Facing the ancient Jewry Wall ruins in the St Nicholas area of Leicester, the Jewry Wall Museum sits within a Grade II listed building completed in 1962 and designed by architect Trevor Dannatt. Construction began in 1960, and the building was originally shared with Vaughan College, part of Leicester University’s Institute for Lifelong Learning. After the University ceased its lifelong learning activities there in 2013 and placed the building on the market, Leicester City Council purchased it in March 2016 and set plans in motion for a full expansion and improvement of the museum. Following that extensive work, the museum re-opened in July 2025.
What the Museum Contains
The collections at the Jewry Wall Museum span the Iron Age, Roman, and medieval periods of Leicester’s history. Among the most significant objects on display are the Cyparissus Pavement, the Blackfriars Pavement, the Norfolk Street Wall Paintings, and the Thurmaston Milestone. The quantity of Roman material in the collection has grown considerably in recent years, as developers carrying out construction work across Leicester have been required to undertake full archaeological investigations before building. The Roman foundations visible at the site include bath house remains uncovered during excavations led by archaeologist Kathleen Kenyon between 1936 and 1939, found at a considerable depth below street level.
History of the Site and the Museum
The building’s origins lie in post-war reconstruction. When the road now known as Vaughan Way was developed, the old Vaughan Working Men’s College had to be demolished. The cleared land alongside the newly uncovered Roman foundations was used for a purpose-built structure combining adult education facilities with a museum to house Leicester’s expanding archaeological collection. The museum is run by Leicester City Council, though its future was not always assured. In 2004, proposed cuts to opening hours prompted the formation of the Friends of Jewry Wall Museum, a group that has continued to promote the museum since. Opening hours were reduced regardless. In 2011, the council announced plans to close the museum entirely alongside two others in the city to save money, a decision overturned after a motion by Labour backbench councillors led by former council leader Ross Willmott. With full ownership of the building secured from 2016 onwards, the council was able to spread the museum across both floors and improve access to both the collections and the Roman ruins.