Barnwood Roman cemetery

What remains of Barnwood Roman cemetery is essentially an archaeological record rather than a visitor attraction you can wander round and gawk at. It's a scheduled monument just outside Gloucester where, between the 1st and 3rd centuries, Romano-British people were buried - cremations mostly, though some inhumations too. The site itself is largely invisible now, tucked into the landscape near the village of Barnwood, but it tells a proper story about how Roman settlement wasn't just about the grand villas and fortresses. Ordinary people lived here, died here, and this is where they ended up.

You won't find interpretation boards or a visitor centre. This is one for the archaeology-minded or the seriously curious about Roman Britain. The real value is understanding Gloucester's role in the Romano-British world - it was a significant settlement, and cemeteries like this one show how integrated the population had become. If you're already touring the area and keen on the period, it's worth a detour, particularly if you're combining it with Gloucester itself, which has proper Roman remains and museums worth your time.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Court Farm Camping and Regency Court Park are both within a couple of miles - you could easily fit a quick visit while exploring the wider area. Realistically though, you're looking at a pilgrimage rather than a destination. The archaeology buffs will get something from it; families with young kids will find it a bit underwhelming without substantial historical knowledge to work with.