Viroconium Cornoviorum

Archaeological Site Roman town ruins near modern Wroxeter village

Roman town ruins near Wroxeter in Shropshire; visitors explore earthworks, excavated foundations and the on-site museum on urban life in Roman Britain.

Main image

Viroconium Cornoviorum is the Roman town at present-day Wroxeter in Shropshire, England, and was one of the largest urban centres in Roman Britain.

Founded and developed under Roman administration, the settlement served as the civitas centre for the local Cornovii tribe and was occupied from the Roman period into the early medieval era, declining after the 5th century AD. Archaeological excavation has revealed domestic, civic and industrial remains and many finds now displayed with on-site interpretation.

The archaeological site lies beside the modern village of Wroxeter, roughly 6-8 kilometres east-southeast of Shrewsbury in Shropshire.

  • Visiting tip: Much of the site survives as earthworks and exposed foundations rather than standing stone architecture, so dry weather is best for walking and seeing features.
  • Period of occupation: Occupied from the Roman conquest through the early medieval period, the site was a major civitas centre in Roman Britain between the 1st and 5th centuries AD.

What to See #

  • Urban area and foundations: Contains the remains of an extensive Roman urban area with visible street alignments, house foundations and public buildings dating to the Roman period.
  • Baths complex: Excavated public bath complex preserved as foundations and earthworks from the 1st to 5th centuries AD.
  • Museum and visitor displays: On-site interpretation and displays present finds from the excavations and explain the site's development during Roman Britain.
Viroconium Cornoviorum
52.6742, -2.6442

How to Get to Viroconium Cornoviorum #

The Roman site Viroconium (Wroxeter) lies about 5 miles (≈8 km) east of Shrewsbury. By car it is a short drive (about 15-20 minutes) from Shrewsbury along local roads; there is limited parking at the archaeological site. The nearest mainline rail station is Shrewsbury - from there take a taxi or local bus service (services are infrequent) for the final few miles.

Best Time to Visit Viroconium Cornoviorum #

The best time to visit Viroconium Cornoviorum (Wroxeter) is late spring through summer when weather is mild and site conditions are driest.

Late spring-summer (best)
May-Sep · 10-22°C
Warmer, longer days make exploring the open-air Roman site easier and generally drier underfoot.
Shoulder seasons
Apr, Oct · 5-15°C
Cooler but often pleasant and with fewer visitors; paths can still be muddy after rain.
Winter
Nov-Mar · -1-8°C
Cold, wetter conditions that can make outdoor ruins muddy and less comfortable to visit.

Weather & Climate near Viroconium Cornoviorum #

Climate

Viroconium Cornoviorum's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (660 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 34 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyMayJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
30°
Warmest Month
-9°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

62 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.1h daylight

February

February is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

44 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.7h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

51 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

47 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
13.8h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
16°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

47 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
15.5h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
19°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

55 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
16.5h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

68 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

45 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
16.0h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

61 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.1
UV Index
High
14.5h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

60 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
12.5h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
14°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

60 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.4h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

63 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.6h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with 65 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
95%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

65 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.5h daylight

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