Gladiator exhibition from British Museum arrives in Chester

An exciting major touring exhibition telling the story of the gladiators who fought and died to the roar of the crowd in Britain is coming to Chester’s Grosvenor Museum this month.

The British Museum Partnership Exhibition, Gladiators of Britain, is travelling to a total of just four venues around the UK this year.  It can be seen at the Grosvenor Museum between 20 September 2025 and 25 January 2026.

Bringing together some of the country’s most important objects from the period, the exhibition will look at the history of gladiatorial fights in Britain, who gladiators were and the importance of spectacle in Roman culture.

The exhibition explores Roman traditions in the local region of each venue, following in the footsteps of the gladiators who fought in the amphitheatres of Britain.

Occupying Britain for over 350 years, the Romans introduced many aspects of their culture including gladiatorial fights for public entertainment. The events of the amphitheatre, with its wild beasts and enslaved fighters, are one of the most enduring aspects of Roman culture that still capture the public imagination today.

Grosvenor Museum’s exhibition will explore the history of Chester’s amphitheatre, which is the largest example in Britain, featuring objects found at the site such as an altar to the goddess Nemesis.

Gladiators of Britain will look at the social position of enslaved fighters, who were both vilified and admired as the celebrities of their day. Considered as infamis in Roman law and society, they were excluded from having the rights of other citizens. Visitors will also find out about the many different classes of gladiator and how they were ranked, including beast-fighters known as venators, who clashed with predators including lions and bears.

Taking visitors back nearly 2,000 years to the Roman province of Britannia, the exhibition will bring together 25 items from the British Museum and Colchester Museums collections, as well as items from each local museum partner.

Several special events and activities have been arranged to coincide with the exhibition coming to Chester.  During October Half Term, families will be able to find out what’s it’s really like to be a gladiator at Gladiator School.  There will also be a free drop in to meet Amanda Wah, winner of TV’s Gladiators.

There will also be talks from British Museum Curator, Anna Willi and Roman Expert and best selling author Ben Kane.  More information will follow regarding booking and tickets.  Local artist India Hackett will also lead a creative session to create Roman Frescos.

Maria Byrne, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Director of Environment and Communities, said:

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the British Museum to bring Gladiators of Britain to Grosvenor Museum.  This exhibition sets the record straight about the lives of gladiators in Britain and how gladiatorial combat and entertainment took place in Britain nearly 2,000 years ago.

Visitors are in for both a visual and intellectual feast.  Each year, around 12,000 year 4 pupils come to Grosvenor Museum to find out about life in Roman Chester…or ‘Deva’.”

Thorsten Opper, Curator of Roman Collections at the British Museum, said:

“While gladiators have always captured the public imagination, their presence in Britain has been less widely understood. Who were these enslaved fighters, and how did they come to be in Britain? We are now able to start answering these questions and it is fascinating to see how each venue brings these stories to life.”

Everyone is welcome to view the exhibition at the Grosvenor Museum from 20 September 2025. Admission is free to check opening times please visit www.grosvenormuseum.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk.

Gladiators Of Britain is supported by the Dorset Foundation in memory of Harry M Weinrebe and at the Grosvenor Museum by Avanti West Coast (Principal Partner) and Visit Chester, (Associate Partner).