Roman Army Museum
Museum next to Magna Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall about the Roman soldier, with galleries, a 20-minute film and a holographic classroom.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Roman Army Museum stands at Carvoran near Greenhead, next to the site of the Roman fort of Magna and one of the best-preserved stretches of Hadrian’s Wall. It is run by the Vindolanda Charitable Trust, a charity founded in 1970 that also looks after Roman Vindolanda.
The museum tells the story of the Roman soldier, from the wider empire and the structure of the army to everyday life on the northern frontier, including training, religion, leisure and the fort’s Syrian archers. The galleries use objects from the Vindolanda collection together with life-size replicas, among them examples of Roman artillery.
Behind the museum, the fort of Magna is being excavated in a five-year programme funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund that runs until 2027, and visitors can see the excavation area and join free guided tours of the fort.
Highlights
- Three galleries on the Roman army and life on the frontier
- Twenty-minute high-definition film following a Roman soldier
- Holographic Roman classroom
- Rare helmet crest made of hair moss and a silver-gilt phalera brooch
- Replica Roman artillery and armour
- Excavations at Magna Roman Fort next door
- Founded
- 1981
- Operated by
- Vindolanda Charitable Trust
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £11 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | £6.50Child tickets are for ages 5 to 18 in full-time education. |
| Families | £302 adults and up to 3 children. |
| Saver ticket, adult (Roman Army Museum and Roman Vindolanda) | £22One visit to each site, which may be on different days. |
| Saver ticket, child (Roman Army Museum and Roman Vindolanda) | £12 |
| Saver ticket, family (Roman Army Museum and Roman Vindolanda) | £552 adults and up to 3 children. |
Standard 2026 prices at the ticket desk; booking online saves 10 per cent. Online tickets are valid for 12 months from purchase but cannot be refunded or changed. Groups of 15 or more use a separate booking process.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The Trust describes both of its museums as free of architectural barriers, with disabled parking and accessible toilets and an access statement for the museum. There are two Blue Badge spaces in the car park, and visitors can share access needs in advance through the WelcoMe app or by contacting the Trust. Only assistance dogs are allowed on the sites.
Kids & families
| Family ticket | £30 · 2 adults and up to 3 children. |
|---|
- Baby changing facilities
The museum has a baby-changing area, and breastfeeding is welcome anywhere. Family activities are held at some events, such as a Halloween bone-themed programme.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Greenhead bus stop
Local bus 685/85 (Newcastle to Carlisle via Hexham and Haltwhistle) stops at Greenhead; the seasonal AD 122 Hadrian’s Wall Bus runs from April. The nearest railway station is Haltwhistle.
By car
Free parking
Free car park for museum visitors only, with two Blue Badge spaces, two coach spaces and a picnic area. Cycle parking is next to the entrance.
- Accessible parking
Leave the A69 following the signs for the Roman Army Museum near Greenhead; the satnav postcode is CA8 7JB. The museum can also be reached from the B6318.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The café serves sandwiches, soup, snacks, hot and cold drinks and cakes, with outdoor seating in spring and summer. The shop sells souvenirs and books. Toilets are for museum visitors only.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Free guided tours of Magna Roman Fort run behind the museum. A Roman classroom with a hologram teacher can be booked in term time as part of a school visit. The film lasts about 20 minutes. |
