Journey through Britain’s rich Roman past by visiting the ruins of once-thriving towns and settlements that now stand eerily quiet. From Silchester’s silent streets to Wroxeter’s monumental ruins, discover the ghostly remnants of ancient Roman Britain on this unforgettable exploration.
Silchester – Calleva Atrebatum
Begin your historical adventure at Silchester, known in Roman times as Calleva Atrebatum. Located in Hampshire, Silchester was once an important Roman town bustling with life. Today, its quiet ruins and expansive Roman walls offer an evocative glimpse into a lost world. Wander along ancient streets and marvel at the remains of an amphitheater where echoes of gladiatorial contests seem to linger.
Wroxeter – Viroconium Cornoviorum
Continue north to Shropshire and discover Wroxeter, once the fourth-largest Roman city in Britain, known as Viroconium Cornoviorum. The impressive ruins here, including vast bathhouses, market squares, and remnants of grand villas, vividly illustrate the scale and sophistication of Roman urban life. Visitors can walk through reconstructed Roman buildings that help bring the ancient city back to life.
Caerwent – Venta Silurum
Travel to South Wales to uncover Caerwent, or Venta Silurum, one of Britain’s best-preserved Roman towns. The site is home to impressive sections of defensive walls, temples, and housing foundations, offering visitors a fascinating insight into everyday Roman life. With fewer tourists than better-known Roman sites, Caerwent provides a peaceful yet atmospheric experience.
Richborough Roman Fort – Gateway to Roman Britain
Head to Kent and discover Richborough Roman Fort, once a crucial gateway to Britain for Roman troops. As the original landing place for the Roman invasion in 43 AD, Richborough played a pivotal role in Roman Britain. Today, visitors can explore the striking remains of defensive walls, forts, and ancient triumphal arches that bear testimony to its historical significance.
Wroxeter to Hadrian’s Wall
Extend your exploration northward to Hadrian’s Wall, the iconic symbol of Rome’s northern frontier. Along this historic route, several abandoned settlements, forts, and ruins dot the landscape, each offering unique insights into Roman military strategy and everyday life on the empire’s frontier.
Hardknott Roman Fort – Remote Frontier in Cumbria
For those seeking adventure, Hardknott Roman Fort in Cumbria provides a dramatic and remote setting. Perched high in the rugged hills of the Lake District, this isolated fort offers panoramic views and an evocative sense of isolation, highlighting the challenges faced by Roman soldiers stationed at the empire’s northernmost reaches.
Rediscovering Roman Britain
This journey through Roman ghost towns and abandoned settlements offers travelers the chance to step back in time and explore Britain’s rich ancient past. From Hampshire to Cumbria, each location reveals fascinating stories of Roman Britain’s rise and fall, inviting visitors to imagine the vibrant towns that once stood where now only silent ruins remain.