On the outskirts of Lichfield lies the small village of Wall. At its centre is the Roman town of Letocetum, situated just off Watling Street, the Roman road that follows the route of the modern A5. Letocetum was a small settlement, focused around the Mansio, the Roman equivalent of a way station or hotel, where travellers on the road could safely rest for the night. However the town also had a sizable bath complex and signs of thriving industrial activity. Much of the town remains buried either under nearby farmers fields or the houses that make up the modern village, though the Mansio and baths are visible and able to be visited throughout the year.

Also in the village is a small museum housing artefacts found during excavations at the site.

Outside the museum is the remains of the Roman settlement itself, with the excavated remains of the mansio and baths to explore.

Occupying most of the site is the remains of the Mansio. Individual rooms and passageways are clearly visible, arranged around a central courtyard. This courtyard may have been covered over and acted as a meeting place for both guests and the people of Letocetum. There is also the possibility that horses could have been stabled on site.

The baths complex is across the “street” from the mansio and while small, features all the luxuries expected of Roman civilisation, with exercise yard, changing rooms and both hot and cold baths, heated by wood fired furnace.

Further information about Letocetum is available on the English Heritage website: Wall Roman Site | English Heritage (english-heritage.org.uk) . There is also the Friends of Leotcetum Society who conduct talks and open days at the site, further information on their website: Wall Roman Site | Cheese Press (wallromansitefriendsofletocetum.co.uk).