Hello there! Now, if you’ve ever fancied wandering through ancient history and imagining yourself as a toga-clad Roman citizen, you’re in for a treat. Today, I’m sharing my personal travel experiences with the top Ancient Roman sites in the UK. Let’s set the scene: a good sprinkle of history, a dash of humour, and maybe a mishap (or two!) thrown in for good measure. Are you ready? Grab your sandals and let’s have a natter about these wonderful sites!
First up on our list is, unsurprisingly, the Roman Baths in Bath. Picture this: you step inside, and it feels like you’ve been whisked away to the first century. The warm steam rising as you look at the ancient pools—you can almost hear the gossip of Roman elites lounging about.
Now, not to be a party pooper, but I will say the tea served at the café was about as exciting as watching paint dry. I mean, over a fiver for a brew that tasted like it’d seen better days? Honestly, I’ve had better from the kettle in my flat! But that aside, the site itself is magnificent.
One quirky little feature I loved was the remarkable acoustics near the Sacred Spring. Shout “Ave!” and it’ll echo back. Trust me, I tried it—much to the amusement of passing tourists. Check it out here!
Next, we’ll pop up to Hadrian’s Wall, where the Romans built a massive fortification to keep the Scots at bay. And boy, does it live up to the hype. You can literally walk along the remnants of the wall itself. Let’s be real, there’s something almost exhilarating about imagining you’re patrolling the border while dodging the occasional sheep that’s pretending to be a Roman sentry.
On my visit, I had an unexpected chat with a local historian named Tom. He told me all sorts of tales about Roman soldiers and the wall’s construction. By the end of our conversation, I was convinced I needed a life-size model of Hadrian’s Wall in my garden. Talk about a conversation starter at summer barbecues!
Your visit wouldn’t be complete without taking in the ruins at Housesteads Roman Fort (which, by the way, ihas a smashing view). Pro tip: take a packed lunch. The café serves up some rather dubious “local” dishes that may test your culinary bravery. More info here!
Ever fancied seeing Roman architecture from a distance while enjoying some delish local grub? Chester is your spot! This city is a Roman gem, with walls you can stroll on and the famous Chester Amphitheatre. You can almost picture the gladiators springing to life. I attempted to reenact a gladiator fight (note to self: don’t challenge random strangers).
While you’re here, make sure to wander around the rows—these are unique two-tiered shopping galleries dating back to Roman times. I had a cheeky little browse and bought a rather fetching “Chester for Life” mug to take back home. It has a certain charm, like the rather Victorian-era gentleman who sold it to me, complete with a waistcoat and moustache. True story. Plan your visit here!
Moving on down to Wales, you cannot skip Caerleon. Here lies one of the best-preserved Roman military sites in the UK. When you first arrive, you might think, “Where’s all the fanfare?” Don’t be fooled. Caerleon is a lovely little spot with incredible history waiting to be uncovered.
You’ll find the remains of an amphitheatre, barracks, and baths. Yes, I may have enjoyed the baths a tad too much—I nearly got shooed away by a very polite museum curator when I tried to dip my toes in one of the models. Oops!
Also, don’t miss the remarkable Roman Legion Museum. It’s free, and the exhibits are full of shiny things that’ll make you feel like a kid in a candy shop. Just remember to resist the urge to ask the staff if they have any actual Roman coins for sale! Find out more here!
Back to Northumberland for Vindolanda, a fascinating Roman fort and settlement. The highlight for me? The “Vindolanda Tablets” – letters written by Roman soldiers. Yes, they were very much like us, arguing over who should do the laundry.
As I walked amongst the ruins, I had to giggle at the thought that somewhere, perhaps, a Roman was waiting for a letter from his mate, wondering what to do about his bad back. The staff here are incredibly passionate about archaeology. I even tried my hand at pottery—let’s just say my pot resembled a very clumsy pancake! If I didn’t know better, I’d say it was a proper disaster. But it gave everyone a good laugh. Check out Vindolanda!
Last but not least, I encourage a little jaunt to the lesser-known Silchester in Hampshire. Surrounded by an unassuming countryside, you might pass it by if you weren’t paying attention. But trust me, the remnants of this Roman city are surprisingly well-preserved. You can take a lovely, leisurely walk around the walls, which will make you feel like a real explorer in a secret hideaway.
Honestly, when I went there, I had a bit of a misadventure with my phone. Somehow it slipped from my grasp and rolled down into a bush. You would have thought I’d lost a limb the way I scrambled to retrieve it! The locals nearby got quite the giggle, I have to say.
It’s beautiful and tranquil here, far from the bustling tourist spots. The site also has a surprising number of birds, which made for excellent background music while I sat contemplating my phone retrieval ninja skills. Learn more here!
So there you have it, my friendly guide to some of the best Ancient Roman sites across the UK. Each of these locations has its own charm and fascinating stories waiting to be told. Whether it’s the ruins at Vindolanda, the shopping rows in Chester, or the historical whispers of Hadrian’s Wall, there’s a little piece of ancient Rome just waiting for you to explore.
Now, I want to hear from you! Have you visited any Roman sites in the UK? What was the most memorable part of your experience? Share your juicy stories (or mishaps) in the comments!
