Excavations in Hadrian's Wall Country

Roman Maryport

Roman Maryport is a project to develop a major heritage attraction celebrating and bringing to life the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site on the Cumbrian coast. The Roman fort and associated civilian settlement at Maryport were a significant element of the coastal defences defining the north western boundary of the Roman Empire for more than 300 years. They now form part of the transnational Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site. Geophysical surveys of the Maryport site commissioned by the Senhouse Museum Trust show that the site was extremely complex and of considerable size, and that it is well preserved.

The core of the project comprises a new museum focused on links between Maryport and the Roman Empire and a programme of ongoing excavation at the site. 

The programme of excavations is an important step in demonstrating the archaeological and historical significance of the site and the potential of the Roman Maryport project, and in generating support for the project amongst local people.

The first phase of the Roman Maryport development includes all of the site works and the full archaeological programme. All of the original Camp Farm buildings will be conserved and 40% of them will be occupied in the first phase.

Roman Maryport will have significant regeneration benefits for west coast communities and is projected to:

• attract 55,000 visitors a year
• spending £3million
• securing 13.4 new jobs (full time equivalent) at the attraction
• creating tourist business opportunities such as shops, cafes, food suppliers and accommodation and indirect employment for 65 FTE posts. Many of the new posts will be part-time and the number of people employed will be substantially greater than this.

Roman Maryport Excavations

Visit the Roman Maryport - Roman Settlement Project dedicated page within this website for more information and how you can get involved.

The Roman Temples project is the start of a new phase in a five year programme funded by the Senhouse Museum Trust with in kind support from Newcastle University designed to learn more about the internationally famous alters which form the core of the Senhouse Roman Museum display. To learn more about this project, when to visit and read the blog click on Roman Maryport - Roman Temples Project.

Other Roman Excavations in Hadrian's Wall Country

As well as the excavations at Roman Maryport other important excavations are happening around Hadrian's Wall Country. Go to Other Roman Excavations to see what's happening and how you can participate.