Ribchester Roman Museum
Small museum in Ribchester village showing finds from the Roman fort and settlement of Bremetenacum, Lancashire's only Roman antiquities museum.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Ribchester Roman Museum was opened in 1915 under the direction of Margaret Greenall, a member of the Warrington brewing family, who wanted to stop archaeological finds leaving the village. The first museum was a single room beside St Wilfrid's Church. A prefabricated extension was added in the 1960s, and by 1990 the museum had been rebuilt with a two-storey extension that joined it to the neighbouring cottage once used as the curator's home. Ribchester Museum Trust took over after the National Trust gave up the property following almost seventy years of ownership.
In 2001 the museum reopened after its largest redevelopment, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, European money and other grants. It was extended into an adjacent building and a new wing was added, the permanent displays were replaced completely, and finds from the 1989 excavation of St Wilfrid's graveyard went on show for the first time.
The museum tells the story of the Roman fort of Bremetenacum Veteranorum and its civilian settlement beside the River Ribble. A replica of the famous Ribchester helmet is on display, while the original is held by the British Museum. Remains of the fort granaries can be seen in the excavated area behind the museum.
Highlights
- Finds from the Roman fort and settlement of Bremetenacum
- Replica of the Ribchester helmet
- Artefacts from the excavation of St Wilfrid's graveyard
- Exposed remains of the fort granaries behind the museum
- Roman object handling and dressing-up for school groups
Permanent exhibition
- Roman Ribchester – Finds from the Roman cavalry fort and civilian settlement, including a replica of the Ribchester helmet and objects from the excavation of St Wilfrid's graveyard.
- Founded
- 1915
- Operated by
- Ribchester Museum Trust
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £3.50Old-age pensioners |
| Children & teens | £2.50free up to age 5 · Children over 5 pay £2.50; children aged 5 and under enter free. |
| Seniors | £3.50 |
| Groups | –Organised and school groups must book in advance. |
Some special events charge separately.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The entrance is level with no steps. The ground-floor galleries are accessible throughout, and the first floor is reached by a lift in the prehistory gallery. A unisex accessible toilet is next to the prehistory gallery. Only assistance dogs are allowed on site.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Stroller-friendly
The museum runs activities for children throughout the year and is a popular educational resource for schools. The entrance is level, so pushchairs can enter easily.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Buses run to Ribchester from Blackburn, Preston and Clitheroe; the museum advises checking times beforehand. The nearest railway stations named by the museum are Blackburn, Preston, Clitheroe, Whalley, and Ramsgreave and Wilpshire.
By car
Parking available
Parking is immediately outside the museum in the car park of St Wilfrid's parish church, where donations are welcome. A long-stay public car park opposite the playing field in the village can take two coaches.
The museum is about 15 minutes by car from junction 31 of the M6.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The museum runs two-hour school sessions for Key Stage 2 with an introductory talk, object handling, dressing up in Roman armour, a visit to the fort remains and a museum tour. Prior booking is essential and groups can be very busy in term time. Dogs are not allowed in the museum or the archaeological site behind it, except assistance dogs. An annual Roman festival takes place on the village playing fields. |
