8 Roman ruins in England that you can still visit

Did you know that Britain’s name comes from the Latin word Britannia? For close to 400 years, large parts of Great Britain were occupied by the Roman Empire, who called the area Provincia Britannia. Today, you can still find traces of ancient Rome in the United Kingdom, from temples to forts. While the Roman remains in England aren’t as well-preserved as Italy’s, they’re still worth a visit to learn more about the Roman Empire’s conquests and former glory. Here are 8 best Roman ruins in England you can still visit.

Entrance fee: Free

Location: Between Wallsend and Bowness-on-Solway

Getting here: 25-minute train ride from Newcastle

Built in A.D. 122, Hadrian’s Wall was built to fortify the Roman province of Britannia and named after Emperor Hadrian. The defensive wall is the largest Roman archaeological feature in Britain, spanning 73 miles.

Unfortunately, large sections of Hadrian’s Wall were demolished to build roads in the 18th century. We recommend visiting Cawfields to admire the best-preserved stretch of Hadrian’s Wall. Learn more about the UNESCO World Heritage Site on this 2-hour guided walking tour across the rugged moorland vistas of Northumberland National Park.

Entrance fee: $12

Location: Chedworth, Gloucestershire

Getting here: 2.5-hour drive from London

Cradled in a valley in the Cotswolds, Chedworth Roman Villa is one of the largest and most elaborate Roman villas in Britain. While the villa began construction in the early 2nd century, it went through dramatic changes in the 4th century, extending extra wings and even adding a flushing toilet. Chedworth was probably home to a wealthy Roman, as the villa’s intricate mosaic floors would have required the owner to pay for expert mosaic craftsmen.

Enter the villa to gaze at the elaborate mosaics up close, or wander around the outdoor area to admire the nymphaeum, a water-nymph shrine, as well as the hypocaust, an engineering marvel which heated the villa’s rooms. The National Trust frequently holds events and workshops here, allowing you to experience what life was like in Roman Britain.

Entrance fee: $9

Location: Wroxeter, Shropshire

Getting here: 3.5-hour drive from London

Wroxeter Roman City was once known as Viroconium Cornoviorum, the fourth-largest city in Roman Britain. Spreading over 192 acres, Viroconium Cornoviorum was a prosperous city, and constructed many public buildings including an enormous bathhouse and a colonnaded forum. The city was abandoned in the 7th century, and remained largely undisturbed due to the site’s relatively remote location.

Today, you can visit Wroxeter to see the largest free-standing Roman ruin in England as well as other extensive remains. We recommend dropping by the nearby Wroxeter Roman Vineyard to learn how the ancient Romans produced wine some 2,000 years ago.

Entrance fee: $25.50 (weekday) to $27.50 (weekend)

Location: Bath, Somerset

Getting here: 2.5-hour drive from London

The Roman Baths are one of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the U.K., and can be conveniently visited on a day trip from London. After crossing River Avon around A.D. 43, the Romans discovered a natural hot spring which locals had dedicated to their goddess Sulis. The Romans identified Sulis with Minerva, and constructed a temple and bath complex dedicated to the goddess, naming the town Aquae Sulis (the waters of Sulis).

Join a walking tour to explore the stunning, column-lined Great Bath, and uncover the ancient legends surrounding this piece of Roman history. Don’t miss out on the gilt bronze head of Sulis Minerva, as well as the fascinating curse tablets, which featured complaints of thefts at the baths.

Entrance fee: $9.25 ($14 for a saver ticket that also grants access to the Roman Army Museum)

Location: Hexham, Northumberland

Getting here: 40-minute drive from Newcastle

Built to protect the Stanegate, a Roman road near Hadrian's Wall, Vindolanda was an auxiliary fort under Roman occupation for close to 300 years. This Roman ruin is best known as the site where the Vindolanda tablets, one of the oldest surviving handwritten documents in Britain, were found. The wooden leaf-tablets detailed everything from military matters to personal messages, and are a rich source of information about life on the northern frontier of Roman Britain.

While most of the excavated tablets are displayed at the British Museum, some can be viewed at the onsite museum. As Vindolanda is still an ongoing archaeological site, you might even witness a new tablet being discovered. Nearby, the Roman Army Museum offers a full picture of the life of a Roman soldier; little ones will love the 3D film and interactive exhibits.

Entrance fee: $12

Location: Chichester, West Sussex

Getting here: 1.5-hour drive from London

Larger than Buckingham Palace and the largest Roman residence north of the Alps, Fishbourne Roman Palace was built in the 1st century and discovered in 1805. The grand villa was elaborately decorated with wall paintings, marble panels, and colorful mosaics depicting images of Cupid, Medusa, and other icons.

Unfortunately, a significant portion of the palace was destroyed in a fire. A museum has been built over the excavated palace to protect the remains, and you can explore one wing of the palace which has been preserved. The outdoor gardens have also been replanted in ancient Roman style, so you can stroll through the greenery and imagine what life was like for the villa’s owner.

Entrance fee: $7.50

Location: Bignor, West Sussex

Getting here: 1.5-hour drive from London

Boasting some of the most complete and intricate Roman mosaics in the country, Bignor Roman Villa was discovered in 1811 by a local farmer, whose descendents have continued to own and manage the villa. High thorn fences and buildings were constructed around the villa to protect it from vandalism and natural degradation.

The mosaics on display in Bignor Roman Villa are stunning to see in person, and more treasures are still being uncovered as the site is undergoing excavation. The villa is closed to visitors during the winter months.

Entrance fee: Free

Location: Chester, Cheshire

Getting here: 30-minute drive from Liverpool

Chester Roman Amphitheatre is the largest Roman amphitheater ever found in Britain, and was likely used for cock fighting, bull baiting, and gladiatorial combat. Dating back to the 1st century, only the northern half of the structure has been excavated, as the other half is covered by other historical buildings.

Embark on a walking tour with your guide, who’s dressed as a gladiator. A long, 164-foot mural depicts what the original amphitheater might have looked like; merging seamlessly into the original walls, the mural creates an illusion of a complete structure. Standing in the middle of the amphitheater, you can imagine how atmospheric it must have felt to watch a sporting event here—at its peak, up to 8,000 people could have attended.

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