We are delighted to announce the acquisition of Dewa Roman Experience into the Big Heritage portfolio on May 31st 2021. The attraction has welcomed tourists and groups of excited school children for 30 years and shared with them the incredible story of Roman Chester.  Our purchase of the business will see us build upon that legacy, whilst injecting a fresh set of ideas, energy and funds to turn the site into a Roman heritage attraction worthy of Britain’s most important Roman city. 

We have ambitious plans for development, but central to all of this is the careful recording, analysis and conservation of the archaeology which has already been excavated to varying levels of quality over recent decades. 

The site has revealed some of the most interesting visible archaeological remains anywhere in the North West, encompassing not only a series of impressive Roman structures, but a complete timeline of activity stretching over 2000 years. We have therefore appointed Dr. Rob Philpott (former head of archaeology at National Museums Liverpool) as Director of Archaeology for the site, who will work with experts from Cheshire West and Chester’s Historic Environment Team to ensure the thousands of nationally important artefacts excavated from the site are recorded and deposited with the Grosvenor Museum. 

We also wish to address the collection of antiquities purchased for display on the site, which are now in our possession, but have been sourced from Roman sites in North Africa and the Near East. It is our intention where feasible to offer these for repatriation to their countries of origin. 

That’s the serious bit out of the way……now for the fun bit!
We are already working with a team of super talented people to invest in a series of digital innovations on site, from projection mapping trenches to holographic soldiers marching once again on the city. We are bringing the story of the Amphitheatre to life thanks to some cool Augmented Reality (think Pokémon GO meets Rome), placing a huge new emphasis on the story of women and Children in Roman Chester, and will be running regular Roman inspired food and drink events.

Our Roman soldiers will be back on the streets this summer for tourists, and guiding thousands more school children around the city from September.