Ribchester Roman Museum

Ribchester Roman Museum sits in the village of Ribchester, Lancashire, beside the River Ribble and next to St Wilfrid’s Church. The building stands at the southern end of Church Street, a short walk from the remains of Bremetennacum Roman fort. Margaret Greenall opened the museum in 1915; she belonged to the Warrington brewing family. The museum is a registered charity with number 510490. Its displays draw on finds from the fort just a few yards away. The collection includes many objects from the fort’s excavations. The most famous piece is the Ribchester Helmet, shown as a replica since the original now belongs to the British Museum. A gallery bears the name of Jim Ridge, the museum’s former honorary curator, who died in 2003. Ridge arranged a Time Team dig in September 1993 after noticing Roman remains in his cottage garden at 2 Church Street. Visitors find a small but well-arranged museum with cases of coins, tools and pottery. The Ribchester Helmet replica stands in its own case near the entrance. Labels explain each object’s context and date. Outside, the village street and churchyard overlook the river. The fort site lies just beyond the museum’s boundary wall.