Segedunum Roman Fort in Wallsend has got all sorts of activities going on over the summer months, all of which I’m quite happy to stamp with the words “Family Friendly”.

There’s always plenty to see at Segedunum, being, as it is, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but this summer they’re really pushing the Roman galley out with a whole load of activities going on throughout August. Kicking things off is Living History Day – Roman Life (4 August), which will let you try on armour, helmets and equipment, handle weaponry, and see what life might have been like in Roman occupied Britain. There’ll be archery too (supervised), or maybe you’d like to try grinding some grain. And why not discover what it was like to be a child at the time, one with rich parents perhaps, or maybe from a local tribe, living on the frontier of the Empire. Next up a Gladiator Encampment will be at the fort (9 & 10 August). This will let you explore an authentic gladiator encampment, watch gladiators train, see how they live, ask questions and even try out some historical crafts. There’s also the supervised archery range. Finally in August there’s the Hadrian Festival (23 & 24 August) with Segedunum paying homage to the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Expect to see re-enactors demonstrating weapons used in combat, a parade of horses and a cavalry display. There will also be cooking, armour maintenance, and crafts. Oh, and an appearance from Emperor Hadrian himself… DP

More details on all the above from: northeastmuseums.org.uk/segedunum