In celebration of the 1900th anniversary of the start of construction of Hadrian’s Wall, English Heritage will open a new exhibition documenting the landmark’s long history as a tourist attraction. Members of the public are invited to send in pictures of their souvenirs from the Wall, with the best ones chosen to be exhibited alongside ancient keepsakes. One souvenir recently acquired by the charity is a tin filled with scavenged fragments that, according to a handwritten note attached to its lid, were discovered in 1891. The exhibition, opening this autumn, will also showcase some of Hadrian’s Wall’s oldest souvenirs, including an ornate cup dating back to around 130 AD.

Frances McIntosh, English Heritage Curator at Hadrian’s Wall, said: "The idea of collecting objects as a way of safekeeping memories is extremely old. In the second century visitors went to the trouble of commissioning their own souvenirs, as was the case with two of the cups on display in this exhibition.

"We want to see how souvenirs have changed and, perhaps more importantly, how they haven’t. Some souvenirs can be wacky, or even tacky, whilst some are beautiful works of art, but all of them carry memories of a visit, and that is what makes them important to their owners, whether modern or Roman. So, we are calling on the public to send in pictures of their Hadrian’s Wall mementos."

All of the pictures sent in will be included in a virtual gallery on the English Heritage website, and a selection of the objects will be included in the exhibition this autumn.

Please submit your images to souvenirs@english-heritage.org.uk