ROMAN cavalry will return to the Hadrian’s Wall this year for a major new exhibition.

The exhibition, which will take place from April 8 to September 10, will celebrate the cavalry regiments that once guarded this famous frontier of the mighty Roman Empire.

It will bring together a unique group of ornate objects that have been borrowed from national and international museums, including the British Museum. Items such as helmets, armour and weapons will be shown alongside objects from museums across the wall.

Bill Griffiths, head of programmes for Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums and chair of the Hadrian’s Cavalry steering group, said: “This is a once in a lifetime experience, bringing together for the first time these very special Roman Calvary objects.”

Museums and heritage sites along the wall are taking part in the exhibition, offering an array of events and festivities.

Included in these events will be one of the largest ever Roman Calvary re-enactments seen in the UK, and is set to be held at Bitts Park in Carlisle over the first weekend of July.

Mr Griffiths said: “The re-enactment will see a troop of over 30 Roman cavalrymen showcase some of the exercises that would have been performed on training grounds at sites across the wall and described by Hadrian himself almost 2,000 years ago.”

Also included in the line-up of events is a specially commissioned art installation that will be shown at Chesters Roman Fort. The piece will use the natural environment and sound to evoke the presence of the 500 horses once stabled within the iconic Roman ruins.

Jane Tarr of Art Council England said: “Visitors will get to see world class objects, many in the locations they would have been seen 2000 years ago.”

Full details of all the events and museums taking part can be found at hadrianswallcountry.com