Introducing The Mansio: A Roman Travel Lodge

Over May Bank Holiday Weekend (30 April - 5 May), visitors to Arbeia Roman Fort will be able to explore a #new Roman ruin', the Mansio.

Imagine a travelling Roman ruin that has a reception area, tower, viewing space and an outdoor courtyard (if the weather is good), all made from a semi-translucent material.

This is the Mansio. A unique designed, travelling venue where commissioned pieces of work by leading poets and authors will be staged and shared with visitors.

This Mansio is a 21st century version of a Roman travel lodge, where Roman officials would stop for rest and refreshments whilst travelling across the Empire.

Visitors will be able to see new pieces of work commissioned by artists and writers about borders and frontiers, including Lemn Sissaym, Colette Bryce, David Almond and Daljit Nagra.

A book showcasing all the works will be available to purchase during the tour.

The Mansio will visit the Roman Forts of Senhouse and Vindolonda as well as Arbeia. It will also stop at Walltown Crags and Carlisle Castle.

A full programme and more information about the Mansio is available at www.mansio.co.uk

Hexham Book Festival CIC

Based in Queen’s Hall, Hexham, the Book Festival started in 2006 and has enjoyed increased audiences and success year on year; delivering an annual Festival of book based events, high profile author talks, workshops and events for all ages. Since 2014 the Festival’s county wide literature development work with authors, libraries and schools has been supported by Active Northumberland (Northumberland County Council). The Festival is currently curating a series of Northumberland based author residencies to celebrate their 10th anniversary working with partners across Northumberland.

Arts&Heritage is a Northumberland based organisation that works nationally with heritage organisations and museums. Directors Judith King and Timandra Nichols have extensive experience in initiating art projects and curating that has included Fashion At Belsay, Sitooteries and ExtraOdinary Measures at Belsay Hall Castle and Gardens for English Heritage and working with National Trust properties in London and the South East and Fountains Hall and Studley Royal in Yorkshire. A&H also run their own projects that has included, The Great Boxing Booth Revival for the Cultural Olympiad and The Gallery Of Wonder, funded by Arts Council England. They work with major national and regional museums including the National Railway Museum in York and are contemporary art advisors to the Churches Conservation Trust and Auckland Castle Trust in County Durham. www.artsandheritage.org.uk

The Mansio is funded by Arts Council England Strategic Touring, Active Northumberland and contributions from partners: English Heritage, Northumberland National Park, Queen’s Hall Arts, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, Senhouse Museum and Vindolanda Trust.