Journey Through Time: 12 Must-See Roman Sites in Britain

Britain‘s landscape is dotted with the remnants of its Roman past, from towering fortifications to intricate mosaics. As a historian, exploring these sites is like stepping into a time machine, offering tantalizing glimpses into the lives of those who once called this island the furthest reach of a mighty empire. Join me on a journey through twelve of the most impressive and thought-provoking Roman sites in Britain, and discover the enduring legacy of Rome on these shores.

1. Hadrian‘s Wall: Guarding the Frontier

Stretching 73 miles (117 km) from the River Tyne to the Solway Firth, Hadrian‘s Wall is perhaps the most iconic symbol of Roman Britain. Construction began in 122 AD under the orders of Emperor Hadrian, and at its peak, the wall was garrisoned by around 9,000 soldiers.[^1] Walking along the wall today, it‘s easy to imagine the life of a Roman soldier stationed at this northernmost frontier of the empire, guarding against the threat of the Picts.

Key features to look out for include:

• The milecastles – small fortifications housing up to 30 soldiers, spaced at one-mile intervals along the wall
• The larger forts, such as Housesteads and Vindolanda (more on these later)
• The vallum – a massive ditch and earthwork running parallel to the wall, likely marking a military zone

2. Bath: Aquae Sulis

The city of Bath, known to the Romans as Aquae Sulis, grew up around Britain‘s only natural hot springs. The Romans constructed a massive bathing complex here, along with a temple dedicated to the goddess Sulis Minerva. The baths could accommodate up to 1,000 bathers at a time, and featured sophisticated engineering such as lead piping and underground furnaces to heat the water.[^2]

Today, visitors can explore the remarkably well-preserved remains, including:

• The Great Bath – the largest of the bathing pools, lined with 45 sheets of lead and filled with steaming, mineral-rich water
• The Sacred Spring – the natural hot water source that feeds the baths, still bubbling up at a rate of 1,170,000 liters per day[^3]
• The Temple of Sulis Minerva – where visitors to the baths would leave offerings to the goddess, often in the form of curse tablets petitioning for revenge against wrongdoers

3. Londinium: The Beating Heart of Britannia

London, or Londinium, was founded around 47 AD and quickly became the principal city of Roman Britain. At its height in the 2nd century, Londinium was home to around 45,000 people.[^4] While much of the Roman city lies hidden beneath modern streets, glimpses can still be caught.

Don‘t miss:

• The London Wall Walk – trace the line of the Roman city wall, sections of which still stand up to 35 feet (10.6 meters) high
• The Amphitheatre – the remains of the city‘s amphitheater, which could seat up to 7,000 spectators, lie beneath the Guildhall Art Gallery
• The Temple of Mithras – discovered in 1954 during construction work, this temple has been reconstructed on its original site for visitors to explore

4. Fishbourne Roman Palace: Luxury Living

Just outside Chichester lies Fishbourne Roman Palace, the largest residential Roman building discovered in Britain. Dating to around 75 AD, the palace boasted over 100 rooms spread across four wings, many featuring intricate mosaic floors. The palace may have been built for Tiberius Claudius Cogidubnus, a pro-Roman local king.[^5]

Highlights include:

• The Cupid on a Dolphin mosaic – one of the most famous and well-preserved mosaics, featuring a cheeky cupid riding a dolphin
• The formal gardens – the earliest Roman gardens found anywhere in the country, replanted according to the original bedding trenches
• The museum – housing artifacts found on site, including pottery, jewelry, and fragments of wall painting

5. Vindolanda: Voices from the Edge of the Empire

Vindolanda, a Roman fort just south of Hadrian‘s Wall, has become renowned for the incredible preservation of organic remains at the site. Thanks to the anaerobic soil conditions, everything from leather shoes to wooden writing tablets has survived. The Vindolanda writing tablets, in particular, have transformed our understanding of life on the Roman frontier.

Key finds include:

• The birthday party invitation – written around 100 AD by the wife of a commander, this tablet invites her sister to a birthday celebration
• The request for more beer – in this tablet, a cavalry decurion requests more beer to be sent to his men
• Discarded shoes – over 6,000 shoes have been found, many with wear patterns indicating long marches and hard labor[^6]

6. Richborough: Gateway to Britain

When the Romans first invaded Britain in 43 AD, they landed at Richborough in Kent. The site became a key port and supply base, complete with an amphitheater and a huge triumphal arch marking the start of Watling Street, the main Roman road to London. At its peak, Richborough was one of the busiest ports in Roman Britain, bustling with merchants and the comings and goings of the military.

Be sure to see:

• The earth banks marking the walls of the 3rd-century shore fort, within which the settlement developed
• The foundations of the monumental arch, which would have towered around 85 feet (25 meters) high[^7]
• The remains of the amphitheater, one of the earliest known from Roman Britain

7. Cirencester: Corinium Dobunnorum

Cirencester, known to the Romans as Corinium Dobunnorum, was the second-largest town in Roman Britain after London. It was the capital of the Dobunni tribe and a key trading center. The Corinium Museum houses one of the finest collections of Romano-British antiquities, including intricate mosaics and rare wall paintings.

Highlights include:

• The Hunting Dogs mosaic – featuring remarkably lifelike dogs chasing a hare and a deer
• The Hare mosaic – a charming depiction of a hare nibbling on a grape vine
• The Roman amphitheater – just outside the town, the earthworks of one of the largest known amphitheaters in Roman Britain can still be traced

8. Wroxeter: Viroconium Cornoviorum

Wroxeter, once the fourth-largest city in Roman Britain, was the tribal capital of the Cornovii. Known as Viroconium Cornoviorum, the settlement covered over 180 acres at its height in the 2nd century.[^8] Today, visitors can explore the remains of the bathhouse and exercise yard, as well as the ‘Old Work‘ – the largest free-standing Roman ruin in England, thought to be part of a vast basilica.

Don‘t miss:

• The reconstructed townhouse – built on original foundations, this townhouse vividly evokes the luxurious surroundings of a wealthy Romano-British family
• The baths – the second-largest known baths in Roman Britain, featuring an 80-meter-long exercise hall
• The collection of Roman tombstones in the site‘s museum

9. Chedworth Roman Villa: Refined Country Living

Deep in the Cotswolds countryside lies Chedworth Roman Villa, one of the grandest Romano-British villas discovered to date. The villa was built in phases from the 2nd to the 4th century AD, reaching its peak in the 4th century with the addition of a separate bathhouse wing, decorated with stunning mosaics.

Must-sees include:

• The mosaics – Chedworth boasts some of the most intricate and well-preserved mosaics in the country, including the famous triclinium mosaic featuring Greek mythology scenes
• The bathhouse – with its pillared hypocaust (underfloor heating system), plunge pools, and changing rooms
• The water shrine – a shrine to the water nymphs, featuring a pool and a mosaic-lined niche for offerings

10. Caerleon: Isca Augusta

Caerleon, known to the Romans as Isca Augusta, was one of only three permanent legionary fortresses in Roman Britain (the others being at York and Chester). Home to the Second Augustan Legion from around 75 AD, Caerleon was a major military base, covering 50 acres and housing over 5,000 soldiers.[^9]

Key features include:

• The amphitheater – the most complete Roman amphitheater in Britain, used for military training as well as entertaining the troops
• The bathhouse – the immense natatio (open-air swimming pool) was the largest in Britain, measuring 41 by 25 meters
• The barracks – the only Roman legionary barracks visible in Europe, offering a glimpse into the daily lives of the soldiers

11. Verulamium: Opulence and Artistry

On the outskirts of modern-day St Albans lie the remains of Verulamium, the third-largest town in Roman Britain. First settled by the Catuvellauni tribe, then established as the Roman town of Verulamium after the conquest, the settlement grew to cover around 125 acres.[^10] The Verulamium Museum houses an exceptional collection of Roman artifacts, including stunning mosaics and frescoes.

Highlights include:

• The Sandridge Hoard – discovered in 2012, this hoard of 159 gold coins is one of the largest from Roman Britain
• The mosaics – the museum‘s collection includes the breathtaking ‘Ocean‘ mosaic, featuring a bearded sea god surrounded by sea creatures
• The hypocaust – the underfloor heating system of a Roman townhouse, remarkably still in situ

12. Colchester: Britain‘s First Roman Capital

Colchester, known to the Romans as Camulodunum, has the distinction of being the first Roman capital of Britain. The city was founded on the site of an important Celtic settlement and later became a colonial outpost for retired Roman soldiers. In 60/61 AD, the city was burned to the ground by the Iceni tribe led by Queen Boudica, in revolt against Roman rule.[^11]

Must-sees include:

• The Castle Museum – built on the foundations of the massive Temple of Claudius, the museum houses an extensive collection of Roman artifacts
• The Roman walls – Colchester‘s town walls are the oldest and longest surviving in Britain, with sections still standing up to 6 meters high
• The Balkerne Gate – the largest surviving Roman gateway in Britain, once an impressive entrance to the city

Britain‘s Roman sites offer a tangible link to this fascinating period of history, one that shaped the landscape and identity of the islands for centuries to come. As a historian, I never cease to be amazed by the ingenuity, artistry, and sheer scale of Roman engineering and architecture. But more than that, it‘s the human stories that resonate across the centuries – the birthday invitations, the labor disputes, the prayers for divine intervention – that remind us of our shared humanity.

By studying and preserving these sites, we keep that connection alive. We learn not only about the might of Rome, but about the complex, diverse society that emerged in Britain under its rule. The Romano-British culture that developed was a unique fusion, neither entirely Roman nor entirely indigenous, and its legacy can still be traced in everything from place names to art and architecture.

So whether you‘re a seasoned historian or a curious newcomer, I encourage you to visit these sites and experience that connection for yourself. Walk in the footsteps of the legionaries on Hadrian‘s Wall, marvel at the artistry of the Chedworth mosaics, and read the birthday party invitations from Vindolanda. In doing so, you become part of the ongoing story of Roman Britain – a story that continues to unfold with every new discovery.

[^1]: English Heritage. (2021). Hadrian‘s Wall: History. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/hadrians-wall/history/
[^2]: The Roman Baths. (2021). The Sacred Spring. https://www.romanbaths.co.uk/sacred-spring
[^3]: The Roman Baths. (2021). The Water. https://www.romanbaths.co.uk/water
[^4]: Museum of London. (2021). Londinium: A brief history of Roman London. https://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/application/files/5714/5522/7781/Londinium_-_a_brief_history_of_Roman_London_1.pdf
[^5]: Sussex Past. (2021). Fishbourne Roman Palace: History. https://sussexpast.co.uk/properties-to-discover/fishbourne-roman-palace/the-history
[^6]: Vindolanda Charitable Trust. (2021). Vindolanda Excavations: Finds. https://www.vindolanda.com/excavations/finds
[^7]: English Heritage. (2021). Richborough Roman Fort and Amphitheatre. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/richborough-roman-fort-and-amphitheatre/history/
[^8]: English Heritage. (2021). Wroxeter Roman City. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/wroxeter-roman-city/history/
[^9]: Cadw. (2021). Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths. https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/caerleon-roman-fortress-baths
[^10]: Verulamium Museum. (2021). A Brief History of Roman Verulamium. https://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/A%20Brief%20History%20of%20Roman%20Verulamium.pdf
[^11]: Colchester Museums. (2021). Roman Colchester. https://colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/collections/categories/roman-colchester/