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You are here: Home > Things to Do > Birdoswald Roman Fort

Birdoswald Roman Fort

Birdoswald Roman Fort

Type:Roman Remains

Gilsland, Brampton, Cumbria, CA8 7DD

Add Birdoswald Roman Fort to your Itinerary

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Tel016977 47602

About

Covid-19 Restrictions

We advise that you visit the website of this business before travelling for up to date information on what restrictions are in operation at this venue. Please note that most venues need to be pre-booked and some will have timed-ticketing. Please observe social distancing and stay safe at all times.

Birdoswald stands high above a meander in the River Irthing, in one of the most picturesque settings on Hadrian's Wall. 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, also of stone replacing turf, is the longest continuous stretch visible today.

Archaeological discoveries over the past 150 years have revealed a great deal about Roman military life at Birdoswald. Three of the four main gateways of the fort have been unearthed, as have the outside walls, two granary buildings, workshops and a unique drill hall.

People continued to live at Birdoswald after the Roman withdrawal. In the 5thC 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 wellstocked 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, and is an excellent educational resource.

If you would like to find out more about staying at Birdoswald, please call 01697 747602 for a residential pack.

Opening Times

* Closed 24-26 December, 31 December & 1 January.

Guide Prices

Adult £6.10, concessions £5.50, child £3.70, family (2 adults and 3 children) £15.90. Prices exclude Gift Aid. Group rates available. Free to English Heritage members

Facilities

Accessibility

  • Disabled access
  • Disabled toilets

Booking & Payment Details

  • Credit cards accepted (no fee)

Catering

  • On-site catering
  • On-site light refreshments
  • Picnic site

Children

  • Baby changing facilities
  • Children welcome

Groups

  • Education/study area
  • Facilities for educational visits

Meeting, Conference & Wedding Facilities

  • Facilities for conferencing
  • Facilities for corporate hospitality

Parking

  • Free Parking

Property Facilities

  • Dogs Accepted
  • Gift shop
  • Public toilets

Site Features

  • English Heritage Property
  • Regional Tourist Board Member

Target Markets

  • Accepts groups
  • Coach parties accepted

Tripadvisor

Awards

  • Other AwardsSelf-assessed Accessibility Information Self-assessed Accessibility Information 2020
  • Visit EnglandVistEngland VAQAS Gold VistEngland VAQAS Gold 2018
  • Visit BritainWe're Good to Go We're Good to Go 2020
  • Cumbria AwardsMember of Cumbria Tourism Member of Cumbria Tourism 2016

Map & Directions

Map Link

Click here to view map

Road Directions

Signposted from A69, 2 miles west of Gilsland, 8 miles east of Brampton.Accessible by Public Transport.

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