Aldborough Roman Town

About the museum

Aldborough was the Roman town of Isurium Brigantum. It began as a trading settlement around AD 70 and became the civilian capital of the Brigantes, the largest tribal group in Roman Britain, from about AD 120 to about AD 400. The town lay on the Roman road network at the highest navigable point of the River Ure, which made it an important place for trade, administration and travel in the Roman north. Around AD 120 a planned town was laid out with a street grid, terraced houses, a forum and a basilica, and a stone wall was added in the late 2nd century.

Antiquarian interest in the site goes back to the 17th century. In the 19th century the landowner Andrew Lawson started a museum, first in his house and from 1863 in a purpose-built building on the site. His descendant Lady Lawson-Tancred gave the museum and its contents to the nation in the 1950s. The collection now holds more than 4,000 registered objects, most of them Roman, including coins, pottery, glass, mosaics and stone sculpture.

Today visitors can see part of the Roman town defences in a Victorian arboretum with North American pines, two Roman mosaic floors that remain where they were laid, inside period buildings, and a selection of finds in the on-site museum, which are mainly metal objects.

Highlights

• Museum with Roman finds from the town, mainly metal objects
• Two Roman mosaic floors in their original positions
• Corner of the Roman town defences
• Victorian arboretum with North American pines
• Roman activity packs for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Museum of Roman finds – Finds from the Roman town, mainly metal objects, from a collection of more than 4,000 registered items.
• Roman mosaics – Two mosaic floors that remain in their original positions inside period buildings on the site.

Operated by

English Heritage

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free for adults, children aged 5 to 17, concessions and families; English Heritage asks for a donation towards the care of the site. English Heritage members can enter free as well.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: not available
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Wheelchair access is limited, so visitors are asked to telephone the site beforehand. There are a few steps around the grounds, benches around the site, and grass that can be slippery when wet. There are no specially allocated disabled parking spaces, but visitors with limited mobility may be dropped off at the entrance if they call in advance. Assistance dogs are welcome and a water bowl is provided.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly

Roman activity packs for children are available in the museum, pushchairs are allowed and the grounds have plenty of room for children to play. Parents should keep children in sight because there is a fenced sheer drop to an old quarry just beyond the site.

Getting there & parking

The site is ¾ mile south-east of Boroughbridge on a minor road off the B6265, within 1 mile of the junction of the A1 and A6055. Sat nav postcode YO51 9ES; what3words ///repaid.blackmail.hindered.

Amenities & dining

Male and female toilets are on site. A café and a shop are not listed for this site. Wi-Fi is not mentioned.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit