Get hands-on at Ambleside Roman Fort on this special open day including stalls, walk and talks, demonstrations and reenactments.
The Armitt and the National Trust partner to bring you a day filled with activities all about the Romans. Connected with The Armitt’s 2025 exhibition “A Battle of Ambleside”, this event will be hosted at the fort and focused upon what may have been happening at the site during its lifetime. This is a great opportunity to get hands-on with history!
Throughout the day, there will be walk and talks, information stalls, hands-on displays, dress-up, reenactments and demonstrations facilitated by The Armitt and the National Trust, along with supporters the Trimontium Trust, Cumbria Amenity Trust Mining History Society (CATMHS) and students from Durham University.
Open Day Activities
10:30-11:15 - Guided tour of Roman ruins with National Trust archaeologist Jamie Lund (meet at NT gazebo)
11:15-11:45 - Launch of new "Roman Ambleside" digital trail walk with Durham University students (meet at Armitt gazebo)
11:45-12:00 - Roman dancing demonstration
12:00-12:30 - Interactive ‘drill’ practice with a Roman legionary – suitable for families
13:00-13:45 - Site tour with National Trust archaeologist (meet at NT gazebo)
13:45-14:15 - Guided "Roman Ambleside" digital trail walk with Durham University students (meet at Armitt gazebo)
14:15-14:30 - Roman dancing demonstration
14:30-15:00 - Interactive ‘drill’ practice with a Roman legionary – suitable for families
Roman ballista demonstrations throughout the day; Roman dress up, archaeology pit, object handling and mining displays available throughout.
Location
Ambleside Roman Fort, Borrans Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0EN, United Kingdom
Additional location/direction information
Entrance is via the Borrans Park gate. The fort site is all grass so the terrain is rough and uneven. The stalls and activities will mostly be around the barn area where the land is slightly more flat. The ground will be more difficult for wheelchair access. Nearest parking area is Waterhead Car Park but there are also bus stops and the Windermere ferry close by so walking is only approximately 13-15 minutes and we encouraged using public transport where possible. Dogs welcome on leads.
Schedule
Sun, 03 Aug
10:00 AM
|
3:00 PM
Duration of event
5 hours
Additional fee information
Donations would be gratefully received.