A day out in Ribchester

IAG members enjoyed a wonderful day in Ribchester. The Roman theme started as soon as we arrived, as the car park is opposite playing fields which are adjacent to the site of the former Roman fort. There was an amazing view of the River Ribble and the surrounding countryside as we made our way to the Ribchester Roman Museum.

The museum has a chequered past. It was opened by Margaret Greenall in 1915 after she raised funds to buy a small building in which to house the many Roman artefacts found locally but being dispersed out of the area to various universities. There were ups and downs before the 90s when the Museum Trust took over ownership from the National Trust and extended by buying the surrounding buildings, and a total revamp took place. The museum has had the same dedicated curator, Patrick, since 1993.

There have been extensive archaeological excavations in the area and the museum houses an informative display of well-preserved Roman objects, as well as some Bronze Age finds. It attracts a variety of visitors, and is particularly popular with schools from a wide area.

Between the museum and the churchyard, we were shown the remains of the Roman granary, and just a short walk away there were the remains of the bath house. Behind the churchyard, we could see part of the ditch that marked the boundary of the fort, and it was fascinating to see that the hedge-line still followed the outline of the corner of the fort.

After lunch at the Ribchester Arms and a diversion to see the unusual Norman church at Stydd nearby, we drove to the start of the Roman Road walk, between Great Mitton and Whalley. A rather bleak straight line on the map, it turned out to be an enchanting walk, through a pastoral landscape. There is the large stone base of a cross en route, where another old track comes in. In the last bit up to Standen Hey farmhouse, the road was spectacular,  still cambered with ditches on either side, and here enclosed within hedges with tall trees either side. A memorable walk.