Came for a roman exhibition and battle display, it was very good, they had working catapults etc and put on a fighting display.. read more

Birdoswald Roman Fort - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Brampton, CMA

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A low, late morning sun through bleak winter trees covered in moss and frost.....a quintessential English countryside view....and unbelievably beautiful. We happened upon Hadrian's Wall by accident on a freezing Saturday morning, having seen the brown tourists signs to a desination that has been on my "bucket list" since I was about 13 and learned about it in school on the other side of the world. How magical to just happen upon it one morning, quite by mistake! The Roman Fort in Birdoswald was practically empty - but we were still greeted with smiles and banter and the good news that Scottish Heritage cards mean free entry to the Fort. Excellent - that entrance fee will go on coffee & cake after a wee explore! The exhibition itself is well laid-out and with enough mixed media to keep even bored people interested, although I always wonder about the artists who make the replica food for these installations - I don't think Hiroshi Nagashima will be handing out any stars! That being said, the information is excellent and the museum is a good yet relatively brief introduction to the Wall and the history of this particular area of it; I do recommend buying the small booklet on the history of the Wall - especially when entry is free. Walking around the grounds, there are further boards and the frosty morning really was the most amazing time to see it - the Wall itself is an incredible feat; the tramworks people in Edinburgh could learn a lot, considering the Wall spans the width of the entire country and was completed in 7 years - and is still in pretty good condition hundreds of years later! The wee cafe is clean, functional and not uncomfortable. More importantly, the coffee is good and the malteser slice we decided to share was good enough to make us wonder if sharing wasn't the way to go! We will definitely come back and do some walking along the wall when we have appropriate shoes - for now, it was just a thrill to touch it, to see it, to have a magical morning become even more so with the reminder of amazing things it's possible to simply stumble upon. read more

A Roman fort, turret and milecastle can all be seen on this excellent stretch of what was once Hadrian's Wall. With probably the best-preserved defences of any Wall fort, this was an important base for some 1,000 Roman soldiers. The section of Wall to the east, also of stone replacing turf, is the longest continuous stretch visible today. Archaeological discoveries 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. 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 here over the past 2,000 years. There is also a tearoom, and a well-stocked shop for souvenirs. read more

A good stopping point on the Hadrians Wall Path. Good views from the wall, you can get a hot drink and refreshments take a toilet break. Weather permitting you can sit at a picnic table in pleasant surroundings. If you are lucky you may see some Roman soldiers!! read more

Birdoswald Roman Fort - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Brampton, CMA

I'm afraid that I was really disappointed by my visit to Birdoswald. Maybe it was because I'd recently visited Housesteads, Vindolanda and Chesters Roman Fort and I'd been spoiled but basically I don't think Birdoswald offers value for money. As an English Heritage member I got in 'free' but for non-members it is £5.20 for an adult, £4.70 for a Concession and £3.10 for a child. Parking at the bottom of the hill will also set you back £3 (refundable for English Heritage members). On entry there is a small visitor centre with information about the history of the site and beyond that lie the remains of the Roman Fort. When we visited only one of the display boards in the main outside area had any information on them although they were clearly meant to have. I appreciate that these sites are not 'Disney' and can only present what is there for them to present but I genuinely believe that Birdoswald is very over-priced. I would be seriously unhappy if I was a parent who had paid for a family to visit here. Halve the admission prices and they would be getting somewhere close to getting it right but as it stands I can't recommend it. read more