The site of the fourth largest city in Roman Britain took a step back in time when a hotel hosted a traditional banquet for training delegates alongside a national conference.

Wroxeter – or Viroconium – began as a legionary fortress and later developed into a thriving civilian city. To mark the Roman roots The Wroxeter Hotel, based in the village, offers a special Roman banquet menu for guests to get a taste of the past.

On March 26 and 27, training delegates from Wyevale Garden Centres visited the hotel, and some of the group experienced a taste of the famous Cena Trimalchionis (the banquet of Trimalchio).

Darryl-Ann Brooks, of The Wroxeter Hotel, said: “We officially launched our corporate packages last month and the Roman Banquet sparked interest in many businesses we spoke to.

“Viroconium had 5,000 citizens in its heyday and although much still remains below ground the impressive features of the municipal baths and the wall dividing them from the exercise hall can still be seen – so for visitors the Roman roots of where the hotel was built are very interesting.

“We were delighted to welcome 170 delegates from all over the UK to the Wroxeter Hotel. They used several conference rooms to accommodate breakout facilities through the day and in the evening several of the management team enjoyed the Roman banquet.

“It was a fantastic event to kick off the corporate training events we launched only weeks before.”