Wroxeter Roman City — Attraction in Wroxeter and Uppington

At its peak, Viriconium was the fourth largest Roman city in Britain with a population of around 15,000. The settlement began life as a fortress to garrison the Thracian Auxilia and Legio XIV Gemina on the frontline of Cambrian territories yet to be subjugated. It occupied a very strategic location above the ford across the River Severn, forcing the ancient Watling Street from Dover to Chester through the fort. It also had sightlines to over ten nearby tribal hillforts. During campaigns against the Picts in Scotland in 80CE, another legion occupied the fort but left to garrison Chester. The settlement became civilian and grew steadily over the next fifty years, particularly during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. Only a small portion of the city is uncovered today, centering around the public baths. Central to Roman life, these thermae were large and ornate. Remains of the barrel vaulted ceiling can be seen in the brickwork of the largest remaining section of wall. After the end of Roman rule in Britain in 410, the cornovii tribe split into what would become modern Powys and Shropshire. This divide was instrumental in Viriconium's decline. Life in Viriconium continued until the 5th century, but the steady decline of the settlement led to an initial rebuilding in wood and then abandonment altogether in the late 7th century. The fabric of this Roman city can be seen in many of the surrounding stone buildings, particularly St Andrew's Church in Wroxeter. The site is run by English Heritage. There is a car park and shop, a small museum as well as a modern reconstruction of a Roman villa across from the site, above the location...

Fantastic Roman ruins in the village of Wroxeter near Shrewsbury, Shropshire. The site offers a recreated Roman Townhouse giving a people an idea of what life for people during the Roman Times and also an idea of what living conditions were like also during that era. The Roman Ruins are spectacular and one of the best in the country with the wall to the Basilica being the highest in the country and probably the best feature of the site as it looks very majestic and splendid amongst the rest of the ruins. The museum is brilliant and there are some informative displays about the Roman City itself and how it came into being, how it functioned from a legal and administrative perspective and also the different features of it. The museum also houses some interesting Roman artefacts such as Jewellery, Pottery and other items amongst others and they are all great to view and marvel at times. There are some interesting informative information boards dotted around the site about the different features and points of the site. Visitors can also enjoy an audio guide which is extremely informative and interesting gives detail about the history of the site and the different features and makes the visit all the more enjoyable and enthralling. The site offers some nice picturesque views towards The Wrekin and the surrounding area. There is a nice gift shop at the site with a good range of English Heritage gifts at reasonable prices. Overall this is a brilliant and informative place to visit and one of the finest and detailed ruins of Roman Britain attraction in...

We live locally to this Roman heritage site, and, whenever there is a re-enactment day, always try to visit. We decided to visit on the Romans return , August 6th . Not the best event and little atmosphere, but a pleasant enough visit and very informative lady who did a very good talk on the artillery display. However, the reason I am writing here is to pass my opinion on a very unhelpful and indifferent member of staff who served me in the gift shop as I left. A young man, who seemed most put out that I offered him cash and made a point of expressing that he couldn't possibly give me change for ''That amount of money'' I thought it very strange that he was questioning giving me change of around £7.00. Surely that was not asking too much!.This surly young man disappointed the end to a pleasant day with his attitude and manner. Finally, I think it's time the English Heritage put themselves out a little more by adding a little more interest to such events..I can remember the villa being active with Roman ladies making authentic food, showing the make up women wore, weaving and all sorts going on. Likewise several years ago, the Horrible History Gladiator day was fantastic and the atmosphere wonderful . Sadly I couldn't say the same about yesterday visit...Nice touch with the fresh pizza's being there to...