Wroxeter Roman City

About the museum

Wroxeter began around AD 47 as a Roman fort that controlled a river crossing. It was soon replaced by a legionary fortress, and when the army moved on in the 80s AD the site became the basis of a civilian city, probably the capital of the local Cornovii tribe. At about 78 hectares it was one of the largest towns in Roman Britain.

The civic centre, with forum, market hall and a large public bath house, was completed in the second century. The baths were extended in the early fourth century, but the main suite later fell out of use, and the city centre was abandoned by the middle of the fifth century. The Old Work, a free-standing wall of the baths basilica about seven metres high, is the best-known surviving fragment.

Today visitors can walk through the excavated bath house, follow an audio tour, and see a replica Roman town house built in 2010 using only Roman tools and materials. A small museum shows personal items such as jewellery, tools and pottery from the site, and the collection also includes a handling set for visitors.

Highlights

• The Old Work, the largest free-standing Roman wall in the country
• Excavated bath house with an audio tour and a raised viewing platform
• Roman town house reconstructed in 2010 with replica furniture
• Museum with jewellery, amulets, tools and pottery from the city
• Family games and a forest trail on site

Permanent exhibitions

• Roman bath house and the Old Work – The excavated public baths of the Roman city, with an audio tour and the tall surviving basilica wall known as the Old Work.
• Roman Town House – A replica Roman house built in 2010 with Roman tools and materials, with dining room, bath suite and furnishings.
• Site museum – Personal items from the Roman city such as jewellery, amulets, tools and pottery, plus a handling collection of writing objects.

Founded

1947

Operated by

English Heritage

Admission & discounts

Prices shown are the lowest advance prices without the voluntary Gift Aid donation. Online prices depend on the day (Saver, Standard and Peak); the standard adult price is £9.26 and the peak adult price is £10.79. Tickets bought on arrival cost more (adult £10.00 to £12.70). Booking online until midnight before the visit saves 15%. English Heritage members enter free. Groups of 15 or more paying visitors get 10% off, with one tour leader and one coach driver free.

Accessibility

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

The visitor centre has ramped access and the site is mostly accessible, although manual wheelchair users are advised to bring an assistant. Paths include grass, cobbles and loose gravel, and some areas inside the walls are not accessible. Accessible parking is about 8 metres from the entrance over uneven surfaces. Wheelchair loan, handrails, benches around the site, an induction loop in the shop, large print and Braille guides, audio tours and social stories are available. A tactile handling collection and sensory borrow bags can be arranged in advance. Visiting the Roman town house means crossing a small road.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

Family games including giant Roman-themed snakes and ladders and hoopla, a forest trail as part of the World Builder Challenge, and a handling collection in the museum.

Getting there & parking

The site is about 5 miles south-east of Shrewsbury; follow the minor road signposted from the B4380. Sat nav postcode SY5 6PH (English Heritage also lists SY5 6PJ).

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Museum shop

The shop sells English Heritage gifts and there is a hot drink machine in the visitor centre but no cafe. Two picnic areas are available. Baby changing is in the accessible toilet.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit