It seems as though the Cotswolds were as popular with the Romans as they are with modern tourists. The whole area is dotted with Roman remains. Some were destroyed or damaged and some are on private land but visitors with an interest in the history and archaeology of the area will still find plenty to discover.
Rome invaded Britain in 43 AD and it did not take them long to discover the Cotswolds. (the name is Anglo Saxon)
Roman Roads
If you are not on a motorway and are travelling in a straight line for any distance there is a good chance that you are on a Roman road. Three major roads converged on Cirencester, the Fosse way, Ermine Street and Akemor Street.
Cirencester (Corinium)
Cirencester was the second largest town in Roman Britain. Its population may have been similar to the modern day. The Romans knew it as Corinium Dubunnorum after the Dubunni a local Celtic tribe).
Little remains for visitors to see apart from small sections of Roman wall but the award winning Corinium museum has a large collection of Roman artefacts including tombstones and mosaics. You should allow a couple of hours for your visit. Children will enjoy the shop which has a collection of pocket money toys. Visitors with a smartphone and headphones can download an audio guide at the museum.
Nearby are the remains of a Roman amphithre which was perhaps the largest in Britain and held up to 8,000 spectators. It is free to enjoy though the grassy slopes are not suitable for wheelchairs and can be muddy.
Gloucester (Glevum)
Gloucester was founded by the Romans as a place for retired soldiers. It is still possible to see parts of the original Roman wall. A particular good example is in a local furniture store among the sofas. The Roman town was laid out in a grid pattern and East Gate, West Gate, North Gate and South Gate still follow the original plan. It would have had a quay and a market and may have been the local capital. The city museum has many Roman artefacts on display.
Chedworth Roman Villa
Archeologists have discovered the remains of about 50 Roman villas in the Cotswolds. Wealthy citizens built villas and retired to a leisurely country life. Things don’t change very much.
The largest and best preserved is Chedworth which is managed by the National Trust. It is thought to have belonged to someone important as it has mosaic floors, underfloor heating and even a flushing toilet. Visitors can walk across suspended walkways and admire pieces of Roman art and building methods.
Visitors should also look out for the large edible snails which are thought to be descendants of those imported by the Romans, two thousand years ago. You can be reassured that they are not sold in the small shop or cafe.
Great Witcombe Roman Villa
The remains of a large villa can be found near the Cotswold way. There is a small charge for parking but entry is free. The remains were discovered by farmworkers in 1818 and include an exceptional mosaic depicting sea creatures. It is thought that the villa was built in about 250 A.D. and that a rich family lived there together with their slaves for about 200 years until the end of the Roman period in Britain.
It is look after by English heritage. Great Witcombe Roman Villa
Further afield
Bath (Aquae Sulis)
The Roman baths in Bath are part of a UNESCO world heritage site and are visited by millions of tourists each year. Local Celtic people used the thermal springs to worship the godess Sulis before the Romans came. The Romans built a town Aquae Sulis around the spring complete with Baths and temple.
It is quite expensive to visit the Baths and as a local I would warn visitors not to taste the spring water as it is foul. You will need to book a ticket in advance.
The forest of Dean
Across the other side of the Severn you will find the remains of a Roman camp in Lydney Park.
The atmospheric Scowles near Coleford are the remains of Roman iron workings.
The last Roman legion left Britain in 408 and Britain sadly entered the dark ages.
