Senhouse Roman Museum sits on the cliffs at the north end of Maryport looking over the Solway, next to the earthworks of a Roman fort probably founded in the first century AD and rebuilt under Hadrian. Most of what is inside came from that fort and the settlement beside it, including the largest group of Roman military altar stones and inscriptions from any site in Britain. The Senhouse family started the collection in the 1570s.
Stones in a room can be a hard sell to a seven year old, so pick your day. Every Wednesday from 11am to 2pm volunteers run finds handling with real and replica objects, and on Thursdays at 1pm and Sundays at 2pm there is a 30 to 45 minute guided walk round the fort earthworks, weather permitting. Both are included in admission. The fort is in farmland, uneven, and may have sheep on it.
Tickets are £7 for adults and £3.50 for under 16s, £18 for a family, and under 5s go free; CA15 residents get in free with proof of address. Until the end of October it opens daily from 11am to 5pm, then Friday to Sunday 10.30am to 4pm through the winter. The car park is free and there is a picnic area, with hot drinks and sweets inside.
What it costs: Adult £7, child (under 16) £3.50, family (2 adults and 2 or more children) £18, under 5s free. Free for CA15 residents with proof of address. Finds handling and fort tours are included in admission.
Seasonal: Fri to Sun only, November to March. Check before travelling.
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Harbourside aquarium with over 75 displays, a seahorse and lobster hatchery and hourly feeding talks, plus crazy golf free with every ticket and a free pirate-ship playground out the back. Parking by the play area is free.
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