A special event is being planned to give visitors an insight into what life was once like at the busy fort, which was home to around 500 cavalrymen, their horses and some of the Roman Army’s most prestigious soldiers.
The English Heritage attraction will be brought to life tomorrow and Sunday with the pounding of hooves as five skilled riders re-enact some of the elaborate manoeuvres which would have been commonplace.
Site manager for English Heritage at Chesters Roberta Stewardson said: “An event with horses is always an exciting and thrilling one.
“Visitors can really sense the speed and precision with which these warriors performed, and we are welcoming them to Chesters to step back in time and learn more about this fascinating period in the place where Roman history happened.”
The event will include hands-on activities for youngsters, with Roman drills and hobby horses, so mini soldiers can get in on the action throughout the weekend.
Families can also take over Chesters Fort in a new family trail
As a team, each person can assume the roles of a commander, dog, musician, guard, messenger or trooper and must obey orders from the Emperor as they search for tips hidden in the fort grounds.
The John Clayton Museum at Chesters Roman Fort reopened in April following a £130,000 refurbishment.
The museum displays hundreds of antiquities from Roman times and tells the fascinating story of John Clayton, who was responsible for saving significant portions of Hadrian’s Wall back in the 19th century.
The seven-acre fort includes the best preserved military bath house in Britain and a selection of the 11,000 objects collected by Clayton’s team is on display.
The event will act as a warm up to next year’s Hadrian’s Cavalry exhibition, with events planned between April 8 and September 10 next year at 10 Roman attractions along Hadrian’s Wall, including Chesters, Housesteads and Vindolanda.
More information can be found at www.hadrianscavalry.co.uk and full details for this weekend’s event are online at www.english-heritage.org.uk/events
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