Tours of 'special' Roman monument could return

Roman city walls are preserved underneath a shopping centre in Gloucester

Tours of a Roman monument underneath a shopping centre could return in 2025.

The King's Bastion, situated beneath King's Walk Shopping Centre in Gloucester, has been taken off Historic England's Heritage at Risk register.

The monument, discovered in 1960 while the shopping centre was being built, was added to the register in 2022 when the chamber flooded.

City archaeologist Andrew Armstrong said: "It’s an example of how special the heritage of Gloucester is."

The King’s Bastion is preserved in a chamber two metres below ground level but two years ago pumps used to keep the area dry failed.

Gloucester City Council has since fixed the pumps and regularly inspected the chamber to ensure there has been no lasting environmental damage, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The ancient site was discovered in 1960 when a shopping centre was being built

The monument consists of the standing remains of a length of Roman city walls, which are nearly three metres high in places.

It also features the remains of a medieval defensive tower built onto the walls.

Councillor Sarah Sawyer said the council is "delighted" that the site has been taken off the at risk register.

“We remain committed to the care and maintenance of all historic monuments and buildings in our ownership," she added.

It is hoped tours of the ancient site will return in 2025

Mr Armstrong said the council is aiming to improve access to the site and fix lighting before it reopens to the public.

“This is quite dramatic. It's scale makes a lot of people quite surprised.

"It’s a beautiful gem."