Digging for Britain is a long-running television series that broadcasts on BBC2 and covers current archaeological digs and history projects across the UK at both well-known sites and new discoveries. The programme is particularly interested in projects that involve local communities.
The Slimbridge Archaeological Landscape Project was first in touch with the production company in summer of 2021. Following further excavation of this unusually early Roman site and the discovery of a number of rare artefacts, filming was arranged for the summer of 2025. The production supplied a dig diary camera to record events across the summer and filming with presenter Tori Herridge took place on 14 August 2025.
The item established how the dig has focussed on the settlement’s relationship with its landscape. The prehistoric people living here may have traded alongside the Severn and it’s believed there was probably an established Iron Age port here when the Romans arrived and took over the site.
Tony Roberts explained to Tori how the bathhouse was heated and about its opulent decoration. This is not only a pointer to the high status of the Roman inhabitants but is also extremely unusual for such an early Roman settlement.
Lee James showed Tori finds associated with the site, including a tiny decorative mount in the shape of a falcon and a metal leaf that would possibly have been gilded. Other exciting finds included a writing stylus and a very rare bronze Greek medical scalpel.
The film featured in the fifth episode of the sixteenth series of Digging For Britain which transmitted on 7 January 2026.
Watch the episode here
