Roman Britain | English Heritage
Source: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/romans
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:10
Roman Britain | English Heritage
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Romans
Roman Britain
Britain was part of the Roman Empire for over three and a half centuries. From the invasion under the emperor Claudius in AD 43 until rule from Rome ended in the early 5th century, the province of Britannia was part of a political union that covered most of Europe.
Use the links below to discover the impact and legacy of the Roman era on the landscape, buildings, life and culture of Britain. You can also follow links to the many Roman sites that English Heritage cares for – from villas and towns to the forts along Hadrian’s Wall, the empire’s north-western frontier.
Introduction to Roman Britain
Invasion and Conquest
The Roman invasion of Britain
In AD 43 Emperor Claudius launched his invasion of Britain. Why did the Romans invade, where did they land, and how did their campaign progress?
Cartimandua – Queen of the Brigantes
Ruler of the Brigantes, an Iron Age people of northern Britain, Cartimandua was an important ally of the Roman Empire during the conquest.
Emperor Hadrian
Discover the man behind Hadrian’s Wall, which was the most impressive statement of his policy of securing the empire’s existing borders.
Romans: War
Find out how the Romans organised the army, how they controlled the northern frontier of their empire, and how they protected Britannia from attack.
Life in Roman Britain
Roman Bathing
Read about Roman bathing – an essential part of Roman life – and discover what Roman bath-houses reveal about the culture and people of the time.
Country Estates in Roman Britain
An introduction to the design, development and purpose of Roman country villas, and the lifestyles of their owners.
Roads in Roman Britain
Discover how, where and why a vast network of roads was built over the length and breadth of Roman Britain.
The Romans in the Lake District
Find out about the network of forts and roads the Romans built in the Lake District to control this area on the empire’s frontier.
From across the Empire
Explore a map of the Roman Empire to find out where some of the objects found at Richborough Roman Fort in Kent came from.
Roman Amphitheatres in Britain
The amphitheatre came to British shores around AD 80–90. We chart the rise and fall of gladiators, games and amphitheatres in Britain.
Roman Religion
The Romans were tolerant of other religions, and sought to equate their own gods with those of the local population.
Daily Life in Roman Britain
The daily experiences of most people in Britain were inevitably touched by its incorporation into the Roman Empire.
Roman Food and Health
Discover how the Roman conquest changed what people in Britain ate, and how they looked after their health.
People and Stories
The People of Birdoswald
Once sworn enemies of Rome, the Dacians – from modern-day Romania – became trusted protectors of Hadrian’s Wall. Explore their story and legacy.
Septimius Severus
Learn about the Roman emperor who conducted brutal military campaigns in Parthia and Britain, and left a lasting mark on Hadrian’s Wall.
Roman Coastal Defences and the Saxon Shore
Discover what we know about the Roman forts built along the coast of east and south-east England in the 3rd century AD.
Figurine of an African warrior
Recent research into a lead figurine of a black African discovered at Wall Roman Site has led to a reinterpretation of its identity.
The Corbridge Lion and Changing Beliefs in Roman Britain
The exquisite sculpted lion discovered at Corbridge Roman Site offers a tantalising glimpse into the changing beliefs of Romans living in Britain.
THE MANY FACES OF RICHBOROUGH
See some of the remarkable faces – of gods, monsters, men, women and animals – from the objects in Richborough Roman Fort’s museum.
Discovery and excavation
Uncovering the Secrets of Hadrian's Wall
The remains of Birdoswald Roman Fort have revealed more about Hadrian’s Wall and the people who lived there than any other site along the Wall.
THE RICHBOROUGH AMPHITHEATRE: DISCOVERY AND EXCAVATION
Excavations of Richborough’s Roman amphitheatre in 2021 produced some revolutionary results. Find out what the archaeologists discovered.
GATEWAY TO BRITANNIA: RICHBOROUGH’S ARCH
The story of Richborough’s monumental arch reveals the great importance of Richborough to the Romans as the gateway to Britannia.
The Mysterious Absence of Stables at Roman Cavalry Forts
Discover how excavations on Hadrian’s Wall have revealed why it has always been so difficult to discover where Roman soldiers kept their horses.
Listen to a podcast
Listen to these English Heritage Podcast episodes to explore the archaeological discoveries made at our Roman sites, and what they can tell us about life during the Roman period.
Discover Roman Britain with our full podcast playlist
.
Episode 147 - Hadrian’s Wall part 1: The man behind the wall
Episode 154 - Hadrian's Wall part 2: Life on the frontier at Housesteads Roman Fort
Episode 161 - Hadrian’s Wall Part 3: Evolution and end
Episode 164 - Hadrian's Wall part 4: Legacy
Episode 136 - Who were the Romans of Britannia?
Episode 93 - Superstition, magic and the Evil Eye in the Roman world
Episode 126 - Hot tubs and hypocausts: Roman bathing in Britain
Episode 209 - Cartimandua And Boudica: Iron Age Queens
roman places to visit
Search all Roman Places to Visit
Birdoswald Roman Fort, Hadrian’s Wall
Chesters Roman Fort and Museum, Hadrian’s Wall
Housesteads Roman Fort, Hadrian’s Wall
Corbridge Roman Town, Hadrian’s Wall
RICHBOROUGH ROMAN FORT AND AMPHITHEATRE, KENT
Aldborough Roman Site, North Yorkshire
Pevensey Castle, East Sussex
Portchester Castle, Hampshire
Lullingstone Roman Villa, Kent
Wroxeter Roman City, Shropshire
Dover’s Roman Lighthouse, Kent
Wall Roman Site, Staffordshire
UNLIMITED ACCESS TO OVER 400 HISTORIC PLACES
Live and breathe the story of England at royal castles, historic gardens, forts and defences, world-famous prehistoric sites and many others.
FREE ENTRY FOR UP TO SIX CHILDREN
Free entry for up to six children accompanied by an adult member (under 18 years and within the family group).
FREE HANDBOOK TO PLAN INSPIRING DAYS OUT, WORTH £12.95
Complimentary full colour handbook worth £12.95. Plus our award winning Members’ Magazine delivered three times a year.
FREE OR REDUCED ENTRY TO OUR EXCITING EVENTS
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Visit
Menu • Visit
Places To Visit
Visit • Places To Visit
PLACES TO VISIT
Stonehenge
1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield
Dover Castle
Overseas visitors pass
Group visits
Find a place to visit
What's On
Visit • What's On
WHAT'S ON
Family events
Members' events
Events near you
May Half Term
Family Days out
Visit • Family Days out
FAMILY DAYS OUT
Top 10 family days out
Family property guides
Rainy days out
Inspire Me
Visit • Inspire Me
INSPIRE ME
1066 and the Norman Conquest
Podcast
Travel guides
Dog friendly places
Historic Gardens
Blue Plaques
Visit • Blue Plaques
BLUE PLAQUES
About the scheme
Find a blue plaque
Propose a blue plaque
Support the scheme
Weddings & Venue Hire
Visit • Weddings & Venue Hire
WEDDINGS & VENUE HIRE
Wedding venues
Corporate venues
Filming locations
Holiday Cottages
Visit • Holiday Cottages
HOLIDAY COTTAGES
Find a holiday cottage
Cottages by the sea
Late availability
About us
Menu • About us
About Us
About us • About Us
ABOUT US
Our people
Our policies and reports
Annual reports
Contact Us
About us • Contact Us
CONTACT US
General enquiries
Visit FAQs
Group visits
Information for Suppliers
Careers with us
About us • Careers with us
CAREERS WITH US
Search jobs
Our benefits
Modern slavery statement
News
About us • News
NEWS
Press office
Support us
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Support Us
Support us • Support Us
SUPPORT US
Donate now
Guardians
Gifts in wills
Grants
How your support helps
Our Appeals
Support us • Our Appeals
OUR APPEALS
Your Places Appeal
Blue plaques
Volunteer
Support us • Volunteer
VOLUNTEER
Find a volunteer opportunity
Meet our volunteers
Why volunteer?
Volunteer focus magazine
Partnership and sponsorship
Support us • Partnership and sponsorship
PARTNERSHIP AND SPONSORSHIP
Corporate partnerships
Marketing partnerships
Licensing
Learn
Menu • Learn
Learn
Learn • Learn
LEARN
1066 and the Norman Conquest
School visits
Teaching resources
Histories
Learn • Histories
HISTORIES
History of Stonehenge
History of Hadrian's Wall
Women in history
LGBTQ history
Find more...
Conservation
Learn • Conservation
CONSERVATION
Caring for our collections
Collections advice & guidance
Gardens & landscapes
Paintings conservation
Clothes moth research
Story of England
Learn • Story of England
STORY OF ENGLAND
Prehistory
Romans
Tudors
Victorians
Find more...
Shop
Join
Members' Area
Menu • Members' Area
Members' Area
LOGIN TO MEMBERS' AREA
Please login or register for the Members' area. The new Members' area allows you view details of your membership and your payments as well as requesting amendments.
Romans
Roman Britain
Britain was part of the Roman Empire for over three and a half centuries. From the invasion under the emperor Claudius in AD 43 until rule from Rome ended in the early 5th century, the province of Britannia was part of a political union that covered most of Europe.
Use the links below to discover the impact and legacy of the Roman era on the landscape, buildings, life and culture of Britain. You can also follow links to the many Roman sites that English Heritage cares for – from villas and towns to the forts along Hadrian’s Wall, the empire’s north-western frontier.
Introduction to Roman Britain
Invasion and Conquest
The Roman invasion of Britain
In AD 43 Emperor Claudius launched his invasion of Britain. Why did the Romans invade, where did they land, and how did their campaign progress?
Cartimandua – Queen of the Brigantes
Ruler of the Brigantes, an Iron Age people of northern Britain, Cartimandua was an important ally of the Roman Empire during the conquest.
Emperor Hadrian
Discover the man behind Hadrian’s Wall, which was the most impressive statement of his policy of securing the empire’s existing borders.
Romans: War
Find out how the Romans organised the army, how they controlled the northern frontier of their empire, and how they protected Britannia from attack.
Life in Roman Britain
Roman Bathing
Read about Roman bathing – an essential part of Roman life – and discover what Roman bath-houses reveal about the culture and people of the time.
Country Estates in Roman Britain
An introduction to the design, development and purpose of Roman country villas, and the lifestyles of their owners.
Roads in Roman Britain
Discover how, where and why a vast network of roads was built over the length and breadth of Roman Britain.
The Romans in the Lake District
Find out about the network of forts and roads the Romans built in the Lake District to control this area on the empire’s frontier.
From across the Empire
Explore a map of the Roman Empire to find out where some of the objects found at Richborough Roman Fort in Kent came from.
Roman Amphitheatres in Britain
The amphitheatre came to British shores around AD 80–90. We chart the rise and fall of gladiators, games and amphitheatres in Britain.
Roman Religion
The Romans were tolerant of other religions, and sought to equate their own gods with those of the local population.
Daily Life in Roman Britain
The daily experiences of most people in Britain were inevitably touched by its incorporation into the Roman Empire.
Roman Food and Health
Discover how the Roman conquest changed what people in Britain ate, and how they looked after their health.
People and Stories
The People of Birdoswald
Once sworn enemies of Rome, the Dacians – from modern-day Romania – became trusted protectors of Hadrian’s Wall. Explore their story and legacy.
Septimius Severus
Learn about the Roman emperor who conducted brutal military campaigns in Parthia and Britain, and left a lasting mark on Hadrian’s Wall.
Roman Coastal Defences and the Saxon Shore
Discover what we know about the Roman forts built along the coast of east and south-east England in the 3rd century AD.
Figurine of an African warrior
Recent research into a lead figurine of a black African discovered at Wall Roman Site has led to a reinterpretation of its identity.
The Corbridge Lion and Changing Beliefs in Roman Britain
The exquisite sculpted lion discovered at Corbridge Roman Site offers a tantalising glimpse into the changing beliefs of Romans living in Britain.
THE MANY FACES OF RICHBOROUGH
See some of the remarkable faces – of gods, monsters, men, women and animals – from the objects in Richborough Roman Fort’s museum.
Discovery and excavation
Uncovering the Secrets of Hadrian's Wall
The remains of Birdoswald Roman Fort have revealed more about Hadrian’s Wall and the people who lived there than any other site along the Wall.
THE RICHBOROUGH AMPHITHEATRE: DISCOVERY AND EXCAVATION
Excavations of Richborough’s Roman amphitheatre in 2021 produced some revolutionary results. Find out what the archaeologists discovered.
GATEWAY TO BRITANNIA: RICHBOROUGH’S ARCH
The story of Richborough’s monumental arch reveals the great importance of Richborough to the Romans as the gateway to Britannia.
The Mysterious Absence of Stables at Roman Cavalry Forts
Discover how excavations on Hadrian’s Wall have revealed why it has always been so difficult to discover where Roman soldiers kept their horses.
Listen to a podcast
Listen to these English Heritage Podcast episodes to explore the archaeological discoveries made at our Roman sites, and what they can tell us about life during the Roman period.
Discover Roman Britain with our full podcast playlist
.
Episode 147 - Hadrian’s Wall part 1: The man behind the wall
Episode 154 - Hadrian's Wall part 2: Life on the frontier at Housesteads Roman Fort
Episode 161 - Hadrian’s Wall Part 3: Evolution and end
Episode 164 - Hadrian's Wall part 4: Legacy
Episode 136 - Who were the Romans of Britannia?
Episode 93 - Superstition, magic and the Evil Eye in the Roman world
Episode 126 - Hot tubs and hypocausts: Roman bathing in Britain
Episode 209 - Cartimandua And Boudica: Iron Age Queens
roman places to visit
Search all Roman Places to Visit
Birdoswald Roman Fort, Hadrian’s Wall
Chesters Roman Fort and Museum, Hadrian’s Wall
Housesteads Roman Fort, Hadrian’s Wall
Corbridge Roman Town, Hadrian’s Wall
RICHBOROUGH ROMAN FORT AND AMPHITHEATRE, KENT
Aldborough Roman Site, North Yorkshire
Pevensey Castle, East Sussex
Portchester Castle, Hampshire
Lullingstone Roman Villa, Kent
Wroxeter Roman City, Shropshire
Dover’s Roman Lighthouse, Kent
Wall Roman Site, Staffordshire
UNLIMITED ACCESS TO OVER 400 HISTORIC PLACES
Live and breathe the story of England at royal castles, historic gardens, forts and defences, world-famous prehistoric sites and many others.
FREE ENTRY FOR UP TO SIX CHILDREN
Free entry for up to six children accompanied by an adult member (under 18 years and within the family group).
FREE HANDBOOK TO PLAN INSPIRING DAYS OUT, WORTH £12.95
Complimentary full colour handbook worth £12.95. Plus our award winning Members’ Magazine delivered three times a year.
FREE OR REDUCED ENTRY TO OUR EXCITING EVENTS
https://www.facebook.com/englishheritage
https://instagram.com/englishheritage
https://www.youtube.com/user/EnglishHeritageFilm
https://twitter.com/englishheritage