Heritage Open Days. Roman Fields Academy and Estate

The site was excavated by archaeologist John Evans in the 1850s and David Neal in the 1960s. The earliest building found was of timber construction, dating to the later first or early second century. It is thought that through five building periods the site was inhabited until 350 AD.Today the Academy incorporates Boxmoor House, itself built by one of the first Hemel Hempstead rail commuters. Thomas Davis was an eminent and wealthy surgeon who needed to be close to a train service to London, so shortly following to opening of a rail service from Boxmoor, Davis had the house built. Artifacts from his time at Boxmoor House remain today.Boxmoor House was a convalescence home for soldiers during the First World War and became a children’s home in the 1930s. Two nieces of the Queen Mother, Katherine and Nerissa Bowe-Lyon were looked after at the home for a time.Herts County Council purchased Boxmoor House in 1942.