Things to See and Do at Housesteads Roman Fort
Housesteads is Britain’s most complete Roman fort. Visit, and you can enjoy astonishing views of Hadrian’s Wall, explore Roman history in a hands-on museum, and spend time discovering the rugged Northumberland landscape. Below are some of the highlights you can enjoy when visiting Housesteads.
Explore an amazing Roman Fort
Imagine what life was like for the 800 soldiers living and working at Housesteads in the Roman period. The fort's original name was Vercovicium, meaning 'the place of the effective fighters'.
At the very edge of their empire, the soldiers were secure and self-sufficient within the fort. The 5-acre fort displays the remains of gateways and a turreted wall: inside are a wealth of clearly traceable buildings, including the commandant’s house, hospital and the famous multi-seater communal loos.
See astonishing views of Hadrian's Wall
Look east from the north wall of the fort, and you will see Hadrian's Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, standing proudly in the rugged Northumberland National Park.
The view from Housesteads’ barrack blocks overlooking Hadrian's Wall Country is a sight to behold. No wonder Housesteads became a powerful base for the Roman Army: you really can see for miles!
Have some Family Fun
Children can dress up, touch replicas of Roman objects and explore the exhibition and fort with the help of Felix the Roman soldier.
Kids can then run wild in five acres of amazing countryside, check out the famous communal toilets; and bring a kite to fly within the ruins of the fort.
Play a game of 'I spy' on the edge of the Roman Empire and get stuck into garden games on the grass.
Build your own … forest
Throughout England’s history, people have always been connected to forests, whether they lived in a palace, castle, abbey or village. Forests provided timber for building houses and firewood to keep warm, while kings and queens hunted among the trees.
What will your forest look like? Which trees, flowers, bushes and plants will you have? What animals will call it home? Follow the trail (one of four World Builder Challenge trails at our sites) and come up with your own answers.
Find out more about the World Builder Challenge trails and where you can find them.