Roman Living History: Join the Legions!

Take your Oath of Allegiance as you sign up for 25 years service. Learn to march like a Roman and how to form up in ‘testudo’, the famous tortoise defensive position, as you face the blood-curdling charge of a fearsome Ancient Briton.

During this event, you can try on armour, helmets and equipment, handle the weaponry of the Roman Legionary or British warrior. Find out what life might have been like in Roman-occupied Britain and try throwing spears at your enemy. Weather permitting, there’ll be archery to try your hand at too.

There’ll be lots of hands-on artefacts, both military and civilian, to give you a real taste of life at the time. Maybe try grinding some grain, or a ‘guess what?’ activity as you become archaeology detectives and work out what the mystery implements are. Discover what it was like to be a child at the time - maybe one with rich Roman parents, or perhaps a tribal local, living on the frontier of the Empire...

This event is part of our Ways to Play programme of free and low-cost family-friendly activities.

Make your Ways to Play adventure a great value day out by travelling to our venues by the Metro and / or Ferry.  

Up to three children aged 11 and under can travel for free on the Metro and the Shields Ferry with a fare-paying adult. Metro is the convenient, fast and frequent way to get to your favourite attractions and now it’s even more affordable. The NE Mayor has negotiated free travel for kids on buses during the summer holidays until 1 September 2024.

Find out more

Ways to Play is sponsored by Tyne and Wear Metro