Aldborough Roman Site
WHERE
York
What it’s like
Wander a Roman town's remains with a chance to catch archaeologists mid-dig if your timing's right.
This is a self-led wander through the remains of a Roman town, with volunteer guides on hand to point out what you're actually looking at. Kids can go at their own pace, poking around the grounds and piecing together what life here looked like centuries back. It won't have the climbing frames or costumed actors of bigger heritage sites, so it suits a child who's already curious about history rather than one who needs constant entertaining.
If you time a visit for September, there's a genuine bonus: archaeologists are often out excavating, and you can watch real digging happen in front of you. The catch is that guided tours don't run during that excavation period. Worth deciding which one your family would rather see.
You don't have to book, you can just turn up during opening hours. Booking online does get you a 15% discount if you do it by midnight the day before, and under-fives go in free with an optional infant ticket, while anyone from 5 to 17 needs a child ticket. English Heritage members get free entry for up to six children under 18, which is handy if you've got a big group in tow.
Need to know
- Booking
- Pre-book online for best price (15% advance booking discount if booked by midnight the day before)
- Worth knowing
- English Heritage members: free entry for up to 6 children under 18
- English Heritage members get free entry for up to six children under 18
- Refugees with status or leave to remain get free entry but can't pre-book, they show evidence on arrival
- September visits mean a chance to watch excavation work, but no guided tours that month
Plan your visit
Do we need to book in advance?
No, you can just turn up. Booking online ahead of time gets you a 15% discount if you do it by midnight the day before you visit.
Can I book tickets over the phone?
Phone bookings aren't taken. It's online booking or walking in on the day.
What ticket do we need for the kids?
Under-fives go free, though you can grab a free infant ticket for them if you want one. Anyone aged 5 to 17 needs a child ticket.
Are guided tours always running?
Not always. During the September excavation period, the volunteer guided tours stop so you'd be visiting self-led instead.
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