About
Wroxeter Roman Site and Museum stands on the remains of Viroconium Cornoviorum, once the fourth-largest city in Roman Britain and the capital of the Cornovii tribe following their conquest by Rome in the first century AD. Today managed by English Heritage, this extraordinary site offers visitors a rare opportunity to explore the ruins of a major Roman urban centre in an agricultural setting of remarkable tranquillity, far removed from modern development.
At the heart of the site stands the Old Work — the most awe-inspiring Roman ruin in England. This massive section of wall, standing over 8 metres tall, formed part of the exercise hall of the city's public baths, and it remains the largest piece of freestanding Roman masonry in England. Its sheer scale conveys powerfully the ambition and engineering mastery of Roman builders in Britain, and it has been a site of wonder and curiosity since the medieval period.
The on-site museum houses an outstanding collection of Roman finds excavated from Wroxeter over nearly two centuries of archaeological investigation. Pottery, coins, jewellery, tools, inscriptions, and architectural fragments tell the story of a thriving Roman city that at its peak housed some 15,000 inhabitants. Among the most significant finds are inscribed stones recording the construction of public buildings, military gravestones, and a remarkable collection of everyday objects that illuminate the texture of daily life in Roman Viroconium.
Beyond the museum, visitors can explore the exposed remains of the city's baths, exercise hall, market hall, and street grid, with clear interpretation panels and reconstructions helping to visualise the bustling urban life that once took place here. An impressive full-scale reconstruction of a Roman townhouse has been created nearby, offering further insight into how Roman citizens lived.
The site also preserves important evidence of post-Roman occupation, with recent research suggesting that Wroxeter remained inhabited well into the 5th and 6th centuries after the departure of Roman administration, possibly as a centre of sub-Roman British power. This makes Wroxeter uniquely valuable for understanding the transition from Roman Britain to early medieval England.
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Plan Your Visit
⏱️ Recommended Visit Duration
📅 Best Times to Visit
💡 Visitor Tips
- The Old Work is unmissable — stand beside it for a true sense of Roman engineering at its most impressive.
- English Heritage members enter free. If you plan to visit multiple English Heritage sites, membership quickly pays for itself.
- Visit in summer (May–September) for the full experience including the reconstructed townhouse and tea room. Winter access is more limited.
- Wroxeter is best reached by car. If using public transport, check bus 81 from Shrewsbury — services are infrequent.
- Children love the reconstructed Roman townhouse and the scale of the Old Work. Pick up family activity sheets from the ticket office.
- Combine with a visit to Shrewsbury Museum for more Roman Wroxeter material, then explore the beautiful medieval town centre.
- The Old Work is most dramatically lit in the afternoon light. Come equipped with a wide-angle lens to capture its full height.
- Most of the outdoor site is on grass and gravel — wear sturdy footwear. The museum building is fully step-free accessible.
Highlights
Discover the unique exhibits and collections at this museum.
Collections
The museum holds Roman artefacts from over two centuries of excavation at Wroxeter, including inscriptions, ceramics, metal objects, coins, personal ornaments, and architectural elements. The collection is nationally significant for the study of Roman Britain and is curated by English Heritage with reference to Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery.
Roman Finds Museum
Pottery, coins, jewellery, inscribed stones, tools, and military equipment excavated from Viroconium over nearly two centuries of archaeology.
The Baths and Old Work
Extensive in situ ruins of Viroconium's public baths, including the Old Work — the largest freestanding Roman masonry in England.
Roman Townhouse Reconstruction
Full-scale reconstruction of a Roman townhouse demonstrating building techniques and domestic life in Viroconium.
Themes
Time Periods
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.