Grosvenor Museum Chester: ‘Gladiators of Britain’ | Free exhibition

Gladiators of Britain exhibition:
20 September 2025 - 25 January 2026

The events of the amphitheatre – its wild beasts and enslaved fighters – are one of the most enduring aspects of Roman culture that still capture the public imagination today.
https://events.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk/event/gladiators-of-britain/

Gallery One:
Step into the arena where gladiators once fought and died to thunderous crowds. This major touring exhibition from the British Museum, in partnership with Colchester and Ipswich Museums, brings together rare Roman artefacts that reveal the brutal spectacle of gladiatorial combat in ancient Britain – including extraordinary finds from Chester’s own amphitheatre, the largest in the country.
Discover the altar dedicated to Nemesis, goddess of fate, erected by a Roman centurion after a mysterious vision. Witness ancient battles through a Samian bowl depicting gladiators in combat, found in the very arena where such battles took place. Read the graffiti of “Serano Locus” – a Roman spectator’s claim to his favourite seat, carved into stone nearly 2,000 years ago. These aren’t just museum pieces; they’re intimate glimpses into the lives of real people who witnessed the blood and spectacle that defined Roman entertainment.
From the enslaved fighters who became unlikely celebrities to the vendors selling food to eager crowds, Gladiators of Britain reveals the human stories behind the helmets. Walk in the footsteps of gladiators, spectators and citizens who made Chester’s amphitheatre come alive with the roar of the crowd and clash of steel.

Supported by the Dorset Foundation in memory of Harry M Weinrebe. Supported at the Grosvenor Museum by Avanti West Coast and Visit Cheshire.

Meetup time: 11.30am
Date: Saturday 17th January 2026.

Plan of day:
We will meet inside the museum foyer for 11.30am to view the Gladiators exhibition in gallery one. Then after visiting the Grosvenor museum, we can explore city centre of Chester, and visit the impressive Chester Cathedral for lunch in the cafe there. Entrance to the cathedral is free but you can give a donation if you like. If we have time, we maybe able to visit the nearby Sick to Death museum.

About this museum:
The Grosvenor Museum tells the story of Chester from pre-history to the present day. The museum has particularly strong collections of material relating to Roman life in Chester, including an internationally important collection of Roman tombstones which were found in the 19th century having been reused in the city walls.
The museum also contains an art gallery with very fine painting and sculpture by regional artists with landscapes of Cheshire and North Wales. The Ridgway Silver Gallery showcases the best of a collection of hallmarked Chester silver, from race trophies to church plate. The museum’s period house features decorative styles and furniture from the Stuarts to the 1920s, highlighting changes in living conditions throughout the centuries.
There is also a Natural Cheshire gallery focused on the flora, fauna and geology of the Cheshire area.

Travel to the museum:-
By bus:
The Museum is a 10-15 minute walk from Chester Bus Station. From the Cross, walk down Bridge Street and at the traffic lights turn right onto Grosvenor Street. The museum is on the left hand side.

By train:
The Museum is a 20 minute walk from Chester Railway Station.
Or you can take the Rail Link bus from directly outside the station entrance to the city centre (ticket £1). The Museum is a 15 minute walk from the bus stop on Foregate Street.
Rail services are provided by Northern, Merseyrail and Transport for Wales. Links below:
https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/
https://tickets.trc.cymru/#/
https://www.merseyrail.org/journey-planning/plan-your-journey/

By car:
The nearest public car park is The Little Roodee Coach and Car Park on Castle Drive, a 5 minute walk away from the museum. There is a disabled parking bay outside the museum. You can also park at Chester race course for £5.50 all day.
https://en.parkopedia.co.uk/

There is also a park and ride scheme. I normally use the one at PR2 Broughton Heath Park. Every 15 minutes. Last bus is 5.30pm on Sunday.
https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/transport-and-roads/public-transport/buses/park-and-ride

Accessibility:
The Grosvenor Museum has wheelchair access to the ground floor, including Exhibition Gallery One, the Lecture Theatre, the ground floor of the Period House, the Roman Galleries and accessible toilet.
The Art Gallery, Silver Gallery, Natural Cheshire gallery and Exhibition Gallery Two are on the first floor, the Education Workroom is on the second floor. There is no lift.

Cover image credit: Grosvenor Museum, Chester.