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.
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.
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.
Weather & Climate near Viroconium Cornoviorum #
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.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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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.