Metchley Roman Fort

Please note: tickets for this tour will be available from 10.00am on Saturday 15 August.

Dr Mike Hodder, honorary lecturer in archaeology at the University of Birmingham, will lead a walk around the site of a Roman fort on the University's Edgbaston campus, explaining the results of archaeological excavations. 

What will you learn?

• How archaeologists uncovered a Roman fort that once covered part of today’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital and University campus.
• How the fort’s defences, barracks, headquarters, commander’s house and granaries reveal the daily life of the soldiers who lived there.
• How the fort changed over time, from a military base protecting a nearby settlement to a storage depot, livestock enclosure and later a smaller fort.
• What evidence such as pottery, seeds and grains tells us about the soldiers’ food, trade connections and life on the frontier.

Do I need to book?

Yes. This event is free but ticketed. Please register for this event via the link in the top right of this page.

Facilities and accessibility

This tour will start outside the entrance of the University Train station, which can be found at Vincent Drive, B15 2AG.

This tour is fully step-free throughout. Please note that parts of the route are on uneven, unpaved surfaces.

Please note that the event takes place outdoors; attendees should bring water, wear sunscreen and hats or head coverings if sunny. The event will still go ahead if there is drizzle, but may be called off in the event of more severe rain.

This event is presented as part of Birmingham Heritage Week 2026.