Dorchester Roman Festival
Friday 11th - Sunday 13th April 2025
Imagine sitting in a real Roman amphitheatre, hearing the roar of the crowd around you, and witnessing Roman gladiators fighting in the area.
You can experience this for free at Dorchester’s spectacular Roman Festival on Saturday 12th and 13th April 2025, during the school Easter holidays!
This amazing, unmissable new festival will be hosted in the iconic Roman amphitheatre of Maumbury Rings. Visitors of all ages will get to train like a gladiator, witness gladiator fighting, make mosaics, take part in Roman ceremonies, march with Roman soldiers, see real Roman finds and interact with Roman Living Historians.
In addition to the activities in Maumbury Rings, there will also be Roman Dorchester guided walks, tours and talks to book over the weekend, including on Friday 11th April. There will be a fee for joining in with these additional activities but they all really will bring to life Dorchester’s Roman history.
Download the full festival programme!
Events happening during the Dorchester Roman Festival
Exhibition: Gladiators of Britain
A British Museum Partnership Exhibition with Colchester + Ipswich Museums will delve into the lesser-known history of gladiatorial contests in Roman Britain. Launching at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery in January 2025, the exhibition will tour four UK venues, tracing the footsteps of gladiators who once fought in Britain’s amphitheatres.
Sun 23rd Mar - All day
and 49 future schedules
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Roman Town House Tours
Join our trained guides on a tour of Roman Town House site and the precious artifacts recovered and now on display at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery.
Sat 29th Mar - 10:00am
and 2 future schedules
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Roman Dorchester Walk
Join our trained guides to step back in time and immerse yourself in the historic Roman town of Durnovaria...
Tue 1st Apr - 10:00am
and 2 future schedules
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Guided Walk -Explore the Roman Road in Thorncombe Wood Local Nature Reserve
Join the Thorncombe Ranger Claire and Archaeologist Steve for a guided walk along the Roman Road in Thorncombe Wood Local Nature Reserve as part of the Dorchester Roman Festival.
Fri 11th Apr - 10:00am
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Dorchester Roman Festival at Maumbury Rings
Step Back in Time This Easter: Roman Festival at Maumbury Rings, Dorchester
Sat 12th Apr - 10:30am
and 1 future schedules
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Maiden Castle Guided Tour
Join us on a fascinating guided walk that delves into the rich archaeological heritage of Maiden Castle, one of the largest and most iconic Iron Age hill forts in Europe. This tour will explore the complex history of the hill fort and its surrounding landscape, uncovering layers of human activity that span thousands of years.
Sat 12th Apr - 2:00pm
and 2 future schedules
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Carry On Cleo
Dorchester Arts presents Caesar, Cleo, Antony, Hengist, Horsa, Senna and of course the asp in the funniest film since 54BC!
Sat 12th Apr - 7:00pm
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Guided walk to discover Dorchester Roman Aqueduct
As part of the Dorchester Roman Festival you are invited to join Archaeologist Steve Wallis on walk to discover Dorchester's Roman Aqueduct
Sun 13th Apr - 10:00am
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