Last month marked the opening of the Jewry Wall Museum in Leicester – an attraction which blends 2nd century archaeology with 21st century technology to tell the fascinating story of everyday life in the city 2,000 years ago.
The museum – a fully refurbished Grade II-listed former college – has the remains of a Roman bath house at its heart, one of the largest civic Roman ruins in the country.
A Real Roman Experience, it turns out, is a milestone for both Leicester and Britain’s understanding of its Roman past. So when I was invited to make the short trip across the border to check it out, I was intrigued to learn more.
Our attention is immediately captured as the journey commences with an experiential immersive introduction to Roman Leicester through the eyes of ‘Marcellus’ – the son of a Roman soldier and a local woman.
The family continue to act as our virtual guides to the ancient city of Ratae Corieltauvorum as we then progress through the exhibition space which cleverly recreates the vibrant street scene of Roman Leicester through a series of interactive displays, projections and games as well as more than a hundred Roman artefacts on display – all of which were discovered in Leicester and Leicestershire. These include some of the finest Roman mosaics and wall plasters ever found in the UK, as well as jewellery, pottery, bronzework and coins.
This fascinating new museum is a revelation to anyone – like me – who was ignorant to the significance of Leicester’s place in 2,000 years of British Roman history. Thanks to archaeological discoveries and world-class interactive technology, the Jewry Wall Museum has gone a long way to successfully addressing this, by creating an experience that’s both deeply immersive and genuinely educational.
Timed admission to The Jewry Wall Museum – A Real Roman Experience is just £12.50 for adults and £6.25 for under 15s or £32 for a family ticket of two adults and two children, so is the perfect addition to your summer holidays bucket list without feeling the pinch. But it’s a great stop-off for anyone who, like me, enjoys learning more about the history and culture of the areas they visit. And better still, each entry ticket includes a Roman Explorer Pass, allowing unlimited visits for 12 months. There’s also the option of purchasing a combined ticket, offering access to both the Jewry Wall Museum and the city’s King Richard III Visitor Centre at a discounted price.
And there’s a lovely café with views looking out onto the imposing backdrop of the Jewry Wall ruins, which I was amazed to learn is the tallest surviving section of Roman masonry in Britain. Dating back to around AD 160, it is a key part of a public bathhouse complex.
There’s also a cute little shop for that must-have memento to take home.
If you’re into your museums or local history, be sure to check this place out. It deserves its place high on your list of things to do while visiting the city. Even if you’re a local, you might be surprised by just how much you learn!
