Top 10 Roman Sites to visit in England

Housesteads Roman Fort, located along Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, is one of the most iconic and well-preserved Roman forts in Britain. Dating back to the 2nd century AD, it was an important military outpost on the northern frontier of the Roman Empire. The fort was built to house a garrison of soldiers tasked with guarding the wall, which marked the boundary between Roman Britain and the unconquered territories of what is now Scotland. Housesteads was strategically positioned to oversee the surrounding landscape, and its high vantage point offers visitors stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The fort’s remains include parts of the stone walls, barracks, granaries, and a commanding officer’s residence, giving a clear picture of the military life at the site.

Today, Housesteads Roman Fort is a popular archaeological site managed by English Heritage. The site provides visitors with an immersive experience, offering a glimpse into the day-to-day life of Roman soldiers stationed on the edge of the empire. The fort’s museum displays numerous artifacts, including inscriptions, pottery, and tools, while the well-preserved ruins, including the latrine and the hospital (valetudinarium), reveal the advanced planning and infrastructure that supported the Roman military. The fort’s location along Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage site, further enhances its significance, making Housesteads a key location for understanding the Roman presence in Britain.

Vindolanda, located near the town of Bardon Mill in Northumberland, England, is one of the most significant Roman sites in Britain. The site was home to a series of forts that were part of the Roman Empire’s northern frontier, along Hadrian’s Wall. Vindolanda’s strategic location along the wall made it a vital military post, and its history spans several centuries, from the 1st to the 4th century AD. Archaeological excavations have revealed an astonishing wealth of artifacts, including wooden tablets inscribed with Latin, offering rare insights into the daily lives of the soldiers and civilians stationed at the fort. The fort itself housed Roman soldiers, their families, and civilian workers, who lived and worked in this bustling outpost.

Today, Vindolanda is a popular tourist destination, with an excellent museum displaying many of the excavated artifacts, including weapons, coins, pottery, and the famous Vindolanda tablets. The site’s excavation continues to reveal new finds, making it an ongoing window into the Roman period in Britain. Visitors can explore the extensive remains of the forts, including parts of the stone and timber structures, gates, and walls that once formed part of this vital military base. The site’s connection to Hadrian’s Wall, along with its rich history of military and civilian life, makes Vindolanda an essential stop for anyone interested in Roman Britain.

Wroxeter Roman City, known in antiquity as Viroconium Cornoviorum, was once the fourth-largest settlement in Roman Britain. Originally established as a legionary fortress around AD 58, it later developed into a thriving civilian town, serving as a key administrative and commercial center. At its height, Wroxeter boasted a population of around 15,000 people, featuring grand public baths, a forum, markets, and impressive townhouses. The ruins that remain today provide fascinating insights into Roman urban life, with the most striking feature being the immense bathhouse walls, which stand over 20 feet high—one of the tallest surviving Roman structures in Britain.

Visitors to Wroxeter can explore the well-preserved layout of the city, including its streets, the bath complex, and the foundations of various buildings. The site also features a reconstructed Roman town house, offering a glimpse into the daily lives of its former inhabitants. With an informative museum showcasing excavated artifacts, Wroxeter provides a captivating experience for anyone interested in the sophistication and legacy of Roman Britain.

Chedworth Roman Villa, located in Gloucestershire, England, is one of the most remarkable and well-preserved Roman archaeological sites in Britain. The villa dates back to the 2nd century AD and provides a fascinating glimpse into Roman life in rural Britain. It was once a grand country estate, with numerous buildings and features, including a bathhouse, mosaics, and hypocaust systems that heated the rooms. The site offers visitors a chance to explore extensive remains of the villa, including its intricate floor mosaics, which are some of the best-preserved examples of their kind in the UK. The villa’s strategic location in the Cotswolds would have made it an ideal place for a wealthy Roman family to live, farm, and trade.

The villa’s excavation and preservation have been ongoing since its discovery in the 19th century. Today, the site is managed by the National Trust, with a visitor center offering exhibitions and information about the villa’s history. The well-preserved condition of many of its features allows visitors to imagine the grandeur of Roman life in the area. Highlights include the mosaic floors, which depict scenes of mythology and daily life, as well as the sophisticated heating systems used by the Romans to maintain comfort in the villa. The site’s charm lies not only in its physical remains but also in its ability to transport visitors back to the height of Roman influence in Britain.

Camulodunum, modern-day Colchester in Essex, was one of the most important Roman settlements in Britain. It was established as a Roman colony in 49 AD, making it the first Roman colonia in Britain. Camulodunum served as the capital of Roman Britain until the construction of Londinium (London), and its strategic position in the southeast of England made it a key center for trade, administration, and military activity. The town was built over the site of a pre-existing Iron Age settlement, and its Roman development included the construction of impressive buildings such as a large temple dedicated to the Emperor Claudius. The remains of these structures, including the foundations of the temple and the town’s defensive walls, offer a glimpse into the grandeur of Roman urban planning and architecture.

The history of Camulodunum is also marked by the famous Boudican revolt in 60-61 AD, led by the Iceni queen Boudica. After a brutal sack of the town, Camulodunum’s role as a Roman capital was diminished, and the center of power shifted to Londinium. Today, Colchester is home to the Colchester Roman Heritage site, which includes the remains of the Roman wall, the ruins of the temple, and a museum housing a wealth of Roman artifacts discovered in the area. The site remains one of the most significant in Britain for understanding the early period of Roman occupation and the dramatic events that shaped the Roman experience in the province.

Richborough Roman Fort, located in Kent, is a significant archaeological site that marks the point of entry for the Roman invasion of Britain in 43 AD. The fort, originally known as Rutupiae, was strategically placed on the southern coast to protect the eastern approach to Britain and serve as a key military and administrative hub. Richborough’s location near the Wantsum Channel made it an ideal site for controlling access to the Roman province, and the fort itself was part of the defensive system built to secure the area after the initial conquest. The site also served as an important port for the Roman fleet, further solidifying its military and logistical significance.

Today, Richborough Roman Fort is a popular visitor attraction, offering a glimpse into its role as a gateway to Roman Britain. The site features substantial remains, including sections of the town’s defensive walls, the impressive Romano-British gatehouse, and the foundations of buildings once used by soldiers and civilians. Visitors can explore the fort’s grounds, learn about its history through informative displays, and admire the monumental triumphal arch that once marked the entrance to the fort. Richborough provides a rare and fascinating opportunity to connect with the very beginning of Roman occupation in Britain, making it an essential stop for those interested in the early Roman period.

Bath, known in Roman times as Aquae Sulis, is one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the UK and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is renowned for its natural hot springs, which the Romans harnessed to create a magnificent bath complex dedicated to the goddess Sulis Minerva. The Romans built elaborate baths and a temple around the springs, making Bath a major destination for those seeking the healing properties of the waters. The Roman Baths site, with its well-preserved remains, includes the Great Bath, the caldarium (hot room), the frigidarium (cold room), and the steam room, all showcasing the advanced engineering techniques employed by the Romans to manage water and create a comfortable bathing experience.

Today, the Roman Baths continue to be one of the most popular tourist attractions in Britain. Visitors can explore the temple ruins, the sacred spring, and the ancient bathhouse, which still retains much of its original grandeur. The museum at the site displays a wealth of artifacts, including the famous Gorgon’s head and numerous inscriptions that offer insight into the religious and social practices of the time. Bath’s combination of Roman history, beautiful Georgian architecture, and stunning natural scenery make it a unique and fascinating destination for anyone interested in Roman Britain and its legacy.

Verulamium, located near the modern town of St Albans in Hertfordshire, was one of the largest and most important towns in Roman Britain. The town, which flourished from the 1st to the 4th century AD, became a thriving center of trade, culture, and administration. It was granted the status of a Roman municipium, which allowed its citizens certain Roman privileges, and later, it became a key location in the Roman province of Britannia. The town was equipped with impressive infrastructure, including a large forum, a basilica, bathhouses, and a theatre, many of which can still be explored today. Verulamium’s location along major Roman roads and its proximity to London made it a vital urban center in the region.

Today, Verulamium is an archaeological site and museum that showcases the extensive remains of the town’s Roman past. The Verulamium Museum displays a wealth of artifacts, including pottery, coins, mosaics, and inscriptions, providing a detailed picture of life in Roman Britain. Visitors can explore the ruins of the town, including the well-preserved city walls, the remnants of the Roman theatre, and a series of stunning mosaics found within villas in the area. The site offers a fascinating journey into the Roman era, highlighting the architectural, cultural, and social developments that shaped one of Roman Britain’s most significant urban centers.

Hardknott Roman Fort, located in the rugged Cumbrian mountains in the northwest of England, is one of the most remote and striking Roman sites in Britain. Originally built around 120 AD during the reign of Emperor Hadrian, the fort was part of the defensive system along the Roman frontier in northern Britain. Hardknott was strategically positioned to control a major pass through the mountains, guarding the route between the Roman settlement of Ravenglass and the northwestern frontier. The fort housed a garrison of soldiers tasked with defending the region and maintaining Roman control in the area. Despite its isolated location, the fort’s remains, including its stone walls, gates, and bathhouse, showcase the impressive engineering and military planning of the Romans.

Today, Hardknott Roman Fort offers a fascinating glimpse into life on the Roman frontier, with its commanding position providing breathtaking views of the surrounding fells and valleys. Visitors can explore the well-preserved remnants of the fort, including the headquarters building (principia), the granaries, and the bathhouse, which reflect the fort’s importance as both a military outpost and a center of daily life for its inhabitants. The site is managed by English Heritage and is accessible to visitors who are willing to make the trek to its remote location. Hardknott Roman Fort’s dramatic setting and significant archaeological remains make it a unique and memorable destination for anyone interested in Roman Britain.