Essential Ancient Sites to Visit in the UK

ByKim Hardiker

Before castles, cathedrals, and cobblestone villages adorned Britain’s landscape, the Romans arrived and transformed everything. For nearly four centuries, they constructed roads, cities, temples, and forts, reshaping Britain’s very essence. Today, their legacy is still visible in tranquil countryside ruins, bustling modern cities, and hidden underground temples.

Exploring Roman Britain is not merely a history lesson: it’s an invitation to discover some of the country’s most extraordinary ancient engineering, culture, and storytelling. With Great British Trips, you can journey through time, tracing the footsteps of emperors, soldiers, and citizens across these fascinating and accessible sites.

Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland & Cumbria

Among Britain’s most iconic ancient landmarks, Hadrian’s Wall once formed the northern frontier of the Roman Empire. Spanning from coast to coast, it served as both a military defence and a testament to Rome’s extensive reach. Today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can still walk beside its stones, exploring forts, towers, and sweeping moorland vistas.

Learn more at Hadrian’s Wall Country for walking routes, fort locations, and official visitor information.

Key sites include Housesteads Roman Fort, perched on an exposed ridge; Vindolanda, where remarkable archaeological finds like Roman letters and footwear have been discovered; and Birdoswald Fort, set within rolling countryside. The trail also makes a superb walking route, blending Roman ruins with natural beauty.

🌿 This is Roman Britain at its most majestic, ideal for those on our Northern England Discovery Tour.

The Roman Baths, Bath

In the heart of the sophisticated Georgian city of Bath lies one of the UK’s most renowned Roman sites: an expansive bathhouse complex built around natural hot springs. Visitors can gaze into the ancient Great Bath, observe original lead pipes and underfloor heating systems, and explore exhibits detailing the lives of those who worshipped and bathed here.

Explore official details at The Roman Baths for opening times, exhibitions, and historical background.

Interactive museum experiences bring to life the story of Sulis Minerva, the deity honoured at the temple. Conclude your visit with a soak at the nearby Thermae Bath Spa, using the same restorative waters.

Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths, South Wales

Once known as Isca Augusta, Caerleon served as a vital Roman legionary base in Wales. Today, it boasts one of the UK’s finest collections of Roman ruins, from well-preserved baths and barracks to a fully intact amphitheatre.

For visitor information and site history, see Cadw – Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths.

At the National Roman Legion Museum, you’ll discover detailed exhibits on military life and Welsh-Roman interaction. The site is accessible, family-friendly, and offers a wealth of educational opportunities.

Incorporate Caerleon into our Wales Highlights Tour for a blend of Roman heritage and natural Welsh beauty.

London Mithraeum

Nested in the heart of the City of London is a lesser-known yet evocative Roman treasure: the London Mithraeum, an underground temple dedicated to the god Mithras. Once hidden beneath layers of modern development, it’s now beautifully restored beneath the Bloomberg headquarters.

Discover more at London Mithraeum for visitor details, exhibitions, and insights into the cult of Mithras.

Enhanced by atmospheric lighting and immersive soundscapes, the temple offers a glimpse into ancient religious life in Londinium. Complement your visit with a stroll along remaining sections of London’s Roman wall or a trip to the Museum of London, home to mosaics, coins, and everyday artefacts from the Roman era.

Ideal for history enthusiasts staying in the capital during a London City Break.

Chester (Deva Victrix), Cheshire

Founded as a Roman fortress, Chester’s Roman heritage remains vividly apparent. Walk the entire circuit of the ancient city walls, visit the Roman amphitheatre (the largest in Britain) and stop by the Dewa Roman Experience, an interactive museum where you can try on armour and explore reconstructions of Roman rooms and streets.

There’s also a lovely Roman garden near the city centre, perfect for a quiet pause after delving into the historic core. Chester fits naturally into a North West England Cultural Circuit!

Colchester (Camulodunum), Essex

Once the Roman capital of Britain, Colchester is a must-visit for those interested in Roman conquest and governance. The town’s Norman castle rests atop a substantial Roman foundation, and the on-site museum is rich with artefacts, from exquisite mosaics to rare coins and glassware.

Nearby, you’ll find the remains of the Temple of Claudius, alongside the Balkerne Gate, the country’s best-preserved Roman gateway, and the Roman Circus Visitor Centre, the only known Roman chariot-racing arena in Britain.

An aerial view to York Minster and the city below.

Fishbourne Roman Palace, West Sussex

Uncovered by chance in the 1960s, Fishbourne Roman Palace is the largest known Roman residence in Britain. Believed to have housed a local tribal leader loyal to Rome, the palace complex features stunning floor mosaics, hypocaust systems, and recreated gardens based on Roman horticulture.

Highlights include the renowned Cupid on a Dolphin mosaic and educational displays depicting elite Roman domestic life. It’s an unexpected gem in the south of England.

How to Plan Your Roman Britain Adventure

Timing: Spring through autumn offers the best conditions for exploring walking trails and outdoor ruins, although many museums and centres are open year-round.

Travel style: All sites are accessible by train or car. Many are located near charming towns or cities that serve as excellent bases for broader exploration. What to bring:

  • Sturdy walking shoes for forts and walls
  • Weatherproof clothing for rural locations
  • A journal – or camera – for capturing artefacts, views, and inspiration

At Great British Trips, we’ll assist you in linking these destinations into a seamless itinerary, with options for self-guided or partially guided tours, depending on how in-depth you wish to delve into Roman Britain.

Rediscovering Britain’s Ancient Foundations

The Romans didn’t just leave behind ruins – they left behind a story. One of roads and governance, of temples and towns, of daily routines and empire-spanning dreams. And those stories are still there to be told, from the windswept fells of Northumberland to the steamy springs of Bath.

Allow Great British Trips to help you design a journey that uncovers Britain’s ancient past. Whether you desire a full Roman Britain tour or wish to add a few historical highlights to your current trip, we’ll tailor it to your pace, interests, and timeline.

Ready to trace the footsteps of legions? Explore our historical itineraries or contact us to start planning your Roman road trip across the UK.

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