T

he Romans have definitely left their mark on England. Take the  Roman Baths  in the aptly-named city of  Bath , for example; it was here, among the Corinthian columns and smooth stone steps, that the Empire’s great and good came to get clean.

Ironic then, that when you visit you’ll have to have to hold your nose – unless you like the smell of sulphur – which is similar to that of boiled eggs (“it’s not me, it’s the skin-enhancing minerals in the natural spring waters”).

Meanwhile,  Chester  offers an altogether more aromatic Roman experience. Take a wander through the ruins of the Amphitheatre – you’d never guess that blood-thirsty gladiators battled it out on this peaceful grassy spot – or stroll along the city’s stone walls, built to keep any trouble makers out.

However, when it comes to Roman walls there’s no beating the 75-mile-long eponymous barrier built in Northumberland on the orders of the Emperor Hadrian.

Hadrian's Wall  is like something out of a fairytale; along its route, forts and castles are two-a-penny and, when you’re not dodging sheep and cows, you’ll stumble across turrets, created for defending England against the Picts, and ancient stone circles, created for... well, actually, no one's quite sure about that bit.