Birdoswald Roman Fort

Longest stretch of Hadrian’s Wall and extensive remains of the Roman fort including a complete circuit of Walls and gates, granaries and parade block, and, at over two metres high, the longest continuous stretch of the Wall. There are also milecastles, turrets, a river crossing and clear evidence of the turf wall that preceded Hadrian’s Wall itself. Troops from what are now Romania and Bulgaria were stationed here.

After the Roman occupation ended, a local warlord built a timber framed hall on the site of a former granary, giving a fascinating insight into how life went on after Roman authority collapsed. The visitor centre provides an interesting display about the story of the fort and its local landscape.

For visitors from Carlisle and the west, Birdoswald is the ideal place to visit to see the Wall itself and one of the best preserved forts that housed the troops who garrisoned the frontier. The site is set in stunning countryside with extensive views across wooded farmland to the hills of the North Pennines.

The site is managed by English Heritage. There is a cafeteria and a shop selling books, gifts and souvenirs.