Journey is certainly academic – my daughter’s schoolwork has impressed a visit to Italy (not least as a result of I by no means say no to a visit to Rome) however earlier than I bit the bullet and booked flights, I’d been eyeing up the most effective Roman locations to go to within the UK as properly.
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As a result of in case your youngsters are finding out Historic Rome at college – otherwise you’re merely a bit bit fascinated by what the Romans did for us – you needn’t depart the UK to search out loads of locations with Roman historical past.
And much more excitingly for youths, it’s not simply displays in a museum or the odd fragment of mosaic in a discipline (nonetheless astonishing these is likely to be for adults). I’ve rounded up the UK’s high Roman websites with youngsters.
Hadrian’s Wall
Hadrian’s Wall might be the most effective identified Roman web site within the UK, stretching for 87 miles, crossing three counties and reaching almost from one coast to the opposite – marking what was the northern fringe of the Roman Empire.
As we speak you possibly can stroll alongside a lot of the wall which makes for a beautiful household time out. Each few miles alongside the wall there are forts and different areas to go to too. I’ve included just a few of the most effective beneath.
Vindolanda, Bardon Mill, Hexham, Northumberland
Simply south of Hadrian’s Wall close to the little village of Bardon Mill sits the Roman fort Vindolanda and the Roman Military Museum.
This can be a implausible spot to see each the wall itself and a Roman fort, plus your ticket offers you entry into the Roman Military Museum.
The museum makes use of some nice 3D expertise to point out what life was like for troopers alongside Hadrian’s Wall whereas additionally being house to some wonderful Roman artefacts, to assist carry all of it to life.
Housesteads Roman Fort & Museum, Hexham, Northumberland
Not removed from Vindolanda, you’ll discover the Housesteads Roman Fort & Museum. There you possibly can see essentially the most full instance of a Roman Fort in Britain, one in every of 16 everlasting bases alongside the wall with views out for miles.
It’s a implausible place to go for a picnic and children may have the chance to decorate up like Roman troopers within the museum.
Even higher, you possibly can see a few of the world’s oldest loos with the most effective preserved units of Roman communal bathrooms – assured to lift a fascinated euuuurgh!
For extra issues to do in Northumberland with youngsters, take a look at this put up
Segedunum Roman Fort Wallsend, Tyne and Put on
On the jap finish of Hadrian’s Wall sits a garrison that was in use for almost 300 years that’s in the present day essentially the most completely excavated fort alongside Hadrians Wall.
The interactive museum at Segedunum features a full-scale reconstruction of a bathhouse and a 35-metre excessive viewing tower that can will let you look out throughout the World Heritage Website.
Tullie Home Museum, Carlisle, Cumbria
Carlisle was house to not one, however two forts alongside Hadrian’s Wall together with Uxelodunum, the most important of all of the forts on the Wall.
Sadly, this fort is buried beneath a suburb so it may well’t be visited. Nevertheless, the close by Tullie Home Museum is house to various wonderful Roman artefacts that embody what stands out as the first written reference to the title Britannia.
Whereas the Roman assortment is more likely to enchantment extra to older youngsters, all the museum has obtained the Telegraph Youngsters in Museums Household Pleasant Museum Award.
Scroll down for extra Roman forts not on Hadrian’s wall or take a look at my mini information to Hadrian’s wall for youths
Roman cities, UK
There’s Roman historical past to be found throughout a lot of England particularly, however particularly of their main cities – some, like Londinium, are as necessary in modern-day Britain whereas others have a reasonably quieter existence 1,600 years on.
Tub and the Roman Baths
The most effective-known Roman settlements within the UK, it’s all due to the Roman Baths – essentially the most full, and most well-known of their sort on the planet.
They’ve a implausible audio information only for youngsters that’s learn out by completely different characters and brings the Baths to life, together with actors taking part in Roman roles to speak to alongside the way in which.
There are additionally has a number of completely different household trails so that you can decide from as you discover, to not point out making an attempt the water on the finish. In truth, once we visited we discovered it greater than we may see in a single journey.
Verulamium, St. Albans, Hertfordshire
As soon as the third largest metropolis in Roman Britain, Verulamium is a good place to go to in case you’re on the lookout for locations with Roman historical past within the south east.
As we speak, you possibly can nonetheless discover the stays of the traditional Roman web site, now a part of St Albans, full with a Roman theatre and metropolis partitions.
The park containing the ruins of Verulamium additionally contains an space for kids to play in – and maybe to think about themselves on the journey from Londinium to Deva Victrix (Chester) alongside the unique Roman street of Watling Avenue.
Within the museum there are free exercise sheets and hands-on discovery areas in addition to dressing up at weekends or holidays, a few of the finest preserved Roman mosaics within the nation and a hoard of gold cash.
The St Albans treasure hunt from Treasure Map Trails is one other nice solution to discover – get 10% off utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS.
Chester and Deva Roman Centre
Chester is likely one of the UK’s high Roman websites; Deva Victrix was house to one in every of its legions, and you’ll nonetheless stroll town’s Roman partitions.
Begin on the Deva Roman Discovery Centre (previously Dewa Roman Exerience), the place you’ll discover reconstructed Roman buildings, in addition to a few of the unique foundations, to not point out seeing artefacts, doing a little fundamental excavation, and even attending to attempt on Roman armour. EDIT At present closed to the general public with a brand new expertise opening in 2025
This hands-on expertise will present you what it was like residing in Chester within the Roman occasions and in case you’re fortunate you would possibly even get to see a soldier patrol.
Even in case you miss the additional actions, as occurred once we went, we nonetheless had an incredible time. Then head exterior to stroll the previous Roman partitions which nonetheless encircle Chester.
It’s also possible to wander into the amphitheatre too, the most important in Britain, which was solely excavated final century. For one more enjoyable solution to discover Chester with youngsters, take a look at the Treasure Map Trails assortment, together with the Chester Eastgate & Amphitheatre map, with a string of sights for kids to identify on the way in which – get 10% off utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS.
Click on right here to learn our overview of a time out exploring Chester and Dewa Roman Expertise in addition to concepts of extra nice issues to do in Chester with youngsters
Cirencester
Often called Corinium Dobunnorum, Cirencester was one other necessary Roman settlement, the second largest after Londinium.
As we speak within the Cotswolds market city, you possibly can go to the location of a Roman amphitheatre that held 8,000 individuals on its outskirts, in addition to the stays of the Roman villa at Chedworth close by (scroll down for extra).
However in addition to the locations with Roman historical past to go to, there’s a terrific museum – the Corinium Museum with its Roman artefacts, some stunning mosaics and knowledge on what the traditional metropolis would have seemed like.
There are cash and jewelry on show, alongside weapons – and reproduction armour for youths to attempt to raise! It’s also possible to play just a few quizzes to see how a lot you’ve taken in within the interactive video games alongside the way in which.
Colchester
Camelodunum – as modern-day Colchester was identified in Roman occasions – was as soon as the capital of Roman Britain, and performed an enormous position within the well-known battles in opposition to the Iceni and their queen Boudicca (as we found on our mini street journey in East Anglia).
There are a few nice methods to discover Roman Colchester with youngsters too, together with an audio tour that you would be able to obtain to a telephone, a self-guided strolling tour and an historical Colchester app.
Alongside the way in which, these will take you half the ruins of a few of Colchester’s Roman buildings, together with the Temple of Claudius, the Roman partitions, one in every of its three theatres, even the stays of homes in Colchester’s Fortress Park.
There’s additionally a customer centre to let you know extra concerning the circus, the one place for chariot races on the island of Britannia.
For extra issues to do in Colchester with youngsters, take a look at my decide of the most effective
London
Lots of Roman Londinium is buried beneath centuries of historical past lately, though if you recognize the place to look, you possibly can nonetheless discover echoes of town’s Roman historical past.
One of the best beginning place is on the London Museum with its gallery devoted to Roman London, which endured nearly all the time the Romans have been in Britannia.
EDIT: The museum is now briefly closed till reopening in its new web site at Smithfield in 2026
In addition to the free museum, which has trails for youths, you possibly can spot a part of the previous Roman wall simply exterior as properly. Or head in the direction of Tower Hill for an additional stretch, together with a statue of the emperor Trajan.
For one more fascinating free spot in London is the temple of Mithras – the Mithraeum was uncovered in Bloomberg’s places of work within the Metropolis of London, with the traditional temple and artefacts on present to the general public. E-book to ensure entry.
For extra recommendations on discovering Roman London with youngsters, take a look at my information or my downloadable mini information to Roman London for youths
Roman villas
Whereas forts may be fascinating and museums filled with a few of the finest Roman artefacts discovered within the UK, there’s nothing fairly like seeing how individuals used to dwell in Roman Britain – the fortunate ones of their luxurious villas no less than!
Fishbourne Roman Palace, Fishbourne, West Sussex
Fishbourne Roman Palace is likely one of the oldest and most full Roman palaces in all of Britain, full with some wonderful mosaics and gardens.
It isn’t identified who the luxurious palace belonged to however that doesn’t take away from the enjoyable in any respect.
For the youngsters, there are some actions to finish as you go to too, together with Mosaic Bingo and Palace Puzzles.
If one Roman house isn’t sufficient, Bignor Roman villa is round half an hour away, with extra mosaics to see.
Chedworth Roman Villa, Chedworth, Gloucestershire
Chedworth Roman Villa within the Cotswolds is one other spectacular instance of an opulent Roman villa with temples and a shrine to a water nymph.
Whereas they’re there, youngsters can comply with various trails that present what life was like within the villa and even discover ways to monitor down indicators of wildlife, in addition to discovering two bathtub homes, a hypocaust (underfloor heating) and a few well-preserved mosaics. There was even a flushing rest room!
Additionally they provide household tracker packs so youngsters can go trying to find bugs and luxuriate in some chicken watching and additional crafts like making your personal mosaic.
Brading Roman villa, Isle of Wight, Hampshire
When you’re visiting the Isle of Wight, there’s one other probability to wander round a Roman villa at Brading – once we visited, they have been operating a particular bear hunt path however there are numerous household occasions all year long.
You possibly can wander round and see the stays of the well-known Roman underfloor heating, make your personal mosaic and take a look at your hand at varied puzzles on the way in which spherical.
Lullingstone Roman Villa, Kent
First constructed quickly after the Roman invasion and changing into extra luxurious over time, it’s believed that Lullingstone villa has had some distinctly memorable inhabitants.
Residence (in all probability) to a one-time governor of Britain, who went on to turn into Emperor of Rome – briefly. He racked up a powerful 87 days in cost… earlier than being murdered.
In addition to galleries of artefacts, you possibly can see mosaics and uncommon wall work, heated baths and proof of each worship of Roman gods and early Christianity. Youngsters can attempt on Roman costumes and play board video games from the time, in addition to watching a particular mild present.
When you’re visiting Kent, make time to take a look at Canterbury Roman Museum as properly, one in every of my high days out in Kent with youngsters
Roman forts
It’s not solely Hadrian’s Wall the place you possibly can uncover extra about life in a Roman fort, with a number of of the UK’s high Roman websites on England’s shoreline and into Wales.
Arbeia Roman Fort, South Shields, Tyne & Put on
Arbeia is an incredible reconstruction of a Roman Fort, though you possibly can nonetheless see a few of the stays of the unique barracks, constructed to assist provide Hadrian’s Wall from the ocean.
For households, it additionally provides a few of the most memorable occasions you’ll discover at any Roman web site, together with gladiatorial battles, falconry demonstrations, and Roman re-enactments that each one ages will love.
There are additionally characters dotted across the fort, each historical Romans and native Britons to carry issues to life for youths.
Caerleon Roman fortress and Baths, close to Newport, Wales
It’s not simply England the place you possibly can uncover locations with Roman historical past within the UK – a brief drive from Cardiff, you’ll discover one in every of three everlasting legionary fortresses in Britain at Caerleon in Wales, the furthest outpost of the Roman empire.
Recognized to the Romans as Isca, the cramped barracks the place the solders slept can nonetheless be seen – to not point out an enormous open-air swimming pool (and a few of the jewelry present in its drains on show within the web site’s Nationwide Roman Legion museum).
In addition to particular household actions throughout holidays, Caerleon can also be house to essentially the most full Roman amphitheatre within the nation. Not fairly on a par with the Colosseum however there’s additionally an app with a treasure hunt across the fortress and amphitheatre.
When you enterprise additional west into Wales, you can too uncover the Dolaucothi Gold mines in Carmarthenshire – the UK’s solely Roman gold mine and hunt for treasure too. For youths over 100cm solely.
Cardiff Fortress
Though Cardiff Fortress itself isn’t a Roman development, the stays of a Roman fort have been discovered there within the nineteenth century, hidden for round 900 years after William the Conqueror had his personal fortress constructed on the location.
In truth, there have been 4 completely different Roman forts constructed right here, courting again to the primary century AD and you’ll nonetheless see a few of the Roman partitions within the Customer Centre.
The Saxon shore forts
Dotted alongside the coast of England, the Romans constructed a string of defences often called the ‘Saxon Shore’ forts.
In Norfolk, you possibly can see the stays of Caister Roman Fort, whereas in Kent, there’s the ruins of the previous Roman fort by Reculver Towers. Each want a good bit of creativeness to conjure up the a whole lot of legionaries they as soon as housed.
A greater spot is Richborough Roman fort in Kent with its stone partitions and museum. You possibly can take an audio tour too – and if you wish to arrive Roman model, you can even hop on a ship from Sandwich!
The Antonine Wall forts – Tough Fortress, Falkirk
When you assume the Romans stopped at Hadrian’s Wall, assume once more – a few a long time later, they’d pushed additional north and construct a brand new wall stretching from the Clyde to the Forth.
The Antonine Wall was constructed of turf reasonably than stone, but in addition had forts dotted alongside its size, and you’ll nonetheless uncover a few of these. Solely in use for round 20 years, they’re much less full than these alongside Hadrian’s Wall although.
Tough Fortress, close to Bonnybridge, Falkirk, is likely one of the finest preserved, and provides an concept of what the wall should as soon as have seemed like.
Alternatively, round half an hour away, there’s Bar Hill Fort. Looking throughout the Kelvin Valley, is one other choice to get a sense of what life will need to have been like for the troops stationed right here.
For a family-friendly tour of Rome itself, take a look at my overview of our Tapsy Tour of Rome
PIN FOR LATER: THE UK’S TOP ROMAN SITES WITH KIDS
Disclosure: comprises some affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee.
Photographs copyright MummyTravels/courtesy Depositphotos; Caerleon picture courtesy VisitWales
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