The village of Acton Trussell is situated some 4 kilometres to the south of the county town of Stafford, England.
The village church of St James is geographically detached, and lies some way to the south of the village, it was during field studies in 1984, whilst trying to find the reason for this remoteness, that the site of a Romano-British villa was discovered.
Most of the villa buildings are inside the confines of the churchyard, but there is sufficient archaeology around the perimeter to allow reasonable interpretation of the development of the site, and to show that occupation occurred certainly from the Neolithic 4000-1800 BC (late stone-age), and through the Bronze and Iron ages, with microliths suggesting at least temporary occupation during the Mesolithic period some 9000-4000 BC.
Acton Trussell looking north.
At centre is St James church.
Top centre Acton Trussell village.
The site of the Trussell manor house top left of centre.
2 legs of the moat, north (in the trees) and east, still exist, these were widened to become "fish stews".
The west leg was incorporated into the early canal, note the wider canal.
The south leg is now filled.
At centre is St James church.
Top centre Acton Trussell village.
The site of the Trussell manor house top left of centre.
2 legs of the moat, north (in the trees) and east, still exist, these were widened to become "fish stews".
The west leg was incorporated into the early canal, note the wider canal.
The south leg is now filled.