Name: Chesters Roman Fort and Museum - Hadrian's Wall
Address: Chollerford, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 4EU
Telephone: 01434 681379

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Chesters Roman Fort and Museum - Hadrian's Wall

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Address

Chollerford, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 4EU

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Things to See and Do

What you need to know

We've made some changes to help keep you safe, and things might be a little different when you visit. Here's everything you need to know.

Do we need to Book?

You don’t need to book your ticket in advance, but you will always get the best price and guaranteed entry by booking online ahead of your visit.

If you are a Member and wish to book, your ticket is still free.

Your booking is for the site/event only and does not guarantee a car parking space, which may carry an additional charge.

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Booking FAQs

Keeping you Safe

Our staff are still working hard to keep everyone safe. We’re continuing with enhanced cleaning and you’ll find hand sanitiser stations on site. Our staff are continuing to wear a face covering in our busy areas and indoor spaces, and we encourage you to do the same. You can also help us keep you and other visitors safe by not visiting if you have symptoms or have been asked to self-isolate.

General Safety Information

Do I need to wear a face covering?

Our staff are continuing to wear a face covering in our busy areas and indoor spaces, and we encourage you to do the same.

I still have questions.

The answers to all frequently asked questions can be found on our FAQ page.

Read our FAQs

Timeline

124Hadrian's Wall Fort

A turret on the Wall is demolished to make way for Chesters fort, one of 15 built along Hadrian's Wall.

124-40Early Roman Residents

A 500-man cavalry unit, the 'ala Augusta ob virtutem appellata', is stationed at the fort.

Find out more about the history of Chesters Roman Fort

138Break from Cavalry

The 1st cohort of Dalmatians, an infantry unit, carries out building works. For the first time in its history, Chesters may have temporarily ceased to be a cavalry fort.

178Back in Business

The Second Asturians ('ala II Asturum'), a cavalry unit from northern Spain, settle here and completely rebuild the barracks.

Read a description of Chesters Roman Fort

180-250Civilian Settlements

Outside the fort walls, civilian settlements (vici) grow and prosper.

4th CenturyInherited Duties

The Chesters unit adopts compulsory hereditary service and soldiers are mainly paid in kind. The outer settlements are probably abandoned.

Early 5th CenturyRemaining Cavalry

The Second Asturians remain at Chesters, increasingly cut off from the weakening Roman Empire.

675Stripped for Parts

Saxon builders dismantle the remains of the Roman bridge, using the stone for a church at Hexham.

Find out more about the Roman bridge at Chesters

1796Buried Ruins

Nathaniel Clayton buys the estate, levelling the ruins and grassing them over to form a park.

1832John Clayton's Reign

Nathaniel's son John Clayton, a lawyer and Roman enthusiast, inherits the property.

1843-90Extensive Excavations

Clayton devotes every Monday to excavations. Chief workmen are William Tailford and his son, who spends 45 years excavating Chesters.

1890-5Continuing Legacy

After John Clayton's death, his son Nathaniel takes over the excavations and builds a museum to house his father's Roman finds.

See highlights of the collection at Chesters

1946State Ownership

The eastern bridge abutment, fort, wall and baths to the east are taken over by the Ministry of Works.

1982-91Modern Research

Excavation and surveys take place on the eastern and western bridge abutments, the only large-scale work of this type completed after the Claytons.

Learn more about the history of Chesters Roman Fort

Nearby Places
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Chesters Bridge Abutment - Hadrian's Wall
0.28 miles from Chesters Roman Fort and Museum - Hadrian's Wall
Brunton Turret - Hadrian's Wall
0.7 miles from Chesters Roman Fort and Museum - Hadrian's Wall
Planetrees Roman Wall - Hadrian's Wall
1.11 miles from Chesters Roman Fort and Museum - Hadrian's Wall

Chesters Bridge Abutment - Hadrian's Wall
0.28 miles from Chesters Roman Fort and Museum - Hadrian's Wall
Brunton Turret - Hadrian's Wall
0.7 miles from Chesters Roman Fort and Museum - Hadrian's Wall
Planetrees Roman Wall - Hadrian's Wall
1.11 miles from Chesters Roman Fort and Museum - Hadrian's Wall

Nearby Places
- Chesters Bridge Abutment - Hadrian's Wall
  0.28 miles from Chesters Roman Fort and Museum - Hadrian's Wall
- Brunton Turret - Hadrian's Wall
  0.7 miles from Chesters Roman Fort and Museum - Hadrian's Wall
- Planetrees Roman Wall - Hadrian's Wall
  1.11 miles from Chesters Roman Fort and Museum - Hadrian's Wall
Similar Places
- Chesters Bridge Abutment - Hadrian's Wall
  0.28 miles from Chesters Roman Fort and Museum - Hadrian's Wall
- Brunton Turret - Hadrian's Wall
  0.7 miles from Chesters Roman Fort and Museum - Hadrian's Wall
- Planetrees Roman Wall - Hadrian's Wall
  1.11 miles from Chesters Roman Fort and Museum - Hadrian's Wall

Gallery for Chesters Roman Fort and Museum - Hadrian's Wall

English Heritage

Book your visit

Keeping you safe

Things to See and Do

New Exhibition: Wood of the Well

Bathhouse and river views

Museum of Roman Finds

Roman Cavalry Fort

Chesters Tearoom