Have you ever wanted to meet a real warrior queen? This summer, history comes to life at the Roman Theatre of Verulamium in St Albans, where families are invited to explore the ruins with none other than Queen Boudicca.
To find out what’s in store, we caught up with the legendary rebel queen herself to hear more about the experience she’s offering for curious young minds.
Boudicca, welcome to Verulamium! What brings you here?
What brings me here? Revenge, obviously! No don’t worry—I’m only here to share stories… for now. I heard there were Roman ruins and curious little warriors around, so I galloped over to see what all the fuss was about.
What can children expect on your tour?
It’s a fun and lively walk through the ancient theatre and surrounding ruins. I talk about what the theatre looked like in Roman times, explain who I was and what I stood for, and help kids imagine what life looked like nearly 2,000 years ago. There’s a bit of acting, a bit of learning, and a lot of imagination.
Will the tour be scary?
Only if you’re a Roman! No not at all. I may have been a warrior queen, but I’m here to inspire and educate—not frighten! Everything is age-appropriate, and there’s a lot of laughter along the way. We keep things light and interactive.
What do you hope children take away from your story?
I hope they feel brave. I hope they feel curious. And I hope they leave with a better sense of how history shapes the world around them—even when it’s messy. It’s not just about Romans and battles; it’s about standing up for what you believe in.
Any advice for young rebels on the tour?
Keep your eyes sharp and your voices loud! You’ll need both. And at the end of the tour… we might just rally the troops for one final roar of rebellion. Just don’t tell the Romans.
Boudicca’s Roman Rampage runs on selected Sundays and weekdays in the school holidays at the Roman Theatre of Verulamium.
Tickets cost £7.50 per person and the tour lasts for 30 minutes. Pre Booking is essential.
Anna MacLeod Franklin leads the tour as Boudicca
Click the button below to find out more and to book tickets.