birdoswald roman fort...

Birdoswald Roman Fort stands high above the River Irthing, in one of the most picturesque settings on Hadrian's Wall, which is why it is the perfect place to stop for a family day out. With probably the best-preserved defences of any Wall fort, this was an important base for some 1,000 Roman soldiers.

A fort, turret and milecastle can still be seen, and to the East lies the longest continuous stretch of Wall visible today.Archaeological discoveries over the past 150 years have revealed a great deal about Roman military life at Birdoswald. Excavations have unearthed three main gateways and the outside walls of the fort, granary buildings, workshops and a unique drill hall.

People continued to live at Birdoswald after the Roman withdrawal. In the 5th century a large timber hall was built over the collapsed Roman granaries, perhaps for a local British chieftain. Later, a medieval tower house was raised here, replaced in the 16thC by a fortified 'bastle' farmhouse designed to protect its inhabitants from the notorious 'Border Reivers'. Later still in more peaceful times, a farmhouse stood there.

The Visitor Centre provides a good introduction to Hadrian's Wall and tells the intriguing story of Birdoswald and the people who have lived there over the past 2,000 years.

After venturing out along the Wall and sampling some of the local wildlife, enjoy delicious locally made cakes and treats in the tearoom or browse in the gift shop for souveniers.  If you would like to stay within the walls of the fort, there is a 39 bed residential centre, which can be booked for groups. It provides a great base for exploring this and other sites on the Wall, and is an excellent educational resource.