Senhouse Roman Museum

About the museum

Senhouse Roman Museum stands on a cliff above the Solway Firth next to the remains of the Roman fort at Maryport, known to the Romans as Alauna. The fort was founded around AD 122 as a command and supply base at the western end of the coastal defences linked to Hadrian's Wall. From the sixteenth century the land belonged to the Senhouse family, who began collecting the carved and inscribed stones found there in the 1570s. The museum describes this as the oldest collection of its kind in the country.

The main building was put up in 1885 as a naval artillery drill hall. It was converted into the museum in 1990 and now holds the Senhouse family collection. The site has produced more Roman altars than any other place in Britain, and finds have been made over a long period, from the Tudor era to the present century.

The museum shows the largest group of Roman military altar stones and inscriptions from a single site in Britain, together with unusual sculpture from Romano-British religion.

Highlights

• Largest group of Roman military altars from any site in Britain
• Collection begun by the Senhouse family in the 1570s
• Unusual Romano-British religious sculpture
• Clifftop setting with views over the Solway Firth
• Next to the remains of the Roman fort of Alauna

Permanent exhibition

• Roman altars and inscriptions – The largest group of Roman military altar stones and inscriptions from a single site in Britain, found at the neighbouring fort of Alauna.

Founded

1990

Admission & discounts

Residents of the CA15 postcode area enter free with proof of address.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The building is all on one level, with ramps where appropriate, and there is an accessible toilet. Disabled parking in the museum yard is for Blue Badge holders only. Dogs are not allowed, except registered guide and assistance dogs.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is about a 15-minute walk from the harbour, and small brown signs with a Roman helmet mark the way. By car from the south, leave the M6 at junction 40 and take the A66 to Cockermouth and then the A594 to Maryport. From the north, leave at junction 44 and take the A7 to Carlisle, the A595 towards Cockermouth and the A596 to Maryport.

Amenities & dining

Hot and cold drinks and confectionery are sold, and there is a picnic area and toilets on site.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit