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Verulamium Museum and Roman Theatre, Hertfordshire

St Albans was a settlement before the Roman conquest in 43AD, but once the Romans arrived in Britain the city of Verulamium developed as one of the largest towns in Britain. The early Roman town built from wood was destroyed during Boudicca's rebellion in AD60 - AD61, but was rebuilt and recovered its former influence. Once the Romans left in AD410 the city of Verulamium quickly declined. Its ruined buildings were scavenged for building materials used in the new settlement of St Albans growing on the hill above the old city. Stone from buildings in Verulamium can still be seen in the Norman church tower today.

The Verulamium Museum tells the story of the Roman town, and is built on the site once occupied by Verulamium, which is now given over to a park. There are "Discover Areas" in which items can be handled, fine mosaics and wall plasters, full scale recreations of Roman rooms, and video presentations. Rather movingly there is a complete recreation, using original fragments, of Verulamium's Basilica inscription.This was placed over the main doors of the Basilica, or town hall, when Verulamium was rebuilt following destruction in Boudicca's rebellion.

Verulamium Park

In the neighbouring park, where Verulamium once stood, a floor from one of the larger Roman houses has been excavated, and can be viewed in a building in the park a short walk from the museum. Looking out over the park is both a sobering and reassuring experience. Here a great town, part of a great civilisation, simply melted into the ground after the Roman withdrawal in 410AD. It was as though four hundred years of civilisation never happened. To the people who lived here it must have seemed like the end of the world. But it wasn't the end. Children now play on the site of this Armageddon, and there's a nice tea shop too.

Roman soldiers ride around the site on the second weekend of each month.

The Roman Theatre

 

Tiered seating at the Verulamium Roman Theatre

A short walk from the museum is the Roman theatre of Verulamium. Although the walls which once stood around the theatre have gone, the banks where tiered seating once stood remain. A column from the stage area has been recreated. Information boards are placed around the site to describe the function of each area of the theatre. Most of the stone was taken from the theatre to use in the building of St Albans cathedral.

If you stand in the park where Verulamium once stood, you can see the cathedral over the treetops.

 

 

 

Opening Times: Monday to Saturday 10am - 5.30pm, Sunday 2pm - 5.30pm. Last admission 5pm.The museum is closed between Christmas and New Year. The theatre is open daily, 10am - 5pm, except for Christmas and New Year.

Directions: The Verulamium Museum is near the centre of St Albans. Follow signs from M25 junction 21A, or junction 6, 7, or 9 on the M1. Trains from Euston run to St Albans Abbey Station, which is a twenty minute walk through Verulamium Park from the museum. Click here for an interactive map centred on the Verulamium Museum.

For the Verulamium Roman Theatre, walk out of the museum carpark, turn left into St Michael's Road, and then cross the A4147. The theatre is directly opposite on the far side of the A4147. Click here for an interactive map centred on the Roman Theatre.

Access: there is wheelchair access to all areas of the Verulamium Museum, with disabled toilet facilities. Group handling sessions can be arranged for people with sight problems. A wheelchair user should be able to view the theatre, although there are some slopes.

Contact:

telephone: 01727 751810

web site: www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/verulamium_museum.htm