A plan to display a Roman pottery kiln excavated in Highgate Wood has been awarded a £243,000 National Lottery Heritage Grant.
The Friends of Highgate Roman Kiln - including patron and local resident Hugh Dennis - are celebrating a successful bid to return the artefact to the site where it was used by Londoners 2,000 years ago.
Excavated by archaeologists in the 1960s and 70s, it has been in pieces in storage at Tottenham's Bruce Castle Museum, but will now be the centrepiece of a visitors' centre and community learning programme.
FoHRK Chair Catherine West MP said: "This is a huge step forward in bringing this precious Roman kiln back to Highgate Wood where it belongs. I want it to be on display in the Wood, inspiring community learning, crafts and heritage."
Mock The Week comic, and presenter of The Great British Dig, Dennis added: “This is excellent news. Nearly 2000 years ago the Highgate Roman kiln was used by a thriving community of potters to serve the needs of London. Now, thanks to the support and efforts of a thriving modern community it is coming back to Highgate Wood!”
The most complete kiln of its kind found in Greater London, it is thought to be the last built by Roman potters who worked in Highgate Wood between 50CE-160CE supplying Roman Londinium with distinctive ‘Highgate Ware’. 
The grant will fund a half time engagement officer for three years to allow visitors to learn about this important aspect of London’s Roman heritage.
In the run up to the visitor's centre opening in September 2024, schools and locals will take part in community and educational activities, including Roman kiln reconstruction and firing, and the creation of a community mosaic in the Wood.
Bruce Castle Museum and Highgate Wood managers The City Corporation also backed the project which is called Firing London’s Imagination: An Inclusive Approach to Highgate’s Roman Pottery Heritage.
Harvey Sheldon, who originally excavated the kiln, gives a talk 'Who were the Highgate potters?' at Lauderdale House, Highgate on February 25 at 2pm. https://www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk/
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