE and 160CE to supply Londinium, the capital of Roman Britain, and southeast England with distinctive ‘Highgate Ware’ pottery.
Highgate Wood is an ancient woodland, located in the London Borough of Haringey in north London and is protected by the City of London Corporation.
