Best Roman Forts to Visit in Britain

A visit to Vindolanda, located just south of Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, offers an immersive experience into the life of a Roman fort and settlement. Vindolanda is renowned for its exceptional archaeological discoveries, including the Vindolanda Tablets, which provide a rare and intimate glimpse into the daily lives of Roman soldiers and civilians. The site, which dates back to the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, includes the remains of barracks, a bathhouse, a granary, and even a shrine. Visitors can explore the well-preserved foundations and imagine the bustling activity that once took place in this key military outpost.

The museum at Vindolanda enhances the experience by displaying a wealth of artifacts recovered from the site, including pottery, tools, and clothing, alongside the famous tablets. The site’s interactive exhibitions and walking tours bring the history of the fort to life, offering insights into the Roman military, their interactions with the local population, and the everyday struggles and triumphs of life on the edge of the Roman Empire. The picturesque surroundings of the Northumberland countryside provide a beautiful backdrop to the site, making it a must-visit for history lovers and anyone keen to explore the rich Roman heritage of Britain.

Vercovicium, now recognized as Housesteads Roman Fort, was an important auxiliary fort located along Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, England. Constructed around 124 CE, shortly after the completion of Hadrian’s Wall, the fort was strategically placed to control movement and provide defense along the frontier of Roman Britain. Over the centuries, the fort was rebuilt and expanded several times, reflecting changes in military tactics and the growing needs of the Roman garrison. It remained in use until its abandonment in 409 CE, during the decline of Roman control in Britain. The fort’s location on the rugged terrain of the Wall offers sweeping views of the surrounding countryside, providing a glimpse into the tough life endured by Roman soldiers stationed in this isolated outpost.

Spanning an area of 4 acres, Housesteads Roman Fort contains an impressive array of buildings that were vital to the fort’s daily operations. Among these structures are the fort’s headquarters (principia), which served as the administrative and ceremonial center, the commander’s house (praetorium), where the fort’s leader resided, and granaries that housed the essential food supplies for the soldiers. The barracks, which housed the soldiers, and a hospital (valetudinarium) for medical treatment can also be explored, offering visitors insight into the organization and living conditions of Roman military life. Notably, the fort is home to some of the best-preserved latrines in Roman Britain, demonstrating the Romans’ advanced approach to sanitation. To the south of the fort, a substantial civil settlement (vicus) flourished, where civilians and traders lived and worked. In a remarkable discovery within the vicus, two skeletons were found buried beneath a newly laid floor, an area that has been dubbed “The Murder House” due to the mysterious circumstances surrounding their deaths. This finding adds an intriguing layer to the history of the fort, hinting at the complexities of life in a Roman frontier settlement.

Birdoswald Roman Fort, located on the northwestern edge of Hadrian’s Wall in Cumbria, is one of the most scenic Roman sites to visit in Britain. Nestled amidst the rolling hills of the North Pennines, the fort offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, making it a stunning spot to explore Roman history. The fort was originally built around 120 CE and served as a key military outpost, housing a garrison of auxiliary troops tasked with defending the western frontier of Roman Britannia. Visitors can walk along the remains of the wall, see the outlines of the fort’s buildings, and imagine what life was like for the soldiers who lived and worked there. The site also features a small museum that displays artifacts uncovered during excavations, providing fascinating insights into Roman military life and the fort’s role in the larger network of forts along Hadrian’s Wall.

In addition to the fort itself, Birdoswald Roman Fort is home to one of the best-preserved stretches of Hadrian’s Wall, offering visitors the chance to experience a significant part of this UNESCO World Heritage Site up close. The fort’s position was strategic, and its defensive walls and gates are still visible today, allowing for a deeper understanding of the architecture and engineering used by the Romans. The site is perfect for history enthusiasts and families alike, with ample information boards, a welcoming visitor center, and scenic walking trails that highlight the fort’s location in the beautiful Cumbrian countryside. Whether you’re a fan of Roman history or just love exploring ancient ruins in spectacular settings, Birdoswald Roman Fort is a must-see.

Segedunum, located at modern-day Wallsend in Tyne and Wear, England, was an important Roman fort that served as the easternmost point of Hadrian’s Wall. Positioned near the banks of the River Tyne, the fort was a strategic military installation that played a crucial role in defending the Roman Empire’s northern frontier in Britain. The fort was in continuous use for about 300 years, from its construction in the early 2nd century until around 400 CE, and its remains provide valuable insights into Roman military life in the region. Segedunum’s location at the end of Hadrian’s Wall meant it was pivotal in both overseeing the frontier and controlling access to the Roman province of Britannia.

The fort was initially garrisoned by an unknown cohort, but by the 2nd century, the Second Cohort of Nervians was stationed there, providing protection and maintaining order in the area. In the 3rd and 4th centuries, the fort saw a new garrison: the Fourth Cohort of the Lingones, a part-mounted unit, which is recorded in the Notitia Dignitatum, a late Roman document detailing the organization of the Empire’s military. Evidence from archaeological digs suggests that an extensive vicus, or civilian settlement, grew up around the fort, extending to the north of the wall. This village would have supported the fort’s military garrison and played a vital role in trade and daily life. Today, Segedunum is home to a modern visitor center and museum, offering visitors a chance to explore the fort’s ruins and learn about its history, including the remains of the wall, bathhouses, and other structures that once served as part of this significant military outpost.

Arbeia Roman Fort, located in South Shields, Tyne & Wear, England, is one of the most significant and partially reconstructed Roman military sites along Hadrian’s Wall. Built around 120 CE, it was strategically positioned overlooking the River Tyne on Lawe Top, a prime location for controlling access to the river and surrounding lands. The name “Arbeia” is believed to mean “fort of the Arab troops,” suggesting that the fort was once garrisoned by a unit of specialized soldiers, possibly a squadron of Mesopotamian boatmen who came from the region of the Tigris River. These troops are thought to have played a vital role in defending the northern frontier of the Roman Empire, particularly with regard to controlling river traffic and ensuring a steady supply of goods to Hadrian’s Wall.

Arbeia served as a crucial supply and garrison fort for the Roman army, specifically functioning as a maritime and supply hub for Hadrian’s Wall. Its position allowed it to manage the river trade and provide logistical support to the Roman forces stationed along the Wall, ensuring they were well-supplied with food, equipment, and reinforcements. The fort itself was a key part of the Roman military infrastructure, housing a significant garrison and featuring a range of buildings, including barracks, a granary, and storage facilities. One of its most notable features is its partially reconstructed entrance gate, which is an impressive example of Roman engineering. Arbeia continued to function as a military post until the collapse of Roman authority in Britain during the 5th century. Following its abandonment, the site slowly fell into disuse, but ongoing excavations and research have revealed much about the fort’s role in Roman Britain. Today, Arbeia offers visitors the chance to explore its reconstructed structures, including a portion of its fortified wall, bathhouse, and various artifacts, providing a vivid glimpse into life at one of the most important military sites in the Roman province of Britannia.

Hardknott Roman Fort, originally known as Mediobogdum, is nestled on the rugged terrain of Hardknott Pass in the picturesque fells of the Lake District, Cumbria. Situated at an altitude of 800 feet, the fort’s location on a rocky spur provided its defenders with a commanding and strategic vantage point over the River Esk, offering sweeping views of both upper and lower Eskdale. While not the highest Roman fort in Britain, its setting is undoubtedly one of the most dramatic and awe-inspiring, with the surrounding mountains and valleys contributing to its formidable presence. The fort’s positioning on this challenging landscape underscores its importance as a military stronghold, guarding the western access route into the interior of Roman Britain.

Mediobogdum was constructed between 120 CE and 138 CE, during the early years of Hadrian’s Wall’s construction. It served as a key outpost along the frontier, offering defense and control of the surrounding region. However, the fort was temporarily abandoned during the Antonine advance into Scotland in the mid-2nd century, likely due to strategic shifts in Roman military priorities. Despite this, the fort was reoccupied around 200 CE, when it was rebuilt and fortified once again to meet the needs of the Roman garrison. It continued to serve as a military post throughout the late Roman period, remaining in use until the final years of the 4th century. Today, visitors can explore the remains of the fort, including its foundations, bathhouse, and the remnants of its defensive walls, all set against one of the most stunning backdrops in Britain.

Binchester Roman Fort, also known as Vinovia or Vinovium, was a significant Roman fort and vicus located on the banks of the River Wear in County Durham. Built around 79 CE, the fort was strategically positioned to guard the river crossing and the crucial Roman road that connected York, Hadrian’s Wall, and the northern borderlands of the empire. Its placement was vital for controlling access to the heart of Roman Britain and maintaining secure communication between key military outposts. Over its history, Binchester underwent several phases of construction and expansion, each reflecting the changing needs of the Roman military.

One of the most notable transformations at Binchester was its reduction in size, from a large fort covering 17 acres—enough to accommodate a battle-group made up of several cohorts of legionary infantry—down to a smaller fort garrisoned by cavalry units. This shift indicates a change in military tactics and the fort’s role within the Roman defense system. Unlike many other Roman forts that were abandoned during the collapse of the empire, Binchester’s surrounding area remained inhabited well after Britannia ceased to be a Roman province. The local population continued to occupy the region, with the remnants of the fort and its structures standing as a testament to both Roman and post-Roman settlement. Today, visitors to Binchester can explore the fort’s impressive ruins, including its bathhouse and part of the fort’s defensive walls, as well as enjoy the site’s extensive archaeological finds.

Cilurnum, also known as Cilurvum, was a key fort situated along Hadrian’s Wall, near the village of Walwick in Northumberland. Built in 123 CE, shortly after the completion of Hadrian’s Wall, Cilurnum is considered one of the best-preserved Roman cavalry forts in Britain. The fort’s strategic location was pivotal for the Roman military, guarding a critical crossing point at Chesters Bridge, a major route on the Military Way that connected various forts along the Wall. The Military Way was a vital road used by the Roman army for swift movement and communication, running parallel to Hadrian’s Wall and linking forts such as Cilurnum to other key military installations.

Cilurnum was designed not only to defend the bridge but also to serve as a staging post for retaliatory raids into the territories of the barbarian tribes to the north of Hadrian’s Wall. The fort would have housed a unit of cavalry, likely a part of the Roman auxiliary forces, which were tasked with protecting the frontier from incursions and ensuring the security of the Roman province. The fortification itself is laid out with the typical Roman military precision, with a spacious barracks, headquarters building, granaries, and bathhouse. Visitors to Cilurnum can explore its remarkably preserved walls and structures, offering insight into life on the Roman frontier. The fort also contains several important archaeological finds, including inscriptions and artifacts that help scholars understand its function and the role it played in the Roman military strategy along Hadrian’s Wall. The site is a fascinating reminder of the complex system of defense and control that the Romans maintained in Britain during their occupation.

Segontium Roman Fort, located on the outskirts of Caernarfon in Gwynedd, North Wales, is one of the most significant Roman military sites in the region. Established around 77-78 CE by the Roman general Agricola following his conquest of the Ordovices tribe in North Wales, Segontium was a key military base and administrative hub for the Roman Empire in this part of Britannia. The fort was strategically positioned near the Afon Seiont river, offering easy access to the surrounding land and providing an effective base from which the Romans could control the area. It is believed that the fort’s name derives from either the Afon Seiont or from a nearby British settlement, potentially connected to the Segontiaci tribe, a group mentioned by Julius Caesar in his writings.

Segontium was an important Roman stronghold, garrisoned by auxiliaries from regions such as present-day Belgium and Germany, and was designed to accommodate around 1,000 auxiliary infantrymen. These soldiers played a crucial role in maintaining Roman authority in the northwest of Wales, guarding the Roman frontier against local tribes and ensuring the peace in the conquered territories. The fort also served as an administrative centre, overseeing the governance of Roman Wales and acting as a command post for Roman operations in the region. Over the centuries, Segontium became one of the most prominent forts in Roman Britain, continuing to function as a military base until the collapse of Roman rule in the 5th century. Today, visitors to Segontium can explore the remains of its defensive walls, gates, and other buildings, which offer a glimpse into the fort’s once-important role in the Roman military infrastructure. The site also features a museum with artifacts uncovered during excavations, further illuminating the fort’s history and the role it played in the Roman occupation of Wales.

Visiting Richborough Roman Fort in Kent offers a fascinating journey back in time to the very beginning of Roman Britain. The fort is a key historical site, marking the point of entry for the Roman invasion in 43 CE. As one of the best-preserved Roman forts in Britain, it provides an impressive look at the grandeur of Roman military architecture. The remains of the monumental gatehouse, which once served as the main entrance to the fort, stand tall and offer a striking example of Roman engineering. Visitors can walk along the fort’s defensive walls and explore the various ruins that give insight into the daily life of the soldiers stationed there.

In addition to its military history, Richborough Roman Fort also provides stunning views of the surrounding countryside, making it a pleasant and educational stop for history enthusiasts. The site is equipped with informative displays that detail the fort’s construction and the role it played in the Roman occupation of Britain. The visitor center offers more context with artifacts uncovered from the site, helping to bring the rich history of Richborough to life. With its strategic location along the Roman road, it’s easy to imagine the fort’s importance as a key entry point into the province of Britannia, making it a must-visit for anyone interested in Roman history and archaeology.