Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort
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Arbeia Roman Fort at South Shields is a fascinating place which will probably stand up to repeated visits, particularly if there is an event there to see. I hadn't read anything about this Roman Fort before going which may have been for the best because I was very pleasantly surprised at how much there was to see and the size of the place. I only knew that there was some ruins found in a housing estate in South Shields and it was free to enter, nothing more. When you arrive there is a visitor centre with a good range of artefacts, exhibits (including a skeleton displayed in the floor!), and even some technology, with two headstones being brought to life (for want of a better phrase) with a short statement purportedly from that person about who they were and what their life was like. I was impressed by the range of books, models/toy helmets and swords, and other things in the gift shop which would be perfect to call in on the way out you want to find out more about the Roman Empire, or any children want a Gladiator-style helmet, sweets, a chilled canned drink from the fridge, or a Horrible Histories book. After that, you go outside to the ruins of the fort, some of which have been rebuilt to 'proper' buildings to give you an even bigger appreciation of life at the thought, whether it's for the common soldier or the Commander. One room has a TV which plays a short film about the history behind the fort, the excavations, and the contributions from two of the people involved in the archaeological dig and have found Roman artefacts make archaeology, in a similar way to something like Time Team, sound very exciting and emotionally rewarding. It's a very strange place because of the location. Unlike most Roman sites, this isn't surrounded by fields or other similar sites, but terraced housing. It's very incongruous but makes you wonder how much of this country was under Roman occupation and the chances of finding potentially priceless historical artefacts in your back garden, a public park, or a field – I guess there's a reason why people (like Lance and Andy in the TV show 'Detectorists') spend so much time outside metal detectors!
David BeckettDavid Beckett
00
All FREE A UNESCO World Heritage Site (under frontiers of the Roman empire on UNESCO site) with the finest full-scale Roman reconstructions in the country and showcases some of the most significant finds from that time. Arbeia was a large Roman fort, now ruined, which has been partially reconstructed. It was first excavated in the 1870s. All modern buildings on the site were cleared in the 1970s. The fort was built in 129 AD as a small cohort fort, a few years later than most of the Hadrian's Wall forts, on the Lawe Top overlooking the mouth of the River Tyne and four miles beyond the eastern end of Hadrian’s wall, from where it guarded the flank and main sea supply route to the Wall and the small port on the south of the Tyne. A great place to visit if you're interested in Roman History, a small museum but very interesting, plus the reconstructed buildings on the original foundations were really good, but looking a bit tired, as it's free and reliant on donations.
Pete / HelPete / Hel
00
Really nice to talk to the two staff here who show great enthusiasm for the history of this place. Whilst only the foundations are left here, together with the excellent stone work found in the area, it's enough to create the story of this place. Granaries and Barracks are clearly marked out and the Commanders House has been reconstructed based on a design used across the Roman Empire plus findings on this site. Likewise the Gatehouse is a reconstruction completed in 1988. Great display of Roman silver coins found here in the museum. You can park for free on the roads around here, then if you want, follow a part of the heritage trail through North Marine Park down to Littlehaven Beach and the Pier.
Miles MacdonaldMiles Macdonald
40
This a little hidden gem in South Shields. The fantastic work undertaken on the site, the reconstruction of buildings and amounts of finds is wonderful. The reconstruction of the commanding officers house, barracks, herb garden and gate are excellent. The finds in the museum are wonderful from the Roman mail to the broaches and alters. Situated in the heart of South Shields, the site is free to enter. Parking is on street. We made a donation via contactless machine as it’s so worth the visit. The staff on site were very friendly and knowledgable. They advised they still have a least 100 years left to excavate on the site. Would recommend a visit.
Angela WilliamsAngela Williams
50
The "extra" fort of Hadrian's wall located where the River Tune enters the North Sea. While this fort is not part of the Hadrian wall system, it was an important Roman fort to bring supplies into that part of Roman Britain. This site has a reconstruction of one of the gates that is also serves as a museum. Free admission to the museum! many people who walk the Adrian's wall path will later on visit this fort as an extra bonus for their adventure. Of course you don't have to walk the wall to go there in South shields there are various ways of getting there by public transit. Highly recommended.
Mychael KostiukMychael Kostiuk
00
For something that’s free to visit, you do see a lot. It was great to walk around and visualise what it must have been like as a Roman soldier at the time. I came here by accident as the Roman fort at Wallsend was closed unexpectedly. I’m glad I could get in. The museum exhibits were wonderful. Two downsides were the gift shop was a wee bit small, and the toilet paper in the toilets were small to use, a roll would’ve been better in the ladies. Plenty of benches to sit amongst the site too, I had my lunch here. Would recommend to visit.
Kathryn HallKathryn Hall
10
Nearby Attractions Of Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort
Ocean Beach Pleasure Park
South Marine Park
North Marine Park
Haven Point
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery
The Old Low Light
Littlehaven Beach
Lakeshore Railroad
Herd Groyne Lighthouse

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Basic Info
Address
Baring St, South Shields NE33 2BB, United Kingdom
Map
Phone
+44 191 277 1409
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Website
arbeiaromanfort.org.uk
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Reviews
Overview
4.6
(502 reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
family friendly
accessibility
Description
Arbeia was a large Roman fort in South Shields, Tyne & Wear, England, now ruined, and which has been partially reconstructed. It was first excavated in the 1870s and all modern buildings on the site were cleared in the 1970s. It is managed by Tyne and Wear Museums as Arbeia Roman Fort and Museum.
attractions: Ocean Beach Pleasure Park, South Marine Park, North Marine Park, Haven Point, South Shields Museum & Art Gallery, The Old Low Light, Littlehaven Beach, Lakeshore Railroad, Herd Groyne Lighthouse, restaurants: Colmans Fish and Chips, The Wouldhave - JD Wetherspoon, Low Lights Tavern, How Do You Do, Cassia Sambuca, The Ship’s Cat, Mambo Wine and Dine, Sambuca South Shields, Sambuca 1, Radhuni

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