Forts & Settlements

   Along Hadrian's Wall at intervals varying between 5km and 12 km were the forts built to house the soldiers that manned the frontier. There were already a number of forts and camps in the area, but new forts were also built along the line of the Wall. The best known of these is the fort at Housesteads, built in the second phase of construction when forts were built alongside or even astride the Wall. Housesteads is built on the edge of the Whin Sill crags and commands a strategic position overlooking Ridley Common.

Vindolanda Fort was built before Hadrian's Wall, to the south, along the route of the Stanegate. As at most of the forts along the wall, Vindolanda shows evidence for the growth of a civilian settlement (vicus) around it. Amongst the buildings were a lodge for travellers (mansio), a bath house, workshops, and temples.

 
  As well as the permanent stone built forts, throughout the length of the wall there is evidence for temporary camps like the group of three at Haltwhistle Burn. Some of these may have been used by troops involved with the construction of the wall whilst others may have been practice works to keep soldiers stationed on the Wall in training for campaign work.

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