St Albans Museums is rolling out an augmented‑reality (AR) app this fall that overlays the lost Roman city of Verulamium onto the modern landscape of Verulamium Park. By pointing a smartphone at the grass, users can watch a Roman townhouse, a gatehouse and a bustling street appear on the screen, then explore reconstructed interiors, collect virtual coins and even design a mosaic.
Bringing ancient history to life
“We really want people to be able to explore the park and enjoy the nature around them, but also understand that they’re standing on history,” said Farhana Begum, head of St Albans Museums. The app fills in the gaps where centuries of development have erased the original structures, showing a temple, the London Gate and the layout of the Roman road that still guides today’s footpaths.
The museum’s galleries already display painted plaster fragments, deep‑red mosaics and a range of artifacts—from jewelry and coins to oil lamps and tools—that illustrate the wealth and daily life of Roman Britons. “When we think about antiquity, we think about these white alabasters,” Begum explained. “Actually, in the homes of people, you would have painted plaster.”
Roman engineering marvels
Outside the museum, an 1,800‑year‑old mosaic sits above a hypocaust, the ancient under‑floor heating system that kept Roman homes warm. “We have underfloor heating now today, and the Romans were doing it 2,000 years ago,” Begum noted.
Much of Verulamium remains hidden beneath lawns, paths and playing fields. The AR experience helps visitors visualize the scale of the former city, where villas, temples and a massive wall once stood.
From Roman bricks to royal ties
St Albans Cathedral, visible from the park’s ascent, is built partly from Roman bricks salvaged from the abandoned settlement. The cathedral’s 280‑foot nave is the longest in England and earned a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2025.
Princess Diana planted a tree on the cathedral grounds in 1989 and unveiled the colorful Rose Window, which still bathes the interior in red and blue light. The window’s dedication links the city to the royal family, while a cedar planted by Georgiana, Countess Spencer, in 1803 still stands in Sumpter Yard.
Ryder Cup roots
St Albans also celebrates its connection to golf legend Samuel Ryder, whose seed‑packet business funded the creation of the Ryder Cup. The Samuel Ryder Hotel, housed in his former headquarters, showcases historic features such as a mahogany fireplace bearing his initials. The nearby Verulam Golf Club, where Ryder captained three times, preserves his legacy with an annual Samuel Ryder Trophy played in a Ryder Cup‑style format.
“Ryder’s influence is still strong today within the club and St Albans,” said Paul Keen, general manager of Verulam Golf Club.
Visitor information
St Albans Museum + Gallery, St Michael’s Manor Hotel, and the Samuel Ryder Hotel all provide convenient lodging for tourists exploring the city’s Roman, medieval and sporting heritage. The AR app, free to download, offers a family‑friendly way to experience centuries of history on foot.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
