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Birdoswald Roman Fort is one of the main forts on Hadrian's Wall and commands stunning views over the Irthing valley to the Lake District Fells. A Roman fort, turret and milecastle can all be seen on this excellent stretch of the Wall. With probably the best preserved defences of any Wall fort, this was an important base for some 1,000 Roman soldiers, succeeding an earlier fort of turf and timber.
The section of Wall to the east is the longest continuous stretch visible today. Recent excavations have uncovered a drill hall, granaries and three gateways to the fort. Interactive displays and various Roman artefacts can be seen in the Visitor Centre, which also contains a model of Hadrian's Wall at its full height. Or see the wall for real, as one of the best preserved sections leads directly from Birdoswald to Willowford Bridge.
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 Birdoswald 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.
There is a cosy tearoom at the site if you need refreshments, and a well stocked shop for souvenirs. 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.
Birdoswald Roman Fort Gilsland Brampton Cumbria CA8 7DD
Contact email: [email protected]
016977 47602
Fri 24 Nov
Thu 23 Nov
Wed 29 Nov
Mon 8 Jan
Mon 18 Dec
Tue 28 Aug
Wed 22 Nov
Fri 24 Mar
Wed 7 Apr
Thu 1 Jul
Fri 6 Apr
Thu 14 Mar
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