Sue Isherwood, Chair of Trustees at Wells & Mendip Museum, explains more about an exciting new permanent display at the Museum on Roman Mendip that will be opening in the spring
DID you know that the Romans were here in Wells and on Mendip within 20 years of their invasion of Britain? And that lead from Mendip mines was exported across the whole of the ancient world?
By spring 2026, Wells & Mendip Museum will open a newly designed exhibition space which will focus on the significance of Roman lead mining in the Mendip area, showing what life was like for the miners, the occupying Romans, and the communities which grew up to support the mining.
We intend to focus on this locally distinctive aspect of Roman life, bringing into public view historic finds not previously on display as well as domestic items like kitchen utensils, brooches and hair pins being discovered maybe as recently as last week, but hidden in the ground for up to 2,000 years.
The antiquarian the Rev John Skinner recognised Roman activity on Mendip in the early 19th century, and our starting point has been the archaeological evidence we hold which supports this. Over decades archaeologists associated with the Museum have carried out excavations at various local Roman sites, in particular at Green Ore, Priddy, and at Hole Ground, Wookey Hole village.
Twenty years ago BBC’s Time Team carried out a limited programme of work for its Big Roman Dig. We will revisit this engaging historic work.
More recently community archaeologists have been excavating more local Roman sites, supported and advised by professionals. Their work has brought new material to light and new insights into everyday living which we will be bringing to the display.
In addition to the new gallery, we are planning a programme of exciting events and activities for schools and families to accompany it.
Keep in touch with us as we develop our plans for engaging community and visitors and give us your ideas of what you would like to see and do.
If you would like to support the project, the museum has a Crowdfunder to raise additonal funding: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/wells-mendip-museum-roman-mendip-gallery
Working with our designers, Far Post Design, we have well developed plans of what the gallery will look like, the selected material which can be put on display, and what the main stories will be.
The Romans were on Mendip for more than 400 years and at the end of empire they left a country changed forever. Our new display will reflect on their time here, and how life continued as direct rule ended.
For further information please contact the museum: call 01749 673477 or email admin@wellsmuseum.org.uk