What happened at the Ambleside Roman fort during Roman occupation and what new evidence is coming to light?
When the Romans arrived in Ambleside in the 1st century CE, they brought trade, culture... and conflict. "Killed inside the fort by enemies," reads a gravestone connected to the Ambleside Roman Fort, but what happened here during the occupation?
First excavated in the early 20th century by R.G. Collingwood and Francis Haverfield, followed by various other digs related to modern redevelopments in the area through the 1960s-1980s, it has not been until recently that archaeologists have returned to a theory that there was a “Battle of Ambleside”.
Investigations that took place between 2021-2023 by the Trimontium Trust and Edinburgh University have revealed very interesting additional evidence that points towards an attack upon the fort by an unknown enemy.
This new exhibition at The Armitt places the Ambleside Roman Fort into the wider context of the Roman occupation of the north, but it specifically narrows down to what might have happened onsite at the strategic position at the head of Windermere.

Get a National Art Pass and explore The Armitt: Museum, Gallery, Library
You'll see more art and your membership will help museums across the UK
National Art Pass offers available at The Armitt: Museum, Gallery, Library
Visitor information
Address
Rydal Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9BL
01539 431212
Opening times
February-March: Wednesday-Saturday 10:30am-4:30pm (last admission 4pm).
April-October: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm (last admission 4:30pm).
November-December: Wednesday-Saturday 10:30am-4:30pm (last admission 4pm).
Exclusions and safety measures
The Armitt has taken every reasonable step to ensure you can have a safe and enjoyable visit to the museum.
Visitor information
What else is on at The Armitt: Museum, Gallery, Library
The more you see, the more we do.
The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.