The remains of a small temple to the native god 'Antenociticus', in the 'vicus' (civilian settlement) which stood outside Benwell fort.

For those who want an introduction to Hadrian's Wall in Cumbria, or an overview of its history and appearance at one single site, Birdoswald is the place to visit. Not only can a Roman fort, turret and milecastle all be seen here: but also, to the east, the longest continuous stretch of Wall visible today. The Visitor Centre has interesting displays and reconstructions, tracing the history of the Wall via audiovisuals, strikingly life-like figures and excavated artefacts: these also tell the intriguing story of Birdoswald and its people over the past 2,000 years. Birdoswald likewise has the best preserved defences of any of the 16 major forts which supported Hadrian's frontier system. Known to the Romans as 'Banna', from the early 3rd century its garrison was a thousand-strong infantry unit originating in Dacia (modern Romania). Three main gates of their fortress are still traceable, along with perimeter walls, angle towers, granaries and an unusual drill hall. Overlaying these, another distinctive feature of Birdoswald, are the remains of the successive buildings raised here after the Roman withdrawal. First, in the 5th century, a large timber hall - now marked out by posts - was built, perhaps for a local British chieftain. Later a medieval fortified tower rose here, replaced by an Elizabethan 'bastle house', a defence against the notorious 'Border Reivers'. Finally the present attractively turreted farmhouse was built: its outbuildings now house a cosy teashop, a well-stocked shop for souvenirs, and the displays. The fort sits along the line of the Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail and is the perfect resting place for walkers. Accommodation If you would like to stay within the walls of the fort, there is a 39-bed residential centre, which can be booked for groups. A great base for exploring this and other sites on the Wall, it is also an excellent educational resource. To find out more about staying at Birdoswald, please call 016977 47602 for a residential pack.

A 460-metre (1,509 feet) length of Hadrian's Wall including one turret. Please note: It is not possible for visitors to park here.

Wall section and a surviving piece of turret 2 1⁄2 metres (8.2 feet) high, built by men of the Twentieth Legion.

A fine stretch of Hadrian's Wall on a steep slope, with turrets and an impressive milecastle, probably built by the Second Legion.

Close to Chesters Roman Fort are the remains of a bridge which carried Hadrian's Wall across the North Tyne. Visible on both river banks, they are most impressive on the eastern side.

Picturesquely set in the beautiful valley of the River North Tyne, Chesters is the best-preserved example of a Roman cavalry fort in Britain. The site also features a museum restored to its Victorian glory, containing an amazing collection of archaeological discoveries. Known as 'Cilurnum', Chesters was one of the series of permanent forts added during the construction of the Wall. It housed a garrison of some 500 troops, by the 3rd century a cavalry regiment from Asturias in northern Spain. There is much still to see, including remains of all four principal gates; the headquarters building with courtyard, hall and regimental shrine; and the elaborate and luxurious commandant's house. Even better preserved, between the fort and the river, is the garrison's bath house. This still displays the complex of rooms which offered customers hot, cold or steam baths, as well as a changing-room cum club house with niches for statues of gods. Hundreds of Roman finds from the central section of the Wall, retrieved by the Victorian antiquarian John Clayton, are crowded into Chesters' highly distinctive museum. This fine Victorian building has now been refurbished, with its original colour-scheme and 'traditional' museum layout.

Visitors to Corbridge can walk along the main street of this Roman garrison town, flanked by the remains of granaries, a fountain house, markets, workshops and temples. Astride the intersection of Roman Dere Street and Stanegate, Corbridge was initially the site of a series of important forts. But after Hadrian's Wall was fully commissioned it developed into a prosperous town, a tempting leave-centre for off-duty Wall garrisons. Abandoned after the collapse of Roman rule in Britain, the town centre has been systematically excavated, producing the fascinating array of finds now most attractively displayed in the site museum. Covering every aspect of Roman life, the artefacts here include the tombstone of little Ertola, who 'lived most happily four years and sixty days', shown still playing with her ball: and the famous Corbridge lion carving, the recognised symbol of the site. His counterpart, Grricola the Roman lion, takes younger visitors on a trail around the museum, finding his favourite items. There is also an audio guide to the site.

A mile-long section of the Wall, rebuilt in stone later in Hadrian's reign. It is linked to Birdoswald Roman Fort.

A consolidated stretch of Wall, up to 2 metres (61⁄2 feet) thick in places.

Housesteads is the most complete example of a Roman fort anywhere in Britain, and among the most popular sites on the Wall. It stands high on the wild Whin Sill escarpment, flanked by dramatic stretches of the Wall. The permanent fort of Housesteads was known as 'Vercovicium','the place of effective fighters'. It was garrisoned by around 1,000 infantry (generally Tungrians from what is now Belgium), later reinforced by Germanic cavalry. Entry is via a small museum, containing a fine model of the fort and locally excavated carvings, including images of the mysterious 'hooded gods'. Displaying the imposing remains of four gateways and a turreted curtain wall, the fort itself is crowded with clearly traceable buildings, including the head-quarters, commandant's house, barracks, hospital - and the renowned communal latrines. The fort lies uphill from the car park (via a fairly strenuous 10 minute walk, which also gives access to Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail). The museum has extensive handling collections for schools of real and replica Roman objects.

Turrets west of Birdoswald: Piper Sike has a cooking-hearth.

The remains of one of a network of signal towers predating Hadrian's Wall, Pike Hill was later joined to the Wall at an angle of 45 degrees.

A 15-metre (49 feet) length of narrow Wall on broad foundations, reflecting a change of policy during construction concerning the thickness of the Wall.

One of the best-preserved milecastles on Hadrian's Wall, Poltross includes an oven, a stair to the rampart walk, and the remains of its north gateway.

A length of Wall with milecastle remains, impressively sited along the Whin Sill, commanding fine views of many prehistoric and later earthworks to the north.

Near Carrawburgh fort stands a fascinating temple to the eastern god Mithras, with facsimiles of altars found during excavation. Sited like many Mithraic temples near a military base, it was founded in the 3rd century, and eventually desecrated, probably by Christians. Nearby, but no longer visible, was the shrine of the water nymph Coventina.

An extensively excavated fort and much-studied civilian settlement.

One of the best places of all to see the Wall, dramatically snaking and diving along the crags of the Whin Sill.

A fine 914 metre (2,999 feet) stretch of Wall, including two turrets and impressive bridge remains beside the River Irthing. Linked by a bridge to Birdoswald Roman Fort.