Corbridge Roman Town

About the museum

Corbridge lies in the Tyne valley at the crossroads of the Roman roads Dere Street and the Stanegate, about 2.5 miles south of Hadrian's Wall. It began as a military fort in the 1st century AD and grew over some 350 years into a civilian town of traders, craftsmen, soldiers and officers on their way to the Wall. It is described as the most northerly town of the Roman Empire and it continued to thrive in the later years of Roman rule in Britain.

The first excavations took place in the 19th century, and a larger excavation began in 1906 under the Corbridge Excavation Committee. Annual campaigns from 1907 were among the earliest training excavations in British archaeology, and work has continued since. Visitors can walk along the original surface of the Roman main street, past the remains of granaries with their ventilation system, a fountain house and a large courtyard building.

The site museum shows objects found at Corbridge, such as armour, tools, inscribed stones, pottery and jewellery. Highlights are the Corbridge Hoard, a chest of armour and personal items buried by a Roman soldier and found in 1964, the Corbridge Lanx, a silver tray, and the Corbridge Lion, a sculpture found in 1907 that was first made for a grave and later reused as a fountain head. The site is in the care of English Heritage.

Highlights

• Walk along the original Roman main street
• Corbridge Hoard of armour and personal items found in 1964
• Corbridge Lion sculpture, found in 1907
• Granaries, a fountain house and a courtyard building
• World Builder trail for families

Permanent exhibitions

• Corbridge Museum – Armour, tools, inscribed stones, pottery and jewellery found at Corbridge, including the Corbridge Hoard, the Corbridge Lanx and the Corbridge Lion.
• Roman town and High Street – The excavated remains of the Roman town, including the main street, granaries, a fountain house and a large courtyard building.

Founded

1906

Operated by

English Heritage

Admission & discounts

Prices are for online tickets bought in advance, without the voluntary donation, and vary by day: adult £9.26 off-peak, £10.79 standard and £12.32 peak, concessions £8.50 to £11.56, children £4.59 to £6.12 and family £23.12 to £30.85. Tickets bought on the day cost more (adult £10.90 off-peak to £14.50 peak). Admission is free for English Heritage members. Visitors who arrive by bus receive 20% off a walk-up ticket on showing their bus ticket.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: not available
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The site is mostly accessible, but the paths are gravel, grass and uneven Roman paving with some steep slopes, and the surfaces can be slippery when wet. Wheelchair loan is offered. Two disabled parking bays are 3 to 4 metres from the entrance. There are accessible toilets (no adult changing area), induction loops at admissions and in the shop, braille guides and signage, torches, and audio tours; picnic benches provide seating. Assistance dogs are welcome and a dog bowl is by the entrance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

The World Builder trail invites children to create their own stories, and there is a children’s colouring and jigsaw area. Pushchairs are allowed, baby changing facilities are provided, and there are large open areas to run around in (no ball games or kites).

Getting there & parking

The site is half a mile north-west of Corbridge on a minor road and is signposted from the village. Sat-nav postcode NE45 5NT. Coaches can drop off next to the entrance.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A small shop sells English Heritage gifts and Roman-themed souvenirs. A vending machine provides hot drinks, and there are picnic benches. Dogs on leads are allowed in the grounds.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit