Housesteads Roman Fort and Museum

About the museum

Housesteads lies midway along Hadrian's Wall and is the most complete Roman fort in Britain. It was built within about ten years of AD 122, when work on the Wall began, and its Roman name was Vercovicium. The fort covers around five acres and held an infantry garrison of some 800 men until the end of the 4th century. The longest-known occupants were the First Cohort of Tungrians, soldiers recruited from the area of Tongres in what is now Belgium. Excavation has uncovered the headquarters, the commanding officer's house, the hospital, barracks and granaries, as well as the remains of a civilian settlement outside the walls.

The fort stands on the Whin Sill escarpment in Northumberland National Park, and from the north wall visitors look out along a stretch of the Wall that is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the best-known remains are the communal latrines used by the soldiers.

The site is owned by the National Trust and managed by English Heritage. The museum beside the fort shows Roman finds from Housesteads, including altars, dedication stones, jewellery, tools and weapons, some of them back on display at the fort for the first time in centuries. An exhibition explains how soldiers and their families lived on this northern frontier of the Roman Empire. The museum and its shop are step-free.

Highlights

• Britain's most complete Roman fort, with barracks, hospital and commanding officer's house
• Museum of Roman altars, dedication stones, jewellery, tools and weapons
• The soldiers' communal latrines
• Views along Hadrian's Wall from the fort's north wall
• Family trails with Felix the Roman soldier and the World Builder forest trail

Permanent exhibition

• Housesteads museum and exhibition – An interactive exhibition on the lives of soldiers and their families, with Roman altars, dedication stones, jewellery, tools and weapons found at the fort.

Founded

1936

Operated by

English Heritage (site owned by the National Trust)

Admission & discounts

Prices for online tickets bought in advance (without donation) vary by day: adult £9.26 off-peak, £10.79 standard and £12.32 peak; concession £8.50 to £11.56; child £4.59 to £6.12; family £23.12 to £30.85. Tickets bought on the day cost more (adult £10.90 to £14.50). Tickets are valid all day, and a voluntary donation can be added to the ticket price. Entry is free for English Heritage and National Trust members. Travelling by the AD122 bus gives 20% off a walk-up ticket.

Accessibility

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

The museum and its shop are step-free, but access to the site is limited and a companion is recommended. The path from the car park is a 750-metre walk uphill on gravel, the path to the fort is grass, and the fort itself is very steep and uneven in places. Four accessible parking spaces are next to the museum, reached by a farm track and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis; visitors should ask at the National Trust visitor centre for directions. Cars can set down at the entrance. Accessible toilets and an adult changing area are provided, a wheelchair can be borrowed, and induction loops are fitted at the till points. Braille guides and torches are available, and there is no lift or on-site transport. Assistance dogs are welcome and a dog bowl is provided.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

Children can dress up, handle replica Roman objects and explore the exhibition and fort with Felix the Roman soldier, who also provides easy-read material. A World Builder trail about forests is available, and there is plenty of open space where families can fly kites. Pushchairs are allowed, but the path is steep and uneven. Baby changing is in the National Trust toilets.

Getting there & parking

The fort and museum are an uphill walk from the car park. Bardon Mill is 4 miles away. Satnav postcode NE47 6NN. Bike racks are available on site.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The National Trust visitor centre and café are closed while changes are made. A coffee cart and toilets are open daily in the car park and at the fort. The English Heritage shop, attached to the museum, sells Roman-themed souvenirs, snacks, ice cream and hot and cold drinks. There is a picnic area, with picnic blankets provided in summer. Toilets with baby changing are in the National Trust toilet block by the car park.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit