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Verulamium Museum and Roman Theatre, Hertfordshire

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

The Verulamium Museum tells the story of the Roman town. 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

Verulamium itself once stood in a park a short walk from the museum. Here a great town, part of a great civilisation, simply melted into the ground. It was as though four hundred years of civilisation never happened.

A floor from one of the larger Roman houses has been excavated, and can be viewed in a building in the park.

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 theatre's circular walls have gone, 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 each area's function. St Albans Cathedral is built from stone which once made up the theatre

 

Address: Verulamium Museum, St Michael's Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL3 4SW

Address: Roman Theatre of Verulamium, Bluehouse Hill, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL3 6AE

 

 

 

 

 

Opening Times: Museum open 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, summer 10am - 5pm and winter 10am - 4pm, 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:

museum telephone: 01727 751810

to book museum tour: 01727 751820

roman theatre: 01727 835035

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