This new guide to the visible remains of Roman Britain is long needed, following in the footsteps of earlier guides by Roger Wilson, and later David Johnston. Divided into nine geographical areas across Britain, over 240 locations are listed in the index, many with more than one place to visit in each listing. The guide is aimed mainly at the casual enthusiast (with basic overviews and glossary), though there are many hidden small gems that some may have been unaware of. The book is opened with a basic introduction to the history of Roman Britain, and at the beginning of each regional section there is a more detailed historical background to the region, and key sites to be discussed highlighted in bold.
The places to visit are listed in alphabetical order, each site or museum is given a star rating, depending on how much material can be seen. The postcode is provided, and if tricky to find a description of how to find the site. The authors have sensibly omitted listing opening times and entry charges, to avoid becoming immediately out of date. Indeed, given the digital age we now live in, this guide may have worked much better as a map-based app, constantly updatable. The book is available in digital formats, and these would be preferable, making the guide far more pocket friendly, being rather too large to carry around on a trip, it works better as a resource to utilise in advance when planning a Roman sightseeing trip.
There are many colour illustrations, from larger sites to smaller artefacts. Only three places (London, Chester, and York) have detailed plans, that are very useful, with modern maps underlying the Roman remains. More plans would have been useful, why no plan of Lincoln when the remains are described as some of the best in Britain? The larger regional plans may have worked better with major modern roads shown for reference, to help aid the reader.
This book highlights the broad breath of Roman remains in Britain, well organised, and reader-friendly. It makes for a frustrating read during lockdown when many places are closed, but certainly inspires future Roman day trips out.