A GRAND DAY OUT...

AT THE HARBOROUGH MUSEUM

THAT IS SOME HEADGEAR: That’s an understatement. This Roman cavalry officer’s helmet, with its silver ornamentation, is the only one of its kind found in the UK. WHY IS IT IN MARKET

HARBOROUGH? It was unearthed at an Iron Age shrine in nearby Hallaton and, after years of reconstruction by the British Museum, was returned to a gallery in the town museum. SOMEONE HAS LEFT A LOT OF CHANGE IN THERE: They found around 5,000 coins buried at the site. There are interactive displays with videos of the conservation work, the story of the archaeological discovery and a replica of how the helmet looked when it was found. Your children can dress up as Celts and Romans.

CAN TRY OUT THE SWORDS? Absolutely not. They are reputedly from the Battle of Naseby, the pivotal Civil War battle that was fought on the edge of the town.

WHY THE LADIES’ UNDERWEAR? The museum is situated in the old Symington’s corset factory, birthplace of the Liberty bodice. CAN I SEE WHERE THE HELMET WAS

FOUND? Sorry, it’s a secret. The village of Hallaton is very pretty, however. Every Easter Monday it hosts the Hallaton bottle-kicking — a battle with neighbouring Medbourne for a keg of beer.

DETAILS: Harborough Museum. Adam & Eve St, Market Harborough, 01858 821085, leics. gov.uk/harboroughmuseum. Open Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat, 10.30 to 4pm.