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Wroxeter Roman City lies about 5 miles south-east of Shrewsbury, here lies the remains of what was the fourth largest town in Britain in Roman times. Wroxeter, or to give it its Roman name, Viroconium, was the Roman capital of a large area of central Britain, it covered almost two hundred acres, had around two miles of walls and probably had a population numbering 5,000.
The original Wroxeter had a chequered history, it appears have begun in AD 60, flourished for about three decades, then slumped into obscurity until the Emperor Hadrian came to Britain in 121, who set about rebuilding. The city quickly developed, it prospered for almost 150 years, but with the gradual withdrawal of the Romans from Britain, it slowly fell into decay. By the time of the 5th century all that was left was what appeared to be a deserted landscape, plundered of its stone by Anglo-Saxons for building Shrewsbury.
Excavations of the site have been slow, they first began in 1863 and continued at steady intervals. What we have today is undoubtedly impressive, visitors can walk in the forum where Roman legionaries walked some 2,000 years ago, see a market, look into the pool where they swam and stroll through the inter-connecting areas of the bath houses and the exercise hall. As you wander around you will note the layout of the streets and marvel at how so much from so long ago has been carefully uncovered by the archaeologists of today to be preserved for the benefit of future generations.
The site is in the care of English Heritage. There is an onsite museum which offers an audio tour of Wroxeter as it was when the Romans ruled. Dramatic discoveries give an insight into the daily lives of Roman citizens, how they worked, shopped and played, you even get to learn details of their health and beauty routines.
A visit to Wroxeter Roman City makes a rewarding day out for all the family, there are special event days, particularly exciting for children will be the "Roaming Romans Trail" held between Saturday 29th July and Sunday 13th August 2006.
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