Leicester’s long-awaited Roman visitor attraction will officially open to the public on Saturday July 26.
In just three months, visitors will be able to explore a modern museum built around the remains of the Roman bath house at Jewry Wall. The museum features over 100 Roman artefacts—all unearthed in Leicester and Leicestershire—enhanced by cutting-edge digital technology that brings the city’s Roman heritage vividly to life.
Picture credit: Leicester City Council
The Grade II listed building, which once housed the old museum and Vaughan College, has undergone a sensitive refurbishment. Expansive glass walls now connect the ancient Jewry Wall and surrounding grounds with the contemporary interior, while a new pedestrian bridge from St Nicholas Circle makes the venue fully accessible for the first time.
Inside, an immersive film introduces visitors to Roman Leicester, guiding them through excavated sites. Interactive exhibits, games, and projections allow guests to experience daily life in 2nd-century Ratae Corieltauvorum—the Roman name for Leicester.
Illustrations by artist Scott Tetlow depict the people and architecture of Roman Leicester, helping to tell the story of both public and private life in the ancient city.
The museum, managed by the award-winning team behind the King Richard III Visitor Centre, will also feature a café with views of the Roman bath house. The café will be open to everyone, with no museum ticket required.
City Mayor Peter Soulsby expressed his excitement: “This project has overcome enormous challenges—from the global pandemic to the loss of two major contractors during construction. It’s fantastic that we can now celebrate the opening of this incredible new attraction for Leicester.”
“All the artefacts on display were found locally—from the renowned Blackfriars Mosaic, one of the finest ever discovered in Roman Britain, to a striking bronze key handle showing a man wrestling a lion, unearthed just beside the Jewry Wall in 2016.”
“The opening marks a turning point in showcasing Leicester’s Roman roots, giving residents and visitors another world-class reason to explore our city’s 2,000-year history.”
Tickets for Jewry Wall: A Real Roman Experience are now available at jewrywall.com, with doors opening at 10am on Saturday 26 July.
