Photographs of Wroxeter

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Viroconium Cornoviorum was a Roman town on the River Severn, one corner of which is now occupied by the small village of Wroxeter in Shropshire, about 5 miles from Shrewsbury. At its peak, Viroconium is estimated to have been the fourth largest Roman settlement in Britain with a population of more than people (almost the same size as Pompeii). Of course it's nowhere near as complete with few walls standing more than a few feet high.
Viroconium was established about AD 58 as a legionary fortress for the XIVth legion during their invasion of what is now Wales. They were later replaced by the XXth legion, until the fortress was abandoned by the military around AD 88. At this time the civilian settlement, which had grown up around the fort, took over the site. Emperor Hadrian visited in AD 122 and this encouraged further growth. By AD 130 it had expanded to cover an area of more than 173 acres (70 ha).
Some of the town has been excavated but most of the town still remains buried. The most impressive features are the 2nd century municipal baths, and the remains of the huge wall dividing them from the exercise hall in the heart of the city.