Ghosts, magic, battles and a hunt for York’s amphitheatre – the Roman Festival returns

The Legions of Rome return to invade York this June for the second Eboracum Roman Festival, complete with military parades, best-selling authors and the hunt for York’s amphitheatre.

The first century jamboree will be based in Museum Gardens where there will be fighting displays from members of several Roman Legions, a Roman camp showing domestic life back in the day – and children’s army drills.

At select times the gathered troops will march through the streets of York while a series of talks by leading experts will take place for adults and children including one on Roman magic.

Hunts and hoards

An authors tent will offer the chance to meet several best-selling writers such as Harry Sidebottom, Ben Kane and Ruth Downie.

Stewart Ainsworth of Channel 4’s Time Team will lead the hunt York’s amphitheatre throughout the weekend.

There are fascinating talks on subjects like Occult Objects and Supernatural Stuff: Magic in Roman Britain.

On the same spooky lines, Treasurer’s House will be running its Roman Ghost Cellar Tour throughout the festival.

And the Yorkshire Museum, home some of Britain’s most treasured Roman artefacts, will be unveiling the Wold Newton Hoard, the largest hoard of its kind ever found in the North of Britain, following its recent acquisition and conservation.