Books about Roman Chester
The best book on Roman Chester is David Mason’s Roman Chester: Fortress at the Edge of the World, the standard account by the archaeologist who has studied it for decades. For the amphitheatre in depth, read the excavation report by Tony Wilmott and Dan Garner. For children, start with a general Roman book before you visit.
Roman Chester: Fortress at the Edge of the World
David J. P. Mason · For: General readers
The standard modern account of Roman Chester by the archaeologist who knows it best, from the founding of the fortress to the Elliptical Building and the end of Roman rule. An update of his earlier Roman Chester: City of the Eagles.
The Roman Amphitheatre of Chester
Tony Wilmott and Dan Garner · For: Archaeologists and serious enthusiasts
Volume 1 of the full report on the 2004 to 2006 excavations (Oxbow, 2018), which showed Chester had two stone amphitheatres and found Mesolithic and Iron Age traces beneath them. Technical and definitive; the hardback is out of print but digital editions are available.
Rotten Romans (Horrible Histories)
Terry Deary · For: Children, about 7 to 11
Not about Chester, but the book that has hooked a generation of KS2 pupils on the Roman army. Read it before a soldier tour.
Free reading
English Heritage’s history of the amphitheatre and Visit Cheshire’s free Roman Chester Trail leaflet are both good, short and free. The Chester Archaeological Society’s journal archive, online through the Archaeology Data Service, has the original reports on the tombstones found in the walls.
Facts and visitor details checked 26 October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check with the venue before you travel.