Flooding for Northamptonshire residents even affected Roman settlers in the third century, archaeologists in Nether Heyford have discovered.
Whitehall Roman Villa in Nether Heyford has been under excavation for more than 10 years, since foragers armed with metal detectors discovered a large number of Roman coins in 1996.

And in the latest study, a second bath house has been found close to the River Nene.

Stephen Young, site director, said: "It was in use for perhaps one generation but because of flooding it was abandoned, and the bath house we already knew about was built instead."

He said the evidence for this was that soil on top of the bath house dated back to the fourth century, meaning it could only have been used for a short time.

Remains of a mosaic floor have been found, along with painted plaster, window glass, a well-preserved piece of a horse's bridle and a bracelet.

The bath houses both had several rooms for different uses, to allow bathers to change, lie in a hot room, enjoy a hot bath, a cold bath or even a massage.

Farm owner Nick Adams said: "We were amazed to find the second bath house.

"The thinking is that flooding from a spring would have meant the lower bath house would not work properly."

The site has also been given two interpretation boards worth £2,000 which explain the site and show how it would have looked in Roman times.

Dave Prichard, land management officer from Natural England, which donated the boards, said: "This is about making more people understand what this is all about.

"By having a visual aid we are supporting the ongoing excavation and helping more people understand what it all means."

For further information log on to www.whitehallvilla.co.uk